News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2024
11:00 am ET

MEDIA CONTACT

Mo Banks
mo.banks@andrewgoodman.org
(201) 502-6144

The Andrew Goodman Foundation Honors The 60th Anniversary Of Freedom Summer 1964

The organization will continue the legacy of Freedom Summer at its ninth National Civic Leadership Training Summit by training young civic leaders.

Today, The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) honors the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer and mourns the tragic murders of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney, and Michael Schwerner in 1964. 

Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Summer Project, was a campaign launched to register Black-American voters in Mississippi, a state with a long history of disenfranchising Black citizens. Organized by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), which included the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Freedom Summer sought to shine a national spotlight on systematic racial oppression in the South and push for federal voting rights legislation.

The Ku Klux Klan’s brutal murders of Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner on June 21, 1964, underscored the violent resistance civil rights activists faced and sparked national outrage. Their deaths highlighted the dire need for change and marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement that catalyzed the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“Freedom Summer 1964 was a watershed moment in the fight for civil rights. The tragic murders of Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney, and Michael Schwerner highlighted the urgent need for change and galvanized a movement,” said Rashawn Davis, Executive Director of The Andrew Goodman Foundation. “Today, The Andrew Goodman Foundation continues their legacy by empowering young leaders to carry forward the fight for equality, justice, and democracy.”

The Andrew Goodman Foundation, named in honor of Andrew Goodman, is dedicated to continuing his legacy by developing young civic leaders committed to social justice and democratic participation. To commemorate this historic anniversary, AGF will host its ninth National Civic Leadership Training Summit, a free virtual event open to the public on July 31 and August 1. During this event, themed ‘64 to ‘24, young people from across the country will gather to hear inspiring panels and participate in training sessions, just as young organizers did ahead of Freedom Summer. 

David Goodman, board member of The Andrew Goodman Foundation and brother of Andrew Goodman, reflected on the enduring impact of that summer. “The legacy of Freedom Summer 1964 is a testament to the courage and determination of Andrew, James, and Michael. As we mark this 60th Anniversary, we honor their memory by continuing to advocate for the principles they stood for—racial equality, justice, and the right to vote.”

The National Civic Leadership Training Summit will feature a series of workshops, panels, and keynote speakers designed to inspire and educate participants on civic engagement, social justice, and leadership. This event provides a unique platform to connect, learn, and take action toward building a more equitable society. The Andrew Goodman Foundation invites the public to join the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964 and continue the fight for civil rights and social justice. Register to attend today at 64to24.org.

About The Andrew Goodman Foundation

The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s mission is to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy by training the next generation of leaders, engaging young voters, and challenging restrictive voter suppression laws. The organization is named after Andrew Goodman, a Freedom Summer volunteer and champion of equality and voting rights who was murdered, alongside James Earl Chaney and Michael Schwerner, by the KKK in 1964 while registering Black Americans to vote in Mississippi. To learn more, visit www.andrewgoodman.org.

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