Dozens honor and have fun a civil rights large who spent many years preventing for racial equality

By Jason Wilson Last updated Jul 31, 2021

JACKSON, miss. (WLBT) – He is known as a civil rights activist.

Hollis Watkins Muhammad played an instrumental role in the struggle for equal rights in the isolated south.

Dozens of people honored him during a freedom ceremony on Friday. Those present said it was important to them to give Mohammed his flowers while he was still here.

And you see, Friday is his 80th birthday too.

Muhammad was a member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, also known as the SNCC. The civil rights group helped break down barriers and register African Americans to vote.

During the civil rights movement, Mohammed fought for freedom and equality for decades. In fact, he was even jailed for the struggle for equality.

But he didn’t let that stop him. While Mohammed is proud of how far things have come. He said there was more to be done.

“The best radical we can be is one who builds unity and works to make things better and better for our people.”

“He devoted a full month to participating in the new Freedom Summer Project, organizing and working with young people who are passionate about it,” said Mac Epps, executive director of Mississippi Move. “We just lost one of his mentors who got him moving, Mr. Bob Moses, so it was really, really good to do that.”

Mississippi Move hosted the celebration.

This year marks the 61st year since SNCC was founded.

This is also the 60th year since the Freedom Rides.

During the ceremony, the Freedom Riders were also recognized and honored for their instrumental role in the civil rights movement.

Mississippi Move said it wants to keep events like this going to keep teaching and training the next generation.