Medgar Evers

Description: (American Civil Rights Activist Who Was Assassinated by a White Supremacist)

Medgar Evers was an African-American civil rights activist from Mississippi, who worked tirelessly against racism throughout his life. He spent his childhood and most of his later life in Mississippi, a state where racism was rampant. He had to go to a far-off school that specifically admitted African-Americans and was subjected to racial taunts by the other white children. Even after serving in the army during World War II, Evers did not get the fair treatment he longed for. His leadership qualities came to the fore in college, where he was ‘junior class president’. Having already experienced first-hand the brutal repercussions faced by African-Americans in Mississippi, like lynching, Evers grabbed the chance to fight against it by joining the Regional Council of Negro Leadership (RCNL). He became actively involved with organizing protests and demonstrations against racism. He was denied admission by the University of Mississippi on racial grounds became the subject of a well-publicized campaign to end segregation at the University. Because of his relentless crusade against racism, he made many enemies with the violent and powerful white-supremacists. Just as his endeavours were appearing to bear fruits with President Kennedy’s landmark civil rights address, his life was tragically cut short. Till today, Evers is cherished as one of the foremost champions of the ‘Civil War Movement’.

Overview

Birthday July 2, 1925 (Cancer)
Alternative names Medgar Wiley Evers
Died on June 12, 1963
Spouse/Ex- Myrlie Evers-Williams (m. 1951–1963)
Parents James Evers
Jesse Evers
Children Darrell Kenyatta Evers, James Van Evers, Reena Denise Evers
Relatives Charlie Evers

Did you know

What legal actions were taken in response to Medgar Evers' murder? Medgar Evers' murderer, Byron De La Beckwith, was tried twice in the 1960s, but was not convicted until 1994, highlighting the challenges faced in securing justice during that time.
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