Freedom Summer

Freedom Summer was a campaign in the United States launched during the summer of 1964 to attempt to register as many African American voters as possible in the southern states. Over 1,000 volunteers helped out from organizations such as the Congress on Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The program was aimed at Mississippi, where the African American population exceeded 45%, and only 5% voted. It registered 1,600 more blacks. The program also established many summer schools in Mississippi to try and counteract the state's inequitably-funded school system.

Related Topics:
United States - 1964 - African American - Congress on Racial Equality - Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee - Mississippi

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Violence quickly hindered the campaign, however. On June 21, 1964, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, two white New Yorkers, and James Chaney, a black Mississippian, were abducted and killed. This made local blacks fear that they would be victims of violence if they registered.

Related Topics:
June 21 - 1964 - Michael Schwerner - Andrew Goodman - White - New York - James Chaney

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