Madgar+Evers

=Medgar Evers 1925-1963=

Medgar Wiley Evers was born July 2, 1925 in Mississippi. In the year 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army,and served at the battle of Normandy. After serving in the Army he attended college at Alcorn State University. It was here where he met his wife Myrlie Beasley and they were married on December 24, 1951. Shortly after he earned his degree they moved to Mound Bayou, Mississippi. While he was here he established a local chapters of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). While he lived in Mound Bayou he had set up boycotts against gas stations where they had refused to let him used the bathroom due to his skin color. He worked there as an insurance salesmen until 1954 when Supreme Court ruled Segregation in School Unconstitutional. While attempting to be accepted in the University of Mississippi Law School he caught the NAACP's attention, due to him being declined when it had been ruled unconstitutional for segregation. That same year he was declared the first secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi.

After being named the secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi Medgar,and his wife moved to Jackson Mississippi, and set up a NAACP office.The office investigated violent crimes committed against blacks, and looked for ways to prevent the crimes. He had set up many boycotts in the early 1960"s attracting national attention, but in 1962 he fought to get a young black man into the University of Mississippi.Doing this he realized he was making progress in the civil rights movement. The young man was accepted into the college, but due to his acceptance a riot had broken out leaving two dead. Medgar's involvement in this and other activities increased the hatred many people felt toward him. On June 12, 1963, as he was returning home, Medgar Evers was killed by an assassin. Black and white leaders from around the nation came to Jackson for his funeral. The accused killer, a white man named Byron De La Beckwith stood trial twice in the 1960's with an all white jury in both cases, and could not find a verdict. In 1994 he stood trial for a third time, and finally was given life in prison. Medgar's brother Charles took over Medgar’s position as state field secretary for the NAACP shortly after his death.His legacy still lives in Mississippi today he was a peaceful man who died due do his beliefs, and efforts for equality.

References (2009-10.1.2.I)
//The University of Mississippi//. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. . //THE MOVING TARGET//. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. .