To the Editor:
August 28, 2021 will be the 66th anniversary of Emmett Till’s gruesome murder in the Mississippi Delta.
He would have turned 80 years old this year—just two years older than the current President of the United States. It is time for our region, state and country to finally honor Emmett Till and his courageous mother with the creation of an Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Mississippi Delta Civil Rights National Historic Park. This national park could preserve and interpret these vital historic sites for future generations.
When Rosa Parks was asked why she did not move to the back of the bus in December 1955, she said, “I thought of Emmett Till and said I couldn’t go to the back.”
Rev. Wheeler Parker, Till’s last living cousin present for the events in Mississippi noted in a recent letter, “Emmett’s story continues to resonate with people across not just the United States but the entire world.
His tragic death and the bravery of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, are an important piece of American history.
The time is now to fully ensure that Emmett's story is always remembered.”
We hope that you will consider signing our petition that will go to Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland in support of the creation of an Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Mississippi Delta Civil Rights National Park.
The National Park Service needs to hear from local community leaders like you about why a federal park is necessary and about the positive impact that it would bring to our region as a whole.
The time is now to make certain that Emmett Till’s story and the stories of other Delta Civil Rights leaders are always remembered.
We must ensure that the federal government recognizes the courage of Mamie Till-Mobley, Mose Wright, and dozens of other local leaders who fought for change.
To learn more about the campaign or to sign the petition, visit TillNationalPark.org/petition.
Sincerely,
Pastor Willie Williams
Co-Chair, Emmett Till Memorial Commission
Tutwiler, MS
Patrick Weems
Executive Director, Emmett Till Memorial Commission
Sumner, MS
