Marchers Of 1966 Weigh In On Civil Rights Then And Now

JACKSON, Miss. — A half-century ago, thousands joined a march across Mississippi to challenge a system that condoned violence against black people and suppressed their rights – issues still reverberating in today’s national debates about police violence. The March Against Fear in the summer of 1966 helped many find a voice to protest the injustices of the day, setting an example for contemporary movements such as Black Lives Matter. The link between past and present was on the minds of participants in the march 50 years ago who recently told their stories to The Associated Press. They say recent deadly encounters involving police show that Americans need to engage in honest dialogue about race – even if it’s uncomfortable for some people to acknowledge that black lives have long been devalued.