By John Howell Sr.

Author Bruce Watson and Chris Williams, a former civil right volunteer who worked in Panola County during the summer of 1964, will discuss Watson’s new book, Freedom Summer, Monday, June 14 at West Camp M. B. Church in Batesville.

Freedom Summer offers the most comprehensive record to date about the summer of 1964 when over 700 out-of-state volunteers dispersed among Mississippi communities to encourage voter registration and open “Freedom Schools” in black communities for children and adults.

The workers of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) joined the ongoing work of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee to organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party which challenged the state’s regular Democratic Party delegation at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Freedom Summer details not only the murders of Andrew Goodman, James Cheney and Michael Schwerner in Neshoba County but dozens of assaults and other incidents across the state, including Panola County where Williams arrived in June shortly after he finished high school. At age 18, Williams was the youngest of the volunteers that summer. He ended up staying for a year.

“During that time I met some remarkable people, had many incredible experiences and learned much about my country,” Williams said. “It made an indelible impression on my subsequent life.”

Watson’s previous books include Sacco and Vanzetti and Bread and Roses.

“Meet author Bruce Watson and hear him read a section about Batesville,” said Peggy Walters. West Camp church is located near Tubbs Road at 157 Hadorn Road in Batesville. The event will start at 7 p.m.