The Margaret Walker Center's archival collections document a wide array of facets of Black American history and culture with an emphasis on the Southern experience. This collection examines the contributions of women who participated in the Civil Rights and Black Liberation movements. Featured in this collection are materials from the Frankye Adams-Johnson Black Panther Party collection and several oral histories in which women share first-hand accounts of their roles and actions in various movement activities.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about no-work action taken by around 170 employees of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department over lagging contract negotiations. The missing officers are not expected to cause security issues at the Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper.
A newspaper article from The Afro-American about Lennox Hinds, president of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, speaking out against his critics for his support of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, after being cited by The Ethics Committee of the Middlesex County Bar Association.
A newspaper article from The New Jersey Afro-American about Attorney Jerry Paul, whose appeal of contempt of court from his successful defense of Joanne Little in 1975 was denied by the 4th U.S. Court of Appeals. Little was the first woman in U.S. history to be acquitted for murder using the defense of using deadly force to resist sexual assault.
A newspaper article from the Daily News about the testimony of State Police Detective James Challender describing what he saw at the emergency room where Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) and wounded state trooper Werner Foerster were taken after he was fatally shot. Shakur was on trial for the 1973 murder of Foerster.
A newspaper article from The Home News about a 133 page report from American Foundation, Inc., Institute of Corrections that finds the conditions of Middlesex County Jail, specifically the basement where Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) is being held while on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, to be "grossly inadequate."
A newspaper article from The Black Panther. Connie Matthews interviews Black Panther Party Member and assistant professor Angela Davis following her dismissal from the University of California in September 1969 after she had been fired by the Philosophy Department on the basis of her membership in the Communist Party.
A newspaper article from The Daily News about Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) being in New Jersey to stand trial for the May 1973 killing of a state trooper and the federal suit her attorneys filed for alleged horrible living conditions and violation of civil rights. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of the killing and escaped prison in 1979.
A news blurb from The News Tribune about the failure of defense attorneys to have Judge Theodore Appleby disqualify Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) from her murder trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of the killing and escaped prison in 1979.
A newspaper article from Daily News about the testimony of defense witness Dr. Arthur Davidson during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He testified that the wound in her right shoulder showed that she was holding her right arm pointed straight when she was wounded in the shootout.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about the question of Friday recesses asked for by the defense because of the Muslim faith of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The question has been a feature of the trial and the defense, prosecution, and judge continue to argue over it.
Gladys Noel Bates moved to Jackson with her family in 1920 and soon after settled in the Farish Street District. She talks extensively about her entire life, including her childhood and family, attending school during desegregation, and her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
Gaynette Pugh participated in the Civil Rights Movement in Gulfport, Mississippi, during Freedom Summer in 1964. It was during this work that she was introduced to the Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM), where she and others worked to organize the first Head Start program in the area.
Francis Alexander did extensive Civil Rights Movement work in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, in the 1960s. In this interview, Ms. Alexander talks in detail about that work as well as her work in the greater Rolling Fork community. Later, she went on to open a Head Start school in her home after she began teaching her own children how to read and write.
A newspaper article from The Home News about the murder trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. She will remain in solitary confinement at least until U.S. District Court Judge George Barlow returns from vacation at the end of August to take action on the motion to move her to women's general population.
A newspaper article from The New Jersey Afro-American about Judge Theodore Appleby barring the testimony of an FBI agent and senator. Chief defense attorney William Kunstler wanted to use the testimony to establish a police conspiracy against Black militants in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper.
A red and black button with a picture of Fannie Lou Hamer and her name in print. Ms. Hamer was a renowned leader in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement. She worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to organize Freedom Summer in 1964 and was also vice-chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Native Jacksonian, Elizabeth Thames discusses her experiences as the owner of Boot's Flower Shop on Farish Street, where she worked over 25 years as designer, manager and owner. She talks about the effect of the Civil Rights Movement on the general welfare of the people in the district as well as the effects on her business.
A newspaper article from The New York Times about the testimony of defense witness Dr. David Spain during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He testified that the scar from a bullet hole on the body of Shakur shows that her arm was raised high in the direction of the gun that shot her.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about testimony in the Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The prosecution objected to Shakur taking a photograph of her daughter to the stand for her testimony, and the judge upheld the objection on the grounds he felt it might sway the jury.
A newspaper article from The Home News about a 133 page report from American Foundation, Inc., Institute of Corrections that recommends a host of changes for the Middlesex County Workhouse and county jail after finding both facilities "fall far short" of standards for prisons.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about Assata Shakur's (JoAnne Chesimard) return to the Middlesex County Jail from Rikers Island Prison to stand trial for the May 1973 killing of a state trooper. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of killing the state trooper during a shootout, escaped prison in 1979, and is still wanted by the FBI.
A newspaper article from The Home News about ammunition found in a purse and suitcase found in the car driven by Clark Squire and occupied by Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard). Shakur was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper and Squire had previously been convicted of the crime in a separate trial.
An article from Daily News about Lennox Hinds, president of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, speaking out against his critics for his support of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) after being cited by The Ethics Committee of the Middlesex County Bar Association during Shakur’s trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about the testimony