Murder in Mississippi

The date was June 21

In 1964.

Three men° had no idea

What would be lying in store

 

When they drove through the South

In efforts to promote

Equality by helping

Register Blacks to vote.

 

They were in Mississippi,

A place that was known for attacks

On basic human rights--

For disenfranchising Blacks.

 

Arrested and jailed for speeding,

They should have been alarmed.

The locals were working against them.

Of course, the three were unarmed.

 

After they left the jailhouse,

They were abducted and killed

And buried in an earthen dam--

Their goals as yet unfulfilled.

 

Two months later the men's

Bodies were found at the site.

Compassionate people were shocked

As details came to light.

 

The KKK, the sheriff,

And police were involved in the crime.

All but one of the killers

Served very little time.

 

After years of struggle

And much to our dismay,

We can see voter suppression

Still occurring today.

 

Why when we seek fair treatment

Are we up against a wall?

Will we ever secure

Equal justice for all?

 

-by Bob B (6-22-21)

 

°James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner