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New Jersey joins the Mississippi Freedom Trail with a marker for Atlantic City

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New Jersey now has its own marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail, making it the first state outside of Mississippi to be included on the marker.

The Freedom Trail is part of the United States Civil Rights Trail and consists of over 30 locations that played a key role in the civil rights movement.

The memorial in New Jersey was unveiled on Tuesday and is part of a series of commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Summer voting rights movement of 1964. Freedom Summer was an effort to register as many black voters as possible in Mississippi as part of a larger civil rights movement.

The sign honors the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the steps it took toward equality at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The convention was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, where the sign is located.

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The convention was “a pivotal moment in civil rights history, played a critical role in fighting racial segregation, and was considered the defining event of Freedom Summer,” according to a Freedom Trail press release. “This historic convention led to significant advances in the civil rights movement. The efforts of Freedom Summer activists in Mississippi were joined by volunteers and organizations in New Jersey who helped shape the future of voting rights in America.”

Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way said it was an honor for the state to be the first outside of Mississippi to receive the award.

“Atlantic City is home to several sites that honor the state's civil rights history, including the Civil Rights Garden and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey,” she said. “Today, this new Freedom Trail sign symbolizes the community's role in supporting Freedom Summer activists who fought for equal representation for Black voters, which played a key role in the civil rights movement and forever changed the course of U.S. electoral history.”

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves echoed her sentiments.

“Mississippi is proud to unveil the first Freedom Trail marker outside of our state, bringing our rich history and the stories of the Civil Rights Movement to Atlantic City. We thank the State of New Jersey, Atlantic City, Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way for their partnership in honoring this important chapter in our shared history.”

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