OnPolitics: Myrlie Evers continues fight against racism even at 90

As the 60th anniversary of Medgar Evers' assassination approaches, his widow reflects on the nation's unfinished business.

Read in browser Read in browser On Politics Tue Mar 21 2023 Hi there, OnPolitics readers! At 90 years old, civil rights pioneer Myrlie Evers is still organizing for justice. After the icon's recent milestone birthday and with the 60th anniversary of civil rights organizer Medgar Evers' assassination approaching, Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page sat down in an exclusive interview with Myrlie Evers-Williams to talk the screening of the movie "Till," her husband's murder and her own crusade against racism.  "The Till case – all of that takes me right back to the time when the love of my life, the father of my children, my husband was shot down dead at our doorstep June the 12th, 1963," she told USA TODAY, her anger still fresh six decades later. Medgar Evers was targeted by white supremacists for his work as the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi, including his investigation of the kidnapping and torture of Till after he was accused of whistling at a white woman.  Myrlie Evers continued to work for the NAACP after her husband's death, continuing her effort to achieve justice for Medgar Evers and fighting to bring his killer, Byron De La Beckwith, to justice even after two all-white juries elected not to convict him. He was convicted in 1994. More recently, Evers organized a demonstration at her retirement home in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police to protest police brutality against Black men. Her life story is a study of persistence. 🔎 Keep reading: America's 'nasty disease': At 90, civil rights icon Myrlie Evers still marches against racism 📖 For more: Civil rights activists Myrlie Evers-Williams and Fannie Lou Hamer among inspiring women on Mississippi list 📨 Get this newsletter in your inbox: Don't miss our politics coverage. Sign up for OnPolitics. Special education clash: Supreme Court sides unanimously for disabled student Miguel Perez was assigned an aide who didn't know sign language. The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that he didn't have to wait to sue for damages. READ MORE Advertisement Six affiliates of Oath Keepers convicted in connection to Jan. 6 attack 6 people affiliated with the far-right militia known as the Oath Keepers were convicted on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. READ MORE 'It's a trap': Despite Trump's calls for protest, online supporters wary Rather than organizing protests, prominent Trump supporters online are driving a different narrative: That any public events are a law enforcement "trap." READ MORE Will Trump be indicted and arrested? What we know about the process Former President Donald Trump would have his mugshot taken and be fingerprinted if he is indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. READ MORE Rand Paul: Manhattan DA in charge of Trump probe should be in jail House GOP committee chairs have asked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to testify on the investigation into money paid to Stormy Daniels. READ MORE Biden signs bill ordering declassification of COVID origins information President Joe Biden said his administration will declassify and share as much COVID origins information as possible without harming national security. READ MORE Advertisement Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ Newsletters   |    eNewspaper   |   Crosswords Follow Us Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe  •   Manage Newsletters  •  Terms of Service  •   Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  •  Privacy Notice  •   Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy  •  Feedback