Memorial Service and Conference
and
Longdale Community Center site
County Road 632, Neshoba County , Mississippi
June 20 - 21, 2009
Justice for Civil Rights Martyrs!
Compared to the number of Mississippi murders committed—and the number of murderers involved —
investigations and prosecutions have been a token few.
All people of goodwill are invited to attend the 45th Annual Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Memorial Service and Conference and March for Justice. We will remember and honor slain civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and all other Mississippi civil rights martyrs. Over fifty victims have been identified thus far.
The weekend’s events begin on Saturday, June 20, with a March for Justice commemorating the march that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led in Philadelphia, Mississippi on the second anniversary of the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. The 2009 March for Justice will follow the route taken by Dr. King and the marchers for justice in 1966. The 2009 March for Justice will include a rally at the Neshoba County courthouse as it did in 1966 where, as Dr. King spoke, some of those involved in the murders stood behind him and harassed him.
Assembling for the March for Justice will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, 257 Carver Avenue, Philadelphia, MS. After welcoming ceremonies and orientation, the march will commence at 10 a.m. and we will march the approximately one mile to the Neshoba County courthouse. At the courthouse, a rally calling for a full measure of justice in all Mississippi civil rights murder cases will be held. Civil rights movement veterans and pioneers and martyrs' family members will speak at the rally.
Following the rally for justice at the courthouse, the marchers and others will travel to the Longdale Community Center site for the remaining memorial service and conference activities, beginning with dinner on the grounds. The activities on Saturday will conclude at approximately 6 pm.
On Sunday, June 21, there will be a number of activities available. More details on those will be provided in the near future.
The memorial service weekend will be for remembering and honoring those whose lives were taken in the struggle, calling on officials to vigorously prosecute all known perpetrators who murdered or conspired to murder civil rights workers and others in an efforts to suppress and deny civil rights for all. It will also be a time for exchanging thoughts and ideas, strategizing, and developing plans to continue the struggle against racial, economic, legal, and social oppression in Mississippi and other states.
The memorial service and conference, including the March for Justice, is open to all people who share our values and concerns.
Directions from Meridian to Mt. Nebo Church in Philadelphia: Take MS Highway 19 north to Philadelphia (37 miles); Entering Philadelphia, Highway 19 is also known as Holland Ave.; Proceed on MS-19/Holland Ave. to Beacon Street; Turn left on Beacon St. (also known as MS-16 W) - go 0.20 miles; Turn Right on Pecan Ave. (MS-21/MS 19); Continue to follow Pecan Ave./MS-21/MS-19 - go 0.20 miles; Continue on Pecan Ave./MS-19 - go 0.30 miles; Turn Left on Rea St. - go 0.40 miles; Turn right on Carver Ave. - go 0.20 miles; Arrive at Mt. Nebo Church, 257 Carver Ave., on the right.
Directions from Philadelphia to Longdale: Take MS Highway 16 east to County Road 482 (2 miles); Turn left and go to County Road 632 (7 miles); Turn right and go 1½ miles. The old Longdale Community Center site is on the right.
Annual Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Memorial Service and Conference
John Steele, Chairman
(925) 497-9868
Curtis Muhammad
(773) 649-5464
Diane Nash
(773) 821-5423
George Roberts
(601) 743-2704
Rev. C. T. Vivian
(601) 743-2704
John Gibson
(870) 972-9248
For further information, please contact:
John Steele
(925) 497-9868
or
John Gibson
(870) 972-9248
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