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Untitled Document
For decades, members of a small Mississippi church
thought there was little they could do to push for justice in the deaths of
three civil-rights workers.
Now, a broad-based citizens' coalition is calling on the U.S. Justice Department
to reopen the investigation into the 1964 slayings of Michael Schwerner, James
Chaney and Andrew Goodman. Members of the Philadelphia Coalition believe enough
evidence can still be turned up to bring murder charges in the case.
"I guess maybe we didn't think we were strong enough to ask for justice
then, so that's not what we were pursuing," said Elsie Kirksey, lay leader
at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
"We were commemorating them for what they did."
Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman came to Philadelphia to investigate a fire that
destroyed the Mt. Zion church and to help African-Americans register to vote.
A sheriff's deputy who said their car was speeding took them to the Neshoba
County Jail. They were released six hours later and told to leave town. They
disappeared, and their bodies were found later buried in an earthen dam.
Seven people were convicted of violating their civil rights in a Ku Klux Klan
conspiracy to intimidate black voters. No murder charges were filed in the
case, known across the country as Mississippi Burning.
"The time has come," said United Methodist David Vowell, a member
of the Philadelphia Coalition. "I think this has just been a dark cloud
that's been over our county and our community."
Even after four decades, Vowell believes there is enough evidence for murder
charges.
"We've been assured by the FBI and people in association with the FBI,
that there is evidence here," he said. "And if that is the case,
that's what our people want to do. We want to make every effort we can to see
that it can be brought to justice and we move forward."
The church recently held a special service marking the 40th anniversary of
the slayings. Hundreds also attended a program held at the town's coliseum.
David Goodman, brother of Andrew Goodman, said it was time to "heal these
wounds" and find out who is responsible for the murders.
"We can't be critical of terrorists in other countries when our own terrorists
aren't brought to justice," he said. "It has national implications
for us. This is serious."
Carolyn Goodman said her son, Andrew, came to Mississippi because he "believed
in our Constitution" and felt laws allowing African-Americans to vote
were being violated in the deep South. He was a college student when he was
killed.
"This has never been prosecuted for what it was," she said. "We
have to abide by the law. And this is the law."
Several church members have relatives who were beaten and threatened on the
night the church burned. Philadelphia Coalition member Jewel Rush McDonald
said her mother and brother were chased down and assaulted by Klansmen while
leaving a meeting at the church.
McDonald left Philadelphia soon after that and did not return for decades.
"I went away for 30 years. I guess I hid it for 30 years," she said. "And
now it's very emotional for me, but we're going to get through it."
McDonald's brother, the Rev. George Rush, praised the coalition's efforts
to reopen the case.
"My mother used to talk about it and she would always break down and
cry," he said. "What did she tell us? About how they were beaten,
what they said, what they called them, the names, how she was kicked. Not very
pleasant."
Kirksey, who is telecommunications supervisor for the Philadelphia Police
Department, said she agrees whoever was responsible for the murders should
be punished.
"I, myself, just don't want anyone to forget what they've done for us," she
said. "They gave their lives so that we may have the opportunity to go
vote."
"People now, they take it for granted," she said. "Most of
the youth don't realize that this just didn't happen by chance."
Kirksey said race relations in Philadelphia are much better now. And she praised
the efforts of coalition members.
"This is not for show," she said. "We've sat there and we've
talked (to) the committee members. We've sat there and we've cried together."
Kirksey said the efforts of the three who were killed have been felt far beyond
the country church that became a symbol for the civil-rights movement.
"It totally changed the community," she said. "It changed Mt.
Zion. It changed the county. I guess you could say it changed the nation."
*Gordon is a freelance producer residing in Marshall, Texas.
Date posted:
Jun 23, 2004
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