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Itta Bena in Leflore County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
 

"March Against Fear"

 
 
"March Against Fear" Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 5, 2021
1. "March Against Fear" Marker
Inscription. On June 5, 1966, James Meredith began the "March Against Fear," a three-week march from Memphis. Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi. designed to promote black voter registration and defy segregation. On June 18, some 100 marchers passed through Itta Bena on Highway 7 en route to Belzoni. Despite confrontations with members of the KKK and intimidation by law enforcement, the “March Against Fear," which had grown to include thousands of marchers, concluded with a rally at the state capitol in Jackson on June 26.
 
Erected 2021 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansCivil 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
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(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.
 
View of marker east towards Leflore County High School. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 5, 2021
2. View of marker east towards Leflore County High School.
"March Against Fear" Marker looking north. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 5, 2021
3. "March Against Fear" Marker looking north.
James Meredith in 1962. image. Click for full size.
Public domain (LOC)
4. James Meredith in 1962.
 
 
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.

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Mar. 19, 2024