The National Civil Rights Museum recently hosted a symposium to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer project, an important event in the civil rights movement. The project aimed to bring national attention to the violent oppression faced by Mississippi Black residents trying to vote. Civil rights activist Judy Richardson, part of the organizing committee for the project, highlighted the sacrifices made by activists who put their lives on the line to secure voting rights for Black citizens. Attendees of the symposium, like Rachelle Brown, were moved by the stories shared and emphasized the importance of voting. Brown expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by previous generations, believing that their efforts paved the way for better opportunities for her and her family. Richardson stressed the importance of every vote, dispelling the myth that individual votes do not matter. The event was a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and the critical role that voting plays in shaping our daily lives. With Tennessee’s primary election approaching, the symposium served as a call to action for citizens of all ages to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard.
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Photo credit www.localmemphis.com
The 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project remembered on Saturday
