The Mississippi Massacre – How Could it Happen?

The documentary “Justice for Civil Rights Workers: The 1964 FBI Investigation” depicts the events leading to the disappearance and murder of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi in the summer of 1964.

The workers, two white men, and one Black man were part of a larger civil rights campaign led by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) to register Black voters in Mississippi.

The summer project, as it was called, was met with violent resistance from the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups in Mississippi.

The FBI became involved in the case after the disappearance of the three workers, and their investigation led to the exposure of the Klan’s secret and violent activities.

The FBI’s investigation was called “Mississippi Burning,” and it revealed that local law enforcement and elected officials were involved in the Klan’s violence.

The documentary shows how the civil rights movement in Mississippi was met with fierce resistance, as white supremacists attempted to maintain the status quo of racial segregation and oppression.

The summer project, in particular, was seen as an invasion by many white Mississippians, and they responded with violence and terror. The FBI’s investigation helped to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice, but it also exposed the depth of racism and corruption in Mississippi at the time.

The documentary includes interviews with former FBI agents who were involved in the investigation, as well as civil rights activists and local residents who witnessed the violence. It also includes historical footage and photographs that illustrate the tension and turmoil of the time.

Overall, the documentary highlights the bravery of the civil rights workers who risked their lives to fight for justice and equality, as well as the perseverance of the FBI agents who worked to expose the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the importance of continuing to fight against racism and oppression.