MI SR0134

Recognizes the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, a 1964 civil rights campaign in Mississippi that brought 1,500 volunteers from across the country to register Black voters, establish Freedom Schools, and support the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.

Honors over 75 Michigan residents who participated in Freedom Summer despite facing violent resistance, alongside 1,000 student volunteers, 254 clergy members, 169 attorneys, and 50 medical professionals.

Documents the brutality and violence of Freedom Summer, including 2 student volunteers and 4 Mississippi residents murdered, 80 volunteers beaten, 37 churches firebombed or burned, and at least 30 Black homes and businesses destroyed.

Notes that Freedom Schools enrolled 30,000 students, over 50 Freedom libraries were established, and 60,000 residents voted for an integrated slate of delegates to challenge Mississippi's segregated party delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Affirms that voting rights remain essential to democracy while recognizing Michigan's leadership in voter registration, election turnout, and election security.