Itta Bena in Leflore County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
"March Against Fear"
Erected 2021 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1966.
Location. 33° 29.36′ N, 90° 19.441′ W. Marker is in Itta Bena, Mississippi, in Leflore County. Marker is at the intersection of Mississippi Route 7 and Lakeside Street, on the right when traveling north on State Route 7. On west side of the Leflore County High School football field. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Itta Bena MS 38941, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The "Caboose" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Itta Bena (approx. half a mile away); Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); In Memory of the Brave Marines and Navy Corpsman (approx. 1˝ miles away); B.B. King Birthplace (approx. 4˝ miles away); Fort Pemberton Park (approx. 5.9 miles away); Guitar Slim (approx. 7 miles away); Hubert Sumlin (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Itta Bena.
Regarding "March Against Fear". On June 6, just one day into the march, he was sent to a hospital by a sniper’s bullet. Other civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., and Stokely Carmichael, arrived to continue the march on his behalf. It was during the March Against Fear that Carmichael, who was leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, first spoke publicly of “Black Power” — his concept of militant African American nationalism. James Meredith later recovered and rejoined the march he had originated, and on June 26 the marchers successfully reached Jackson, Mississippi.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.