Freedom Summer 2004 Ride for Justice

 This is the 40th anniversary of the slayings of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Shwerner were murdered while helping register black voters as a part of the 1964 "Freedom Summer." Two memorial ceremonies were held on Sunday, June 20th.  40 years ago authorities in Mississippi ended their investigation into the murders of the three civil rights workers. No one has been charged with their deaths. But,  the victims's families still seek to open the case.

 Ben Chaney, who is James Chaney's brother said, "I'm very hopeful. I believe by this time next year we will be looking at a murder trial." Carolyn Goodman is the mother of Andrew Goodman. She said, "I think there's a good chance. It's been 40 years and I think there's a a good chance because this state has really change." Although in forty year no one was ever prosecuted for this case.  Family members, the community and the media are still seeking a resolution to this case.   There is an effort now in the  U.S. Justice Department to reopen the case of Emmit Till - He was a black teenager  murdered in 1955. Leroy Clemons, President of the Neshoba County NAACP said, "We were already working on our call for justice. But when they announced the Emmitt Till case that only helped fuel our case."  There have been six other cases of civil rights murders successfully prosecuted. Ben Chaney wants the Governor and the Attorney General to request a federal prosecutor to take on this case.  Chaney said, "I'm very grateful for Emmitt Till, for people in Birmingham who pushed their cases forward cause it gave us hope and a model to follow for justice."   Clemons said, "Yes, the younger generation in Mississippi is definitely ready."  Ashton Bennett, a 13-year-old from Meridian said, "They went through a lot just to let us have freedom and now we take it for granted, that's why its important not just for people my age but for other people to know that going through this took a lot."   These quotes were taken from an interview done by By Mari Payton, mari@wlbt.net.

 Ben wanted this caravan to be a memorial of what his brother stood for and to get the youth to come out and vote.  To be a part of what his brother and others started over 40 years ago.  To remember the road they traveled for the freedom of others.  The caravan has traveled from New York down to the deep south and then to Washington.  Below is the picture of Chaney,Goodman, and Schwerner.  Also the burning bus the KKK had  set on fire.  Also the caravan that is now the freedom summer 2004 caravan. Above is Ben Chaney, brother of James Chaney.