Mississippi Freedom Trail Adds New Marker In Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The Mississippi Freedom Trail, commemorating the state's impact on the American civil rights movement, has a new marker. And it's the first one not to be in Mississippi - it's here in New Jersey.

On Tuesday, Visit Mississippi and New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism (NJTT), along with Visit Atlantic City, unveiled the newest addition to the Freedom Trail outside of the historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. This marker, part of a series commemorating the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer voting rights movement, honors the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and its groundbreaking efforts toward equality at the 1964 Democratic National Convention which took place at Boardwalk Hall.

“Mississippi is proud to unveil the first Freedom Trail marker outside of our state, extending our rich history and the stories of the Civil Rights Movement to Atlantic City,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. “This marker not only honors the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer but also invites visitors to discover more of Mississippi's civil rights legacy. We extend our gratitude to the state of New Jersey, Atlantic City, Governor Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Tahesha Way for their partnership in honoring this critical chapter of our shared history.”

The 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City played a pivotal role in civil rights history, challenging racial segregation and standing as the defining event of Freedom Summer. This historic convention led to significant advancements in the Civil Rights movement. The efforts of Mississippi’s Freedom Summer activists were supported by volunteers and organizations in New Jersey, who helped shape the future of voting rights in America.

“We are honored to feature the first Freedom Trail marker outside of Mississippi,” said New Jersey Acting Gov. Tahesha Way. “Atlantic City is home to several locations that honor the state’s civil rights history, including the Civil Rights Garden and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. Today, this new Freedom Trail marker signifies the community’s role in supporting the Freedom Summer activists to ensure equal representation for Black voters, which played a key role in the Civil Rights movement and forever altered the course of U.S. election history.”