MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com)- A photographer who captured iconic images from the Civil Rights Era is donating his camera to the state’s Civil Rights Era is donating his camera to the state’s civil rights museum.
Jerry W. Keahey, Sr. took photos of black students from Tougaloo College during a non-violent sit in at Jackson Municipal Library in 1961.
At the time, the library was for white people only. Mississippi NAACP leader Medgar Evers helped the students plan the sit-in.
4 women and 5 men known as the “Tougaloo Nine” were charged, fined and spent 32 hours in jail.
The case was later dismissed on appeal. Keahey says he hopes his camera will be displayed near his photos in the museum’s exhibit.