Freedom Summer came to a dramatic climax in Atlantic City. In August at the Democratic Party’s national convention, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) challenge the seating of White delegates from Mississippi’s Democratic Party. The MFDP argued that party regulars had systematically excluded Black voters in their elections. In response, the MFDP had organized their own state convention, open to all races, and elected their own delegates. Party regulars from Mississippi and other Southern states threatened to bolt if the MFDP were seated.
Pictured: A black and white photograph of MFDP members rallying before the Democratic National Convention. Fannie Lou Hamer is in the center of the image and is holding a microphone. Ella Baker stands to the right of her. Stokely Carmichael stands behind her wearing a hat.
Credit: TakeStock/The Image Works/TopFoto
