stokely carmichael black power speech 1966

Local white officials confronted the marchers and told them they were not allowed on the school’s property. There was some confusion as to whether or not the marchers had permission to set up tents on the public school’s grounds. On June 16, 1966, marchers began to set-up camp on the grounds of the Stone Street Elementary School in Greenwood, Mississippi. The LCFO used the black panther as its symbol, members openly carried guns, and they believed in “black power for black people.” The LCFO, along with SNCC ran its candidates against the all-white democrat party members in Alabama elections.

In 1965, Carmichael assisted black Alabamians with their voter registration efforts and was exposed to the techniques and ideologies of the Lowndes County Freedom Organization (LCFO). He participated in voter registration in the South and spent time at Parchman State Prison Farm in Mississippi for attempting to integrate passenger trains.

Carmichael, a 24-year old, recent graduate from Howard University became active with SNCC in 1961.

Several of the reports and statements in this case file refers to the actions that occurred on Jin Greenwood, Mississippi.ĭuring the march, Stokely Carmichael, who was the current Chairman of SNCC, used his rhetoric and passion to alter the direction of the Civil Rights movements towards a black power agenda. Case file #44-33352, Mississippi (1966) Meredith March, Stokely Carmichael consists of investigative documentation regarding the March against Fear. RG 65 Classification 44 (Civil Unrest) Headquarters Case Files, (National Archives Identifier 2329984) contains correspondence, memorandums, photographs, newspaper clippings, reports, transcripts, and telegrams relating to violations of civil rights laws. Additional details on the Meredith March are discussed by Jamie White, former National Declassification Center (NDC) employee, in his Februblog, “ James Meredith and his March against Fear.” During this march from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MS, the evolving ideologies of these organizations clashed, thus marking a shift from an era of mostly passive/nonviolent action to more active and direct protest. After activist James Meredith was shot in the leg on day two, these organizations continued where he had to leave off. Participants of this march included the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

The March against Fear that took place in June 1966, is considered the last great march against racism of the 1960s Civil Rights era in the South. Ligon, Supervisory Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Stokely carmichael black power speech 1966