Created by
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, American, 1960 - 1970s
Congress of Racial Equality, American, founded 1942
Subject of
Schwerner, Michael, American, 1939 - 1964
Chaney, James, American, 1943 - 1964
Goodman, Andrew, American, 1943 - 1964
Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, American, founded 1964
Date
June 21, 1965
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 14 x 8 1/2 in. (35.6 x 21.6 cm)
Caption
This flier, from a collection of documents related to the Boston chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), provides insight into the Northern reaction to the violence against African Americans in the American South.
On August 28, 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally lynched in Drew, Mississippi. The murder and subsequent acquittal of the perpetrators were catalysts for a new determination among African Americans in the fight for civil rights. Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley said, "The murder of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all!!!"
In the same year, Lamar Smith, a farmer and World War I veteran, was shot and killed on the courthouse steps of Brookhaven, Mississippi, and George W. Lee, a grocery store owner and director of the local NAACP branch, was murdered in Belzoni, Mississippi, both in retaliation for encouraging Blacks to register to vote. The violence shocked the nation and inspired new action in the Civil Rights Movement across the country.
Description
A flier announcing a mass demonstration in New York City at the FBI Headquarters at 69th Street and 3rd Avenue on June 21st, 1965. The mimeographed flier is printed on one side in black ink, from a handwritten original. At the top is written [A YEAR AGO - / Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman were KILLED in MISSISSIPPI], followed by a paragraph detailing how civil rights workers are being arrested, beaten, jailed and denied medical treatment in Jackson, Mississippi and fifteen members of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party were jailed in Washington, DC. Below this is the details of the demonstration [MASS DEMONSTRATION/ MONDAY, JUNE 21st 4:30 - 7:00 pm / FBI office 69th Street & 3rd Avenue / TO DEMAND / 1. Strong federal protection for civil rights workers in the South / 2. Immediate release, without bail, or those in jail now.]. At the lower left is the address for SNCC and at the lower right is the address for CORE. There are no prints, marks, or inscriptions on the back.
Place used
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Type
fliers (printed matter)
Topic
Activism
Civil rights
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.46.34.27
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5442449cd-04ae-43f6-bf49-a85abfe5984f

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page