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“Libraries, parks, rec centers, pools, free internet— those are all crime prevention activities and resources,”
@jxnfreepress
—Dr. Caterina Roman urging crime prevention solutions that have little to do with flashing blue lights.
@jacksonfreepress
@jxnfreepress
60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides:
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The ‘Accidental Freedom Rider’ Locked up in Parchman at 13 by Kayode Crown Kayode Crown
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August 4 - 31, 2021 • jfp.ms
ezekiah Watkins was looking for a hero. As a 13-year-old middle schooler in 1961 in Jackson who had lost his father three years earlier, he thought that seeing and possibly touching a Freedom Rider would fulfill him. U.S. Supreme Court rulings in 1949 and 1960 that racial segregation in interstate buses and route facilities was unconstitutional emboldened young Freedom Riders. In the summer of 1961, the mixedrace Riders braved severe beatings, imprisonment, maiming, and death from white mobs, supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, and the government. They rode on interstate buses, trains and planes into southern states—Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana—stopping at various spots to integrate facilities and face arrest. More than 400 Freedom Riders made the trip south, beginning on May 4, 1961. Twenty days later, they started a journey to Jackson, Miss. By the end of the summer, 328 ended in Mississippi’s Parchman Prison after police arrested them for “breach of peace” for moving into the segregated waiting areas of the bus stations. On Saturday, July 10, Watkins, now 73 years old and a guide at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, met the Jackson Free Press inside the museum to talk about how he was arrested at such a young age.
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How It Started “My journey started on July 7, 1961, which was 60 years ago, I think Wednesday of this week, here in Jackson at the Greyhound Bus Station (at 239 N. Lamar St.),” Watkins said. Before then, he had heard of the Freedom Riders, but he met a brick wall when he asked his teacher, mother and pastor about them. None of them wanted to say anything about it to the 13-year-old. “I was interested in the Freedom Riders based on what I saw (happen) in Alabama on TV, and it became interesting to me seeing Blacks and whites work together, being beaten, all these types of
Hezekiah Watkins, now 73, landed in Parchman Prison in Mississippi at age 13 after trying to meet the Freedom Riders.
inhumane things happening to them, and it just caught my attention,” Watkins said. He and his friend checked the local news every day to keep up with the Freedom Riders and Alabama. “They eventually became our heroes and sheroes,” Watkins said. He did not name the friend. “We thought they were just fighting against the police officers; we didn’t know
their mission,” Watkins explained. The Riders met violence as they reached the Deep South, with white mobs firebombing a bus in Anniston, Ala., beating Riders in Birmingham, attacking in Montgomery as police did nothing. Federal marshals were called in. Watkins’ friend later informed him about a Freedom Riders’ meeting on July
7, 1961 at the Masonic Temple on Lynch Street. When they got there on their bicycles, the event was almost over. “But the announcer was asking if there was anyone here who would like to join forces with the Freedom Riders? ‘If so, meet us at the Greyhound Bus Station,’” Watkins said as he related the story. “So I looked at my friend, my friend looked at me,
Back-to-School Extravaganzas Galore
In preparation of the new school year, groups and businesses in the Jackson area have organized an array of back-to-school events targeted toward parents and students alike. Here is a sampling. We advise calling to confirm due to Covid spikes. Back 2 School Bulldog Bash (Aug. 5):
The City of Brandon holds a community pep-rally featuring games, cheerleaders, a dance team, a drumline, local businesses and more.
Back to School Luau (Aug. 6):
The Mississippi Children’s Museum hosts a kids’ party with hula skirts, leis, Kona Ice, a live DJ, activities and more.
Hometown Back to School Market (Aug. 6-7):
The Vault Venue hosts a market of vendors selling clothes and accessories.
WFBC Back 2 School Bash (Aug. 7):
Wright’s Foundation for Better Communities offers free backpacks, live music, food, haircuts and hair stylings for children, games, activities and more while supplies last. Event held at 1831 Robinson St.
Back to School Health Fair (Aug. 7):
The City of Flowood offers free health screenings for children at its annual fair, which also includes an obstacle course, a photo booth, school-supply giveaways and more.
St. Andrew’s Summer Bash 2021 (Aug. 8):
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral holds a “Blessing of the Backpacks” during its morning service and then holds a fellowship event with food and games. A nursery will be available.
Back to School Giveaway (Aug. 8-25):
Queens of MS Business Consultants gives away school supplies to those in need while they last.
FFWBC Back 2 School Bash (Aug. 14):
First Free Will Baptist Church of Pearl presents its second-annual event, which includes inflatables, food and drink, facepainting and more.
