The Emmett Till Memorial Commission of Tallahatchie County invites the public to join them for three days of events Oct. 17-19 surrounding the rededication of an Emmett Till historical marker, ending with a ceremony and reception on Saturday, Oct. 19, rededicating the marker at the river site.
These events will recognize the legacy of the murder of Emmett Till and replace the previous sign that was vandalized, riddled with 20 bullet holes.
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was visiting family in Leflore County when he was abducted from his family members’ home, tortured and brutally murdered by two white men. Three days later, his body was found in the Tallahatchie River.
The murder of Emmett Till has been widely regarded as one of the key events leading up to the civil rights movement. In 2007, the Emmett Till Memorial Commission first posted a commemorative sign at the river site where Emmett Till’s body was found. Since then, Till signs have been vandalized with bullet holes, spray paint and acid. The sign has been previously replaced twice.
“The Emmett Till Memorial Commission is proud to be working with the Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors to tell the important story of Emmett Till. We hope the community will come and join us on Oct. 19 for the dedication of our new historic marker,” said Patrick Weems, director of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner.
Community organizations and the University of Mississippi have collaborated to host a series of events Oct. 17-19 leading up to the rededication. These events are free and open to the public.
» On Thursday, Oct. 17, the University of Mississippi will screen "The Murder of Emmett Till" at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Suite 4 (218 Student Union Drive).
» On Friday, Oct. 18, the University of Mississippi will host "Emmett Till: A Discussion on Race, Memory, and Responsibility," from 4-5:30 p.m. in Nutt Auditorium (542 University Ave #500). The event will include short film screenings, a community panel and a panel of undergraduate and graduate students. The community panel will feature Airickca Gordon-Taylor, cousin of Emmett Till; Jessie Jaynes-Diming, executive director of the Mamie Till Mobley Foundation; Dave Tell, author of "Remembering Emmett Till"; and Dr. Shennette Garrett-Scott, associate professor of History and African American Studies.
The Friday event is cosponsored by the Emmett Till Legacy Alliance, the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. If someone requires special assistance relating to a disability, they can contact Afton Thomas at amthoma4@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3363.
On Oct. 19, the rededication will begin at the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner at 11 a.m. and then will caravan to the river site marker along the banks of the Tallahatchie River for a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the Sumner Grille restaurant at 1 p.m. The rededication is cosponsored by the Mississippi Center for Justice.
The University of Mississippi has also organized a day trip to Tallahatchie County to attend the Oct. 19 rededication. Interested students should visit https://olemiss.campuslabs.com/engage/event/5003516 and register before Oct. 17.
For more information about the rededication, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/778105115975304/.
IN THE PHOTO: This new Emmett Till memorial sign will be dedicated at Graball Landing during a public ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Weems)
