Third Freedom Trail marker unveiled at Jackson State University, highlighting campus unrest

Robert Luckett, director of the Margaret Walker Center, said the legacy of Brown and other activists should be acknowledged. 

“The story of Jackson State is also intertwined deeply with the civil right movement. And so that makes days like today special for us to remember, remember our connection to it. And also to remember that these people who live through this dwell in sadness or misery, but they went on and led incredible lives of great grace and dignity.” 

The unveiling served as a central event in the 56th annual Gibbs-Green Commemoration. This year’s ceremony also recognized James “Lap” Baker. 

Three years after Brown’s death, Baker survived the 1970 campus shooting that killed students Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green. Baker spent decades working to preserve the memory of the tragedy before his death earlier this year. 

Karanja Matory, a Ph.D. student in urban and regional planning, said he first learned about Gibbs and Green while touring Jackson State in high school. As a Jackson native, he said it is important to give back to the community and understand its history. 

Matory said honoring the students keeps their legacy alive for future generations. 

“When you know the history, you move different,” said Matory. “Me knowing the history has just made me more intentional about how I carry myself and present myself as a Jacksonian at this institution.” 

Matory added that Baker served as an inspiration to many. 

Baker’s family attended the ceremony. His sister, Linda Baker McGary, said she was emotional seeing the tributes to her brother and the impact he had on others. She said it is rewarding to see the history and legacy being preserved. 

“The dream, the legacy, the struggle and even more so in the times that we’re not much indifferent to the times that those students witnessed and endured years ago,” said McGary. “They think that the clock just kept ticking and think it won’t happen to them. It could be one of us any day, any place, any time. Keep the legacy alive.” 

Gailya Porter was a sophomore at Jackson State when the 1970 shooting occurred. She said she and her friend, Gloria Mayhorn, went outside after hearing reports of fires on campus. 

By the time they arrived, Porter said they were surrounded by police officers when gunfire began. Her friend Harold Stewart pushed her through the glass doors at Alexander Hall to protect her. Mayhorn was shot in the shoulder. 

Porter said although the time was already tense, understanding history remains important. She said she lives by her motto: ESP — educationally driven, spiritually driven and politically driven. 

“We've always been told, history repeats itself, unless we become more knowledgeable,” said Porter. “And I believe if we become more educated, continue to educate ourselves and others, that will be a method, a strategy that can be used to improve the things that occur that are negative.” 

When Brown was killed, a demonstration had been held on campus protesting the presence of city police. The following day, state highway patrol officers and the National Guard became involved. 

Brown was not participating in protests at the time. He was on his way to buy food when he was fatally shot multiple times outside the COFO Center. He died on his 22nd birthday. 

Luckett said Brown’s story remains relevant. 

“This story is not ancient history. These are stories of people who are still with us,” said Luckett. “To be able to have that marker there for people to come learn and to know about his life and legacy. That’s a special thing.” 

Author Brown, the victim’s brother, was 20 years old when Benjamin Brown was killed. He described his brother as kind and generous, adding that the new marker serves as a lasting reminder of the struggles Black Mississippians endured during the civil rights movement. 

“It’s in memory of the struggle that we've gone through, and these are some of the people that was involved with it,” said Brown. “Those memories will be there, and it's going to be a lasting thing on the people that come after us.” 

Crews placed the new marker in front of Alexander Hall, where it currently sits next to the existing Jackson State Tragedy Freedom Trail marker.