NATCHEZ, miss. (AP) – Organizers say more names could be added to a memorial commemorating a civil rights demonstration in Mississippi in October 1965.
The granite monument in Natchez, unveiled in 2019, bears the names of 486 people who were wrongly detained during the demonstration.
But Natchez Alderwoman Felicia Irving said members of the Natchez Democrat of her own family had been banned from the memorial, and some of her constituents also pointed out names that should have been included.
The Monument Committee, proud to take a stand, meets again to add names to the list. The deadline for submitting additional names is March 1st.
During the 1965 suffrage protest, hundreds of black protesters were arrested for violating a city parade ordinance that was later declared unconstitutional. Many were held at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman because the city and county prisons were full.
Jessica Hawkins, a Natchez Ward liaison officer, said anyone arrested during the October 2-5, 1965 demonstration, or knows anyone arrested during the demonstration, will have their names at the mayor’s office by March 1st should submit supporting documents.
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