Article from Rich Rusk about Moore's Ford documentary debut from whence it came
This will be big - lots of press coverage and out-of-town guests, now including Alvin Sykes, who led the effort to secure congressional passage of the Emmett Till Bill. He is now seeking funding for the bill, which provides for investigating civil rights cold cases. The Walton County Dem’s are coming – hope you can make it too. Nice flier attached! – Cathi Watkins
Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee
FBI, Justice Dept. Officials, Ex-Klansman Seek Public Support in Solving Moore’s Ford Lynching of 1946
Feds, Locals Head for Monroe, GA to Re-invigorate Investigation
On Saturday, March 28, key Justice Department and FBI officials are headed for Monroe, GA to meet with civic leaders and local residents and build public support for a 62 year old murder investigation.
Beginning at 2 p.m. at the historic Monroe Community Center, filmmaker Keith Beauchamp will screen his one hour documentary, Murders in Black and White, on the Moore's Ford Lynching of July 25, 1946. On that day, a white mob shot repeatedly two African American couples – Roger and Dorothy Malcom, George and Mae Murry Dorsey – at the Moore’s Ford Bridge forty miles east of Atlanta. Already broadcast nationally on TV One, Beauchamp’s film showing, which focuses on current efforts to seek justice, is the premier screening where the crime actually occurred.
At 3:15 p.m., a public forum – “When Justice Rolls Down: Searching for Truth and Healing at the Moore’s Ford Bridge” - will explore ways of enlisting public support for the investigation. In addition to Beauchamp, panelists will include Robert Howard, a local civil rights worker who has pursued the Moore’s Ford killers for 41 years; Cynthia Deitle, Justice Dept’s Civil Rights Unit Chief; a lead FBI investigator on the case; Andrew Sheldon, jury consultant; and Roger Malcom Hayes, son of Roger Malcom.
A surprise panelist is Elwin Wilson, an aging ex-Ku Klux Klansman who in 1961 severely beat civil rights icon John Lewis at a Rock Hill, South Carolina bus stop. Several weeks ago, in Lewis’s D. C. office and then on CNN, Wilson apologized to the Georgia congressman – 48 years later.
“I have been carrying an apology in my heart all those years,” he said.
“I accepted his apology,” said Lewis. “Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. Maybe Mr. Wilson will inspire others to come forward. This (Elwin’s confession) might really make a difference.” Reportedly, Wilson will urge older residents in Oconee and Walton to lay down old prejudices and tell investigators what they know about the Moore’s Ford killings.
Bishop Clarence Harris will moderate the discussion and invite full audience participation.
“Our best chance to bring justice at Moore's Ford,” said Howard of Wilson’s pending visit, the Monroe gathering and on-going FBI efforts. He praised agents for following up leads that he provided.
“March 28 is a great opportunity for Oconee and Walton Counties to acknowledge what happened at the bridge,” said MFMC Vice Chairman and Walton County Commissioner Kirklyn Dixon. “NOW is the time. We need to write a new chapter for Moore’s Ford.”
“The FBI can’t solve these cold case, civil rights murders on their own,” Beauchamp said, fleshing out the call for a reinvigorated investigation. “To find justice and closure at Moore’s’ Ford and elsewhere, we have to overcome the fear that has silenced so many citizens.” With his passion for film making and coordination with the FBI, Beauchamp urged local organizers in the Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee (MFMC) to host the March 28 events.
“Keith is behind so much of this,” said MFMC secretary Rich Rusk. “His film research nearly got indictments in the 1955 Emmett Till murder. He is doing his dead level best not only to solve Moore’s Ford but other historic killings.” Beauchamp interviewed many local residents for his documentary.
Difficulties inherent in a 62 year old murder case, lessons learned with “going public” in successful prosecutions, and Obama administration plans for implementing the Emmett Till Bill, creating a separate Justice Department Civil Rights-Era Cold Case Initiative on these historic murders, are topics for discussion.
Following the March 28 events, the Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee will hold a public meeting on April 11 to consider how best to build public support for the investigation. According to insiders, witnesses with new information were essential in recent cold case convictions in the Deep South. A multi-faith healing service, similar to the 2005 service held in Abbeville, SC in a county where eight lynchings occurred, is being discussed.
“It is time for our local churches to stand up for justice and healing,” said local minister Bishop Harris, who is reaching out to church people for their support.
For those wishing to meet informally with the D. C. guests, the MFMC will host a "Meet and Greet" social at 7 p.m., Friday, March 27 at the same Monroe Community Center on 602 East Church St. A press conference will be held at noon on Saturday, on the steps of the historic Walton County Courthouse in downtown Monroe. Reportedly, the March 28 events will draw regional and national news coverage.
Even though new attitudes and mixed race juries are leading to justice elsewhere, MFMC members concede that prosecuting a 62 year old killing remains extraordinarily difficult.
“What we are asking friends and family of those responsible (for the killings) is really hard,” said MFMC chairman Waymond Archie Mundy, who is African American. “If the shoe was on the other foot, how many of us would turn in our own family?”
“We should try to understand why they (descendents) have been silent for so long,” continued Mundy. “The people who done this - brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers, grandfathers, friends – were people that they loved. This is also part of our healing, to understand why this happened – both the killings and the coverup.”
