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Eugenians Reflect on "Freedom Summer" Fifty Years Later

democracynow.org

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of “Freedom Summer,” a campaign to encourage African-Americans in the South to assert their right to vote. Many volunteers who took part were beaten and arrested, and four civil rights workers killed. Together with thousands of black Mississippians, more than one thousand volunteers participated in the 1964 crusade.  They included Ruth Koenig of  Eugene.  She came to KLCC recently with her friend and life-long Eugene resident Lyllye Reynolds Parker.  Lyllye’s brother was another of the movement’s volunteers.  KLCC’s Claude Offenbacher spoke with them.  He began by asking Ruth what led her to become involved in “Freedom Summer.”

Claude Offenbacher was a reporter and host at KLCC from 1999-2012. He currently volunteers as front desk support and PSA writer.
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