The March against Fear, 1966

 

The March against Fear, 1966

In this picture, civil rights activist James Meredith is shot in the head, back, and neck by a sniper who ambushed Meredith when he led a March to spread awareness of racism. Here is Meredith's story: Meredith is a veteran air force pilot. He was the first black man to attend the University of Mississippi in 1962. He was initially accepted; however, when his race was discovered, he was denied entry. The US Court found that the university discriminated against Meredith, allowing him access to the facility. Meredith was escorted by police on his first day as there was a high threat level against Meredith by racists in the area. In 1966, Meredith participated in a March that he created called "March Against Fear," in which he was the only participant. The March would last 220 miles. He began his March on June 5, intending to spread awareness against racism and get African Americans to vote for politicians supporting their rights in the upcoming elections. On the following day, on June 6, Meredith crossed the Mississippi border, where he was ambushed by a white man named Aubrey Norvell. Norvell fired at Meredith from a wooded area and shot him three times. This attack happened despite the March being monitored by police and the FBI. Meredith survived the attack, and on June 26, Martin Luther King JR and other activists, as well as thousands of participants, took over and completed the March, with Meredith rejoining them shortly before the March ended. While they were on the March, the group was attacked, harassed, and threatened by civilians and the police. Aubrey Norvell was found guilty of assault and served just two years in prison. Meredith is still alive today at the age of 89. Photographer: Jack Thornell Source