In Boston, Area Democrats To Mark 1964's Racial Strife

[JI7]

<It was the summer of 1964, and a group of young civil rights activists arrived at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City to make sure the world knew that African Americans from Mississippi were still being denied a seat at the political table.

Guyot, 66, and several other veterans of 1964 have for years made their homes in the Washington area. Next week at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, they'll reunite with other former Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party members to observe the 40th anniversary of that tumultuous summer. The festivities will include a convention tribute to civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer and others who fought to integrate the Democratic Party. Northeastern University will also sponsor a day-long forum in honor of Hamer, who died in 1977.

"That movement was one of the greatest movements in history," King said. "It wasn't fought with guns and bullets but with ideas and the reality that forced America to face this duality. America had no problem sending African Americans off to fight for freedoms that they didn't enjoy back at home."

Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, who will serve as co-chairman of the Prince George's County delegation, said he goes to Boston deeply aware of those who struggled before him.

"The Democratic Party has come a long way for someone like me to participate in the political process like this," Ivey said. >

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10213-2004Jul23.html