The March Against Fear

DOI
A large group of people are gathered outside a building, some sitting on a curb, some standing, and some walking. Brown University student Michael P. Gross holds a sign reading, “UAW Supports Freedom to Work to Walk to Vote.”
Brown University student Michael P. Gross stands in the foreground, facing the camera. Behind him, a group of men stand on a porch and talk.

In June 1966, Michael P. Gross (Brown ‘64, P ‘93, P ‘05) and Joel Pasternack (Brown ‘65) traveled to Tougaloo College, along with a group of Brown undergraduates and other recent graduates, to tutor incoming freshmen. There, the group witnessed civil rights activist James Meredith’s March Against Fear, a 220-mile walk that started in Memphis. When Meredith was shot by a white gunman in Hernando, MS, many Black luminaries continued the march, including Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and Stokely Carmichael. Stopping at Tougaloo College for food and rest, the marchers attracted many students, including the group from Brown, who joined the march for the last ten miles to Jackson.

Several men, including civil rights activist James Meredith, stand together outside, engaged in conversation. Brown University student Michael P. Gross stands in the foreground, facing the camera.
Martin Luther King Junior standing on a porch at a summer gathering

The picture of King was taken by Gross, shown in a white polo shirt. All others were taken by Pasternack, including the photo of James Meredith wearing a pith helmet. All photos are from the personal collection of Michael P. Gross.

Martin Luther King Junior, in a polo shirt, sunglasses, and boater hat, smiling from a porch at a summer gathering