New Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker Honors Meridian Movement
Meridian, Miss. — Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Humanities Council, the City of Meridian, Visit Meridian and members of the community gathered in Meridian’s Historic African American Business District on Friday to unveil a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker commemorating the legacy of Charles Darden and the Meridian Freedom Movement.
Charles Darden, a pioneering civil rights leader, served as president of the Mississippi branch of the NAACP from 1955 to 1960 and was a founding father of the Meridian Freedom Movement.
By 1963, as Mississippi prepared for Freedom Summer, the Meridian project established headquarters at the Fielder & Brooks Drug Store, once located at the corner of 25th and 5th Street. Organizers Michael and Rita Schwerner, sent by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), worked alongside local leaders including James Chaney, Sue Brown, Reverend Charles Johnson, Polly Heidelberg, Agnes Smith, and others who emerged from the local community.
Following the 1964 murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner by the Ku Klux Klan—including individuals connected to Meridian—Darden and the Meridian Movement played a crucial role in galvanizing national support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Despite the violence, the Meridian Movement persisted. Its efforts extended well beyond Freedom Summer, advancing Black access to economic opportunity, political engagement, and equitable education.
About the Mississippi Freedom Trail:
The Mississippi Freedom Trail pays tribute to Mississippi’s profound impact on the U.S. civil rights movement. The statewide initiative features over 40 markers commemorating the individuals, locations, and pivotal events that were instrumental in the struggle for civil rights. Administered by Visit Mississippi in partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi Freedom Trail is supported by a State Tourism Grant from the US. Economic Development Administration.
To learn more about the Mississippi Freedom Trail, visit visitmississippi.org and or listen to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail podcast.
About Visit Mississippi:
Celebrated as The Hospitality State and proudly known as the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi invites visitors to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history, and unforgettable adventures. From the soulful sounds of the Delta to the serene beauty of the Gulf Coast and Appalachian foothills, Mississippi is a destination where every journey tells a story.
Visit Mississippi, a division of the Mississippi Development Authority, serves as the state’s official destination marketing organization. As storytellers and cultural ambassadors, we champion Mississippi through strategic global marketing, innovative partnerships, and creative collaboration. Our mission is to elevate the state’s thriving tourism economy and inspire visitors from around the world to discover the magic that is Mississippi.
For more information, visit visitmississippi.org.
Contact:
Katie Coats
Chief Marketing Officer
Visit Mississippi
Office: 601-359-3035
Cell: 228-357-4086
Email: KCoats@Mississippi.org
