1. Emmett Till

2. 1954 – Year after Brown v. Board of Education 1954 – Year after Brown v. Board of Education Racial tensions reached record levels Racial tensions reached record levels Emmett Till – 14 year old black boy from Chicago Emmett Till – 14 year old black boy from Chicago

3. August 1955 –went to visit - Uncle Mose Wright in Money, Mississippi August 1955 –went to visit - Uncle Mose Wright in Money, Mississippi North – little segregation North – little segregation South – mostly segregated South – mostly segregated He only knew about northern segregation, he attended a “mixed”school He only knew about northern segregation, he attended a “mixed”school

4. Had many white friends, even a supposed white girlfriend August 24, 1955; Went to Roy Bryant’s grocery store with friends Dared Emmett to speak to a white woman, Carolyn Bryant; Store owners wife

5. Bryant’s Store Bryant’s Store

6. Emmett bought some candy; as he left said “Bye Baby” or “whistled” at the woman Emmett bought some candy; as he left said “Bye Baby” or “whistled” at the woman The boys ran out of the store telling no one what had happened The boys ran out of the store telling no one what had happened 3 days later Roy Bryant and his half brother J.W. Milam abducted Emmett from his Uncles cabin 3 days later Roy Bryant and his half brother J.W. Milam abducted Emmett from his Uncles cabin

7. Bryant & Milam Bryant & Milam

8. Bryant and Milam beat and mutilated Emmett beyond recognition They dumped his body into the Tallahatchie River 3 days later body was found. Only way to identify it was by an initial ring he wore

10. Bryant & Milam initially charged with kidnapping, once body was found – charged with murder Bryant & Milam initially charged with kidnapping, once body was found – charged with murder Emmett’s mother wanted an open casket funeral so the nation could see what Bryant and Milam had done Emmett’s mother wanted an open casket funeral so the nation could see what Bryant and Milam had done

11. Trial: Bryant and Milam had the support of the white public Had an all white, all male jury

12. Mose Wright testified that Bryant and Milam had abducted Emmett Mose Wright testified that Bryant and Milam had abducted Emmett First time a black man pointed to a white man in a court of law, accusing him of murder. “Thar- He” First time a black man pointed to a white man in a court of law, accusing him of murder. “Thar- He”

13. Mose received death threats for his actions Mose received death threats for his actions He eventually left the state He eventually left the state Jury found Bryant and Milam NOT GULITY Jury found Bryant and Milam NOT GULITY Said that the body was so badly beaten - not possible to positively identify it as Emmett Said that the body was so badly beaten - not possible to positively identify it as Emmett

14. Blacks boycotted Bryant’s store forcing him to close Several months later Bryant and Milam sold their story to a journalist for $4,000. S Said they did kill Emmett and they did it to teach him a lesson

15. Impact on Bryant and Milam: Impact on Bryant and Milam: Could not find jobs Could not find jobs No bank loans No bank loans Forced to leave the state Forced to leave the state

16. Case was reopened in March 2004 Case was reopened in March 2004 Others may have been involved in the murder – jury members Others may have been involved in the murder – jury members No federal charges to be filed No federal charges to be filed State may file charges State may file charges

17. Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act Passed Sept. 2008. It creates an Unsolved Crimes Section within the Department of Justice, an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office within the FBI, and strengthen coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to bring these long-time fugitives to justice. Both offices will focus on prosecuting cases that occurred prior to 1970 and resulted in the death of the victims that still remain unsolved. The bill requires annual reporting to Congress on the progress made in these cases and authorizes $11.5 million in annual appropriations to fund these new services. The Emmet Till Act also provides funding for a Community Relations Service within the DOJ to work with local communities to solve these crimes. Passed Sept. 2008. It creates an Unsolved Crimes Section within the Department of Justice, an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office within the FBI, and strengthen coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to bring these long-time fugitives to justice. Both offices will focus on prosecuting cases that occurred prior to 1970 and resulted in the death of the victims that still remain unsolved. The bill requires annual reporting to Congress on the progress made in these cases and authorizes $11.5 million in annual appropriations to fund these new services. The Emmet Till Act also provides funding for a Community Relations Service within the DOJ to work with local communities to solve these crimes.