Highlights From The Turbulent 1960s Civil Rights Movement

James Meredith allowed to attend college

The University of Mississippi ran a segregated campus. In 1956, Clyde-Kennard, a black war veteran, had been prevented from enrolling in the Mississippi Southern College and was eventually arrested and convicted of trumped up charges and served 3 years of a 7-year sentence.

It wasn’t until 1962 that James Meredith won a lawsuit that allowed him to attend The University of Mississippi. When he arrived to take his place, the Governor of Mississippi – Ross Barnett – blocked his way and refused him entry. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had the governor and the Lieutenant Governor arrested and fined $10,000 for each day they prevented Meredith from enrolling.