Multiple events continue to celebrate the life and legacy of a Mississippi-born civil rights icon.
‘Medgar Evers at 100’ was a four-day event held at the Jackson Convention Complex.
Veteran civil rights activists, community members and family members of slain civil rights activist, Medgar Wiley Evers, came to the Jackson Convention Complex this weekend to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday.
The celebration occurred in conjunction with the second annual Democracy in Action Convening. Panel discussions, workshops and social receptions gave attendees the opportunity to reflect on the legacy Evers’ instilled within the state.
Reena Evers- Everette is his only daughter.
“It's tough,” she said. “Growing up, I've been asked before, do you remember? I mean, I was eight and a half when my father was assassinated. You remember a lot at eight and half.”
A World War II veteran, Evers returned to a Mississippi that remained solidly under the jurisdiction of Jim Crow laws. In 1954, he became the first NAACP field secretary in Mississippi, opening new chapters, organizing Black voter drives and leading efforts to investigate the murder of 14-year old Emmett Till in 1955. Evers’ also led boycotts in an effort to desegregate businesses in Mississippi.
Not long after, Evers’ work began to be investigated by the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission, a state agency that supported segregation.
Civil Rights activist David Dennis recalls leaving a meeting with Evers on June 12, 1963. They knew this was dangerous work.
“I remember the last thing I said to him, I told Medgar, I'm not getting in that car with you because somebody can get killed getting in that car with you,” he said.
Dennis said the two laughed and hugged.
“I said see you tomorrow. One hour later, I got a call.”
Evers had been shot in the back and killed by a white segregationist. The civil rights leader was only 37.
Former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams says Evers’ legacy highlights the need to recognize the importance of marginalized communities.
“He refused to be erased,” she said. “He refused to say that the people living on plantations were less than the people living in mansions.”
