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Living Legacy Project Presents...
​Pivotal Events of the American Civil Rights Movement

Freedom Rides and Freedom Summer:
​The Movement in Mississippi

Speaker Program 3: Sunday, March 28, 2021, 2:30 PDT, 3:30 MDT; 4:30 CDT; 5:30 EDT
Speakers: Mr. Hezekiah Watkins and Ms. Angela Lewis
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In 1961, when buses of Freedom Riders were scheduled to stop in Jackson, Mississippi, 13-year-old Hezekiah Watkins went with his friends to the bus station to see what kind of person would put their body on the line for his rights. That resulted in the first of what would eventually be over 100 arrests fighting for justice for the man dubbed "Mississippi’s youngest Freedom Rider." Working with Medgar Evers, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) and a host of other organizations, Mr. Watkins worked and continues to work for voting and civil rights in Mississippi.

In 1964, three civil rights workers, James Chaney from Meridian, Mississippi, and Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner from New York City were abducted and murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi. James Chaney’s daughter, Angela Lewis, born ten days before her father disappeared, grew up and into her father’s legacy. In 2005, forty-one years after her father was murdered, she saw one of her father’s killers finally brought to justice.


In this program, Mr. Watkins and Ms. Lewis will share incredible stories of courage in the struggle for justice and how the movement in Mississippi changed the course of history. ​

Speakers

Mr. Hezekiah Watkins

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Mr. Hezekiah Watkins became a lifelong proponent of ’justice’ after being arrested at the young age of 13 while attempting to meet the Freedom Riders at the Greyhound Bus Station as they were coming through Jackson. That arrest landed him in Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP), also known as Parchman Farm, on Death Row. Since then he has had over 100 arrests for the cause of justice and equality. Those experiences instilled in him a dedication based on a commitment to improve the quality of life and opportunities for our youth and all mankind.

Born in Milwaukee, WI, Mr. Hezekiah Watkins moved to Pearl, MS at the age of 2 with his family. Watkins received his high school diploma from Lanier High School continuing his education at Utica Junior College, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, ILL) and East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN). 
Watkins has been privileged in marriage for the past 25 years to the former Chris Tanner. Together, they delight in the joys of 3 children, Marvin, Quentin and Kristi and 4 grandchildren, Quentin II, Brandon, Corey and Mason.

For more about Mr. Watkins, read 
'Pushing Forward': Mississippi's youngest Freedom Rider is finally telling his story | Mississippi Today


Ms. Angela Lewis

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In 1964, three civil rights workers, James Chaney from Meridian, Mississippi, and Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner from New York City were abducted and murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi. James Chaney’s daughter, Angela Lewis, born ten days before he father disappeared, grew up and into her father’s legacy. In 2005, forty-one years after her father was murdered, she saw one of her father’s killers finally brought to justice.

According to a 2014 article about Ms. Lewis by Jerry Mitchell in USA Today, 

A longtime nurse, Lewis contemplated a degree in counseling until seeing her mother suffer and die from cancer in 2011. She decided instead to pour her passions into teaching students at church and is now pursuing a doctorate in theology, she said. "I love educating young people." She finds fulfillment in working with youth, helping others who need help. 'The older I get, the more I realize I'm like my dad."


DONATE
All programs are free. Donations will be accepted to support the phenomenal guest speakers/musicians participating in the series and the ongoing work of the Living Legacy Project.

​Suggested donation is $15 per program (more if you can, less if you can't). 

​Living Legacy Project, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. 
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