Shut out of the all-White state Democratic Party, Movement activists formed the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) on March 15, 1964, aiming to challenge the state party at the national convention. To send 68 national delegates to Atlantic City, members first needed to elect representatives at the precinct, county, district, and state levels. Local activists struggled to recruit potential delegates and pull together meetings. Rural Black Mississippians remained wary of registering, even for the MFDP. To strengthen the Atlantic City challenge, Freedom Summer volunteers raced through July registering as many MFDP members as possible.
Pictured: A black and white photograph of Ella Baker delivering a speech to MFDP delegates. Baker is standing on the left side of the photograph. Delegates are seated in several rows of church pews.
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