In August at the Democratic Party’s national convention, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) challenged the seating of White delegates from Mississippi’s Democratic Party. The MFDP argued that party regulars had systematically excluded Black people from voting in their elections. They challenged national party leaders to make a public choice, giving powerful testimony on national television. The Credentials Committee handed down a decision to seat just two MFDP representatives, leaving the party disappointed but not discouraged to continue to fight for representation.
Pictured: A black and white photograph of the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fannie Lou Hamer and Robert (Bob) Moses lead a group of Freedom Democratic Party members down the center aisle.
Credit: TakeStock/The Image Works/TopFoto
