Civil Rights veteran James Meredith is planning a 200 mile walk against crime

by

Lacey Alexander

• Published on May 18, 2023 • Comments

James Meredith, who integrated the University of Mississippi as its first Black student in 1962, reflects on his efforts to dismantle white supremacy and his mission to promote religious revival, at his home in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021.
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

A civil rights activist with a rich history in Mississippi is visiting several cities in the state to start a dialogue with officials about crime and racism.

Lacey Alexander

Civil Rights veteran James Meredith is planning a 200 mile walk against crime

James Meredith says he is leading a "200 mile walk against crime." His agenda includes stopping at court houses and city halls, where he plans to speak with local officials and religious leaders.

"This is really a continuation of the... March against Fear before I got shot the second day," he said. "50 something years later."

Meredith is known as the man who integrated the University of Mississippi in 1962. His solo March Against Fear in 1966 was intended to be a march for civil rights that would take him from Memphis to Jackson. He was shot on the second day of marching.

He plans to start this walk in New Albany today. He says his "mission" on this walk is to start conversation about crime and race relations, specifically with those he considers elders.

"They not only don't think about it, they want to forget it ever happened, and there ain't no way anybody can forget history." he said. "You can ignore it, but you can't forget it."

When asked how he plans to get from place to place, Meredith says he trusts God to get him there. He sees this walk as part of his religious calling.

"I'm going to do God's will and not James Meredith's will." he said. "And God tells me if I do his will, everything else is going to fall in place."

Meredith's walk is scheduled to end on June 25th, which will be his 90th birthday.