Mississippi
Lessons from 1964’s Mississippi Freedom Summer
The recent arson that destroyed Beth Israel, Jackson, Miss.’s only synagogue, evokes that state’s dark legacy of violence toward those supporting racial equality — one stretching back more than 60 years.
In spring 1964, a Duke University sophomore from Connecticut, Dick Landerman, and a Harvard senior from New York, Nick Fels, joined the civil rights movement in Mississippi. As idealistic foot soldiers, they were unwittingly marching into history.
Landerman’s family was apolitical. His civil commitment was more interpersonal than ideological — a function of friendships made at a racially mixed YMCA summer camp and on Hartford basketball courts.
But casual campus racism repelled and incited him. What prompted his activism, he told me in an interview, was “my shame at not speaking up in response to a racist incident at the start of my freshman year.”
Fels recalled to me that his civil rights interest preceded the summer of 1964. “Among other things, growing up in New York as a rabid Brooklyn Dodgers fan, I idolized Jackie Robinson — and still do,” he said.
So, Landerman, 19, and Fels, 21, joined the Mississippi Freedom Summer, a joint effort involving the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Council of Federated Organizations, which included the Congress of Racial Equality and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, plus the NAACP and its Legal Defense Fund.
In 1961, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee organizers moved into Mississippi cities and towns to register local Blacks to vote. Poll taxes and literacy tests stymied registration, as did widespread racist violence and intimidation.
In 1963, a Liberty, Miss., politician shot and killed Herbert Lee, a Black farmer working with the the organization. A white sniper murdered NAACP state field secretary Medgar Evers, and local activist Fannie Lou Hamer and Lawrence Guyot were arrested and beaten in jail. Activists faced church bombings, house burnings and economic retaliation.
Yet the national media virtually ignored this terror and intimidation. No government protection or voting rights action came.
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee strategist Robert Moses concluded, “It is not possible for us to register Negroes in Mississippi. … There is reason to believe that authorities in Mississippi will force a showdown over the right to vote in large numbers.”
Moses and local leaders decided on recruiting mostly white, Northern middle-class volunteers for national media attention, and to serve as a tripwire against local white terrorism.
Like many Mississippi volunteers, Landerman and Fels are Jewish. But white and Black, Christians and Jews, the same missionary zeal fired them as embodied in the Civil War era Battle Hymn of the Republic: As Jesus “died to make us holy, let us die to make men free.”
And so, they did, a century later.
On June 21, 1964, Black Mississippi activist James Chaney and two white volunteers, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, disappeared while driving from Philadelphia, Miss., to Jackson. Neshoba County and Philadelphia City police officers, most Ku Klux Klan-affiliated, arrested the trio on speeding charges. After they were released, Klan and law enforcement officers followed them, beat Chaney, shot all three, and buried the bodies in an earthen dam.
Fels recalls riding in a car with two other volunteers one night after the murders. “Our car was stopped by the local sheriff, who was notorious for harassing” civil rights organizations’ volunteers. “After directing us to get out of the car and show our IDs, he paused for a moment and then let us go. I have never forgotten the sense of panic.”
Later, he and other volunteers saw the dam site where Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman’s bodies had been buried. “The visit brought home the depth of the hostility we faced and triggered a strong sense of anxiety, particularly because of our own recent encounter with the sheriff in Hattiesburg,” Fels said.
The deaths galvanized the nation and influenced passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminated poll taxes and literacy tests, exploding Mississippi and southern Black voter registration.
Although the summer also deeply affected other volunteers, many remained in Mississippi, despite the trauma.
Motivated by his experience, Fels joined Friends of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and was active in the Berkeley free speech movement. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he clerked for U.S. Circuit Judge John Minor Wisdom — a staunch foe of racial segregation — and worked in legal aid.
That December, Landerman returned to Duke, becoming active in a campus civil rights organization. He stood up to racism in late-night dorm arguments with segregationist students about sit-in arrests at local segregated restaurants. Following graduation, Landerman spent several years community organizing in a white Durham, N.C working-class neighborhood.
At 81, he reflects on his Mississippi experience’s relevance today.
“When Bob Moses entered Mississippi in 1961,” Landerman said, “Black people had lived for decades under a brutal and oppressive system where change seemed inconceivable, and opposition brought economic retribution, beatings, jailings, and death. Together with local Black people, a [Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee] staff of 41 built a movement capable of making Freedom Summer happen and bringing voting rights to Black people across the South.”
Fels, now 82, says Mississippi Freedom Summer also deeply affected him. Retired from his Washington law firm, he’s on the board of Lawyers Defending American Democracy. The group filed an amicus brief challenging President Trump’s executive order restricting the number of citizens who could register to vote in federal elections.
“The repression of rights and violence we faced in Mississippi obviously differs from what the current federal government seeks to impose today,” he says. “I think, however, that the lesson from Freedom Summer applies: Resistance is necessary and may, in the long run, succeed.”
Mark I. Pinsky is a journalist and author based in Durham, N.C.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 25 drawing
01-06-09-13-23
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5
Evening: 4-0-8, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 2-8-3-2, FB: 5
Evening: 5-0-3-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
See video of MS Lt. Gov. Hosemann speaking on redistricting
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann speaks on redistricting during the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS, on June 24, 2026.
PHILADELPHIA — When asked about his campaign plans for the statewide elections in November 2027, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has avoided giving a straight answer. Usually, he tells the media that his next focus is a long checklist of priorities to tackle next legislative session.
The governor’s race next year, the first this decade without term-limited incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, is rumored to feature a crowded field. For current officeholders, even those who don’t work directly with the state Legislature, the bills that they can endorse and urge across the finish line are often the feathers in their cap touted on the campaign trail.
During the two days of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann and other state leaders gave attendees a clearer view of what their goals are for those 60 days of debate.
Redistricting
One of the priorities common to most speakers was legislative and congressional redistricting in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited drawing voting districts on the basis of race. Reeves initially called a special session on redistricting, specifically regarding the state Supreme Court districts, but he later canceled it.
The governor opted to cancel the session, he said, because Mississippi had already had its primary. Instead, he charged Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, the leaders of each chamber, with navigating the process during the next legislative session.
Through their redistricting committees, both said at the Neshoba County Fair, they are preparing to do exactly that.
“The Democrats used [prior Supreme Court rulings] to make sure they elected Democrats and not the people that you wanted. Now the Supreme Court has changed that, and we’re back to ground one where we should be,” Hosemann said. “We’ve appointed a committee, they’ll be out in Mississippi … looking at who do you want to represent you and how is your district to be set up? It’s coming back to the people where it was before, where it should be today.”
Mississippi Rep. Scott Bounds and Sen. Lane Taylor, both of whom represent the Neshoba County area, are on their respective redistricting committees. Both promised that redistricting is among the first issues that the Legislature plans to take up in January, with Bounds adding that the focus is on redrawing the state legislative districts.
“I believe the best way to enact common sense, conservative policies is by electing Republicans to office,” Jason White said. “The Mississippi House of Representatives stands for that, and we will examine redistricting and elect more Republicans to local, state and federal offices.”
Reeves confirmed that he “would not be surprised” if there is a special session before the next legislative session begins in January, but that even without it, the Legislature “would definitely have redistricting done” before the statewide elections in November 2027. Reeves has the power to call a special session at any point.
K-12 and higher education
Hosemann and White took, if not opposite perspectives, then at least different approaches to improving the state’s public and higher education systems.
White’s primary focus, he said in his speech, lays again with school choice. He told the crowd that, while lawmakers were still drafting legislation, Mississippians could expect to see a similar attempt this upcoming year as representatives put forward in January.
“I think you’ll see most statewide candidates for governor fully endorsing the idea of school choice and pushing it forward. I think the reason they will do that is because they’re smart, they’ve been polling, they’re spending their money to see what issues are important to people,” White said after giving his speech. “They’re finding out that when you get outside of the room and have a real conversation with parents, they want those choices.”