“At the same time, justice must be done.”
By Rich Rusk, Secretary
Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee 911 words
Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee
FBI, Justice Dept. Officials, Ex-Klansman Seek Public Support in Solving Moore’s Ford Lynching of 1946
Feds, Locals Head for Monroe, GA to Re-invigorate Investigation
On Saturday, March 28, key Justice Department and FBI officials are headed for Monroe, GA to meet with civic leaders and local residents and build public support for a 62 year old murder investigation.
Beginning at 2 p.m. at the historic Monroe Community Center, filmmaker Keith Beauchamp will screen his one hour documentary, Murders in Black and White, on the Moore's Ford Lynching of July 25, 1946. On that day, a white mob shot repeatedly two African American couples – Roger and Dorothy Malcom, George and Mae Murry Dorsey – at the Moore’s Ford Bridge forty miles east of Atlanta. Already broadcast nationally on TV One, Beauchamp’s film showing, which focuses on current efforts to seek justice, is the premier screening where the crime actually occurred.
At 3:15 p.m., a public forum – “When Justice Rolls Down: Searching for Truth and Healing at the Moore’s Ford Bridge” - will explore ways of enlisting public support for the investigation. In addition to Beauchamp, panelists will include Robert Howard, a local civil rights worker who has pursued the Moore’s Ford killers for 41 years; Cynthia Deitle, Justice Dept’s Civil Rights Unit Chief; a lead FBI investigator on the case; Andrew Sheldon, jury consultant; and Roger Malcom Hayes, son of Roger Malcom.
A surprise panelist is Elwin Wilson, an aging ex-Ku Klux Klansman who in 1961 severely beat civil rights icon John Lewis at a Rock Hill, South Carolina bus stop. Several weeks ago, in Lewis’s D. C. office and then on CNN, Wilson apologized to the Georgia congressman – 48 years later.
“I have been carrying an apology in my heart all those years,” he said.
“I accepted his apology,” said Lewis. “Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. Maybe Mr. Wilson will inspire others to come forward. This (Elwin’s confession) might really make a difference.” Reportedly, Wilson will urge older residents in Oconee and Walton to lay down old prejudices and tell investigators what they know about the Moore’s Ford killings.
Bishop Clarence Harris will moderate the discussion and invite full audience participation.
“Our best chance to bring justice at Moore's Ford,” said Howard of Wilson’s pending visit, the Monroe gathering and on-going FBI efforts. He praised agents for following up leads that he provided.
“March 28 is a great opportunity for Oconee and Walton Counties to acknowledge what happened at the bridge,” said MFMC Vice Chairman and Walton County Commissioner Kirklyn Dixon. “NOW is the time. We need to write a new chapter for Moore’s Ford.”
“The FBI can’t solve these cold case, civil rights murders on their own,” Beauchamp said, fleshing out the call for a reinvigorated investigation. “To find justice and closure at Moore’s’ Ford and elsewhere, we have to overcome the fear that has silenced so many citizens.” With his passion for film making and coordination with the FBI, Beauchamp urged local organizers in the Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee (MFMC) to host the March 28 events.
“Keith is behind so much of this,” said MFMC secretary Rich Rusk. “His film research nearly got indictments in the 1955 Emmett Till murder. He is doing his dead level best not only to solve Moore’s Ford but other historic killings.” Beauchamp interviewed many local residents for his documentary.
Difficulties inherent in a 62 year old murder case, lessons learned with “going public” in successful prosecutions, and Obama administration plans for implementing the Emmett Till Bill, creating a separate Justice Department Civil Rights-Era Cold Case Initiative on these historic murders, are topics for discussion.
Following the March 28 events, the Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee will hold a public meeting on April 11 to consider how best to build public support for the investigation. According to insiders, witnesses with new information were essential in recent cold case convictions in the Deep South. A multi-faith healing service, similar to the 2005 service held in Abbeville, SC in a county where eight lynchings occurred, is being discussed.
“It is time for our local churches to stand up for justice and healing,” said local minister Bishop Harris, who is reaching out to church people for their support.
For those wishing to meet informally with the D. C. guests, the MFMC will host a "Meet and Greet" social at 7 p.m., Friday, March 27 at the same Monroe Community Center on 602 East Church St. A press conference will be held at noon on Saturday, on the steps of the historic Walton County Courthouse in downtown Monroe. Reportedly, the March 28 events will draw regional and national news coverage.
Even though new attitudes and mixed race juries are leading to justice elsewhere, MFMC members concede that prosecuting a 62 year old killing remains extraordinarily difficult.
“What we are asking friends and family of those responsible (for the killings) is really hard,” said MFMC chairman Waymond Archie Mundy, who is African American. “If the shoe was on the other foot, how many of us would turn in our own family?”
“We should try to understand why they (descendents) have been silent for so long,” continued Mundy. “The people who done this - brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers, grandfathers, friends – were people that they loved. This is also part of our healing, to understand why this happened – both the killings and the coverup.”
“At the same time, justice must be done.”
By Rich Rusk, Secretary
Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee 911 words
Comments