The FBI Needs Your Help in Bringing Civil Rights Cold Cases to Justice

More than 43 civil rights era murders remain unsolved in Mississippi. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how federal and local officials are asking the public for help in solving these crimes from the past.

Even before the turbulent 60's, Civil rights pioneer Willie Blue had learned how to survive the game of life in Tallahatchie.

“Stay away from white folks and stay in your place, my mother telling me that. Say yes sir, no sir get out of their way. Just keep down trouble. And like Emmett Till, he stepped out of line, a child. Anything that was a threat to the status quo could get you killed.”

During those days lynching's, bombings and other heinous acts of violence often went as unsolved murders. Decades later, FBI Special Agent Fredrick T. Brink and others, are soliciting the public’s help.

“Witnesses may not be alive, Individuals that should be brought to justice may have died. And that’s why we’re turning right now to the public. Someone that may have witnessed something but has been reluctant to step forward we want you to do that. Perhaps to clear your conscience or perhaps to part information that you have been too hesitant or too frightened to talk about.”

These unsolved hate crimes stretch from every corner of the state. And according to Attorney General Jim Hood, time is of the essence.

“Anybody that’s out there that has a conscience that wants to come forward with information, now is the time. We are nearing the end of many of these peoples lifetimes and I just want future generations to know that we did everything we could to right old wrongs here in Mississippi.”

Anyone with information about civil rights era cold cases is asked to call the FBI's main office. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey