Freedom Summer - Definition and Overview

Freedom Summer was a campaign in the United States launched during the summer of 1964 to attempt to register as many African American voters as possible in the southern states. Over 1,000 volunteers helped out. The program was aimed at Mississippi, where the African American population exceeded 45%, and only 5% voted. It registered 1,600 more blacks. The program also established many summer schools in Mississippi to try and counteract the state's inequitably-funded school system.

The Mississippi campaign inspired the later Freedom Summer campaigns organised by the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine from 2002 onwards.

Example Usage of Freedom