The murder of Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi, 12th June 1963
Summary
Medgar Evers was the only full-time NAACP employee based in Jackson, Mississippi. He led a campaign agsinst segregation in Jackson. As a result, he and his family received death threat phone calls and he was beaten up and harrased by the Ku Klux Klan. On 12th June 1963 Medgar arrived at home and walked from his car towards his front door. As he did so, he was shot in the back by somone hiding in a nearby bush. His wife and children who were home at the time came out to find him fatally wounded. That same night President Kennedy had addressed the nation on the issue of civil rights, calling for Congress to take action. President Kennedy condemned Medgar Evers' death and a rewards of $21,000 was offered for information that would lead to an arrest. Demonstraters filled the streets. A member of the Mississippi White Citizens Council was arrested and charged with the murder. |
Photos
|
Where is Jackson, Mississippi?
|
Links
http://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-should-know-about-medgar-evers http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/08/12/209877780/van-evers-honors-his-father-in-his-own-way http://www.naacp.org/pages/naacp-history-medgar-evers http://www.newseum.org/exhibits-and-theaters/temporary-exhibits/civil-rights-at-50/1963-front-pages/mississippi-free-press-06-22-63.html |
Video
|
Quotes
Medgar Evers himself: "I'm looking to be shot any time I step You can kill a man but you can't kill an idea." |