In late June, civil rights movement veterans, scholars and young activists will gather in Jackson to continue the legacy of Mississippi’s historic 1964 “Freedom Summer” – when young people from across the nation joined civil rights workers in Mississippi to challenge segregation and advance voting rights and social justice. Derrick Evans, a descendent of Turkey Creek’s first settlers and the subject of Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek, will attend a special screening of the film at Freedom 50 on June 26 followed by a Q&A with Evans and Reilly Morse, president of the Mississippi Center for Justice, who has been deeply involved in efforts to protect the Turkey Creek community and watershed.
Sharing the film at Freedom Summer’s 50th anniversary in Mississippi holds special meaning for both film subject Derrick Evans and filmmaker Leah Mahan, who met 25 years ago as research interns for Eyes on the Prize, the landmark PBS series about the civil rights movement.
For more information on the screening see the press release and for information about the Mississippi Freedom Summer event, visit freedom50.org.
On June 10 in Tupelo, Miss., the Mississippi Heritage Trust presented Come Hell or High Water with a Heritage Award for Preservation Education. For more information on the awards, visit http://www.listenupms.com/heritage-awards/.
