In 1964, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer delivered a searing speech at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, challenging the nation’s commitment to freedom and equality. As a leader of the Mississippi Freedom Party, Hamer exposed the brutal realities of racism in America and demanded that Black citizens be allowed to exercise their right to vote. Although she and her delegation were denied official seats at the convention, her words resonated across the country, marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Decades later, Atlantic City’s role in this historic event is being commemorated with a new marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail, making New Jersey the first state outside of Mississippi to be included on the trail. Unveiled on August 20, this addition to the trail aligns with the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer, a campaign aimed at increasing voter registration among Black citizens in Mississippi. The marker honors the Mississippi Freedom Party’s struggle for representation at the convention, a battle that highlighted the broader fight for civil rights in the United States.
New Jersey’s acting Governor Tahesha Way noted the significance of this recognition, emphasizing Atlantic City’s enduring connection to the Civil Rights Movement. The new marker joins other local landmarks, such as the Civil Rights Garden and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, in honoring the state’s contributions to the struggle for equality. By commemorating the events of Freedom Summer and the Mississippi Freedom Party’s efforts, the marker not only celebrates the past but also underscores the ongoing importance of civil rights in America’s democratic journey.
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