The 500-page, sweeping bill from last year primarily proposed using state money to fund vouchers for students to attend private and charter schools. It passed the House, where it originated, in a narrow vote before getting a resounding “no” vote in the Senate education committee.
“I wish the Senate would come forward and say, ‘Look, we don’t want to go through all that again. Here’s what we would do,’” White said. “I wish there would be a way to find a win-win, but to this point, they’ve been unwilling to have a conversation. That makes it tough politics for me when they’re unwilling to even have a conversation.”
Hosemann has loudly opposed state-funded vouchers, and he took the dais to advocate for more funding in public schools. One of his education priorities for the next year, he told the crowd, was opening more special-purpose schools for children with disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism.
Where Hosemann and White have agreed is that Mississippi’s education systems are bloated. Hosemann spoke specifically about higher education, telling reporters after his speech that some institutions graduate fewer than 25% of their enrollment. He touted the benefits of performance-based funding in ensuring that schools are motivated to educate high-performing students, and Mississippians could likely see changes to the funding formula in 2027.
White has largely focused, for the moment, on K-12 public schools. He formed a committee on school consolidation that has zeroed in on small schools and districts, and top officials with the state education department have asked for the Legislature to draft a framework for closing schools in the coming years.
How big should the government be?
Maybe the only thing that every Republican speaker agreed on was that Mississippi’s government needs to be smaller, but they phrased reform in different ways.
Reeves promoted artificial intelligence that makes workflows more efficient and decreases the number of state employees needed to do a certain job. White urged the government to decrease property taxes, because the burden makes property owners “feel like they rent the property that they own.”
Hosemann pointed to a Senate committee on efficiency and transparency that has moved to eliminate 17 government committees and boards he described as useless. White formed a similar special committee on government efficiency that has met over the summer to weigh cost-cutting measures.
While details on which departments could be downsized and precise estimates of potential savings have not been publicly outlined, nearly every state official, member of the Legislature and candidate who spoke at the Neshoba County Fair promised significant reform next session.
Bea Anhuci is the state government reporter for the Clarion Ledger. She has covered Mississippi politics since the start of 2026. Email her at banhuci@usatodayco.com.
Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.
How to help your dog deal with July 4 fireworks
The loud bang of fireworks causes anxiety for dogs. Here’s how to help your pet on July 4.
Independence Day is always an exciting holiday in Mississippi with burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the dazzling displays of fireworks.
This year is even more special as America celebrates its 250th birthday. It is a celebration of a milestone not to be missed and the fireworks displays will be spectacular.
If you live in the Jackson area there are plenty of events to choose from and not all of them are on Saturday, July 4, so you can go and enjoy more than one. To make them even better, the events are free.
So, here are some of the area events that include fireworks where you can celebrate America 250.
Jackson Fireworks Extravaganza
- When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
- Where: Smith Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
- Admission: Free
The City of Jackson is hosting its Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Smith Wills Stadium.
Before the fireworks, guests can enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. The event also will include a kid zone with water slides, bounce houses, face painting and games.
Independence Celebration at The Rez
- When: Saturday, June 27, 5-9 p.m.
- Where: Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park
- Admission: Free
Celebrate Independence Day Rez-style at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The event takes place the Saturday before the Fourth of July at Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park.
Live music, kid zones, food vendors and beer will be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. No outside coolers are allowed.
Freedom Fest
- When: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 3
- Where: Brandon Amphitheater, 8190 Rock Way, Brandon
- Admission: Free
Brandon’s complimentary Freedom Fest will be a kick-off to the holiday weekend celebrations. The event will include inflatables for the kids, a Cornhole tournament, face painting, food trucks and will close with a patriotic concert and fireworks display.
Red, White and Blue Fest
- When: 4 p.m., Saturday, July 4
- Where: Soccer Row, Traceway Park, Clinton
- Admission: Free
The 36th annual Red, White and Blue Fest in Clinton starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
Local live music, food and games lead up to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Live music performances include blues prodigy John Clayton White at 5:30 p.m. and The Fountain City Players at 7:15 p.m.
Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
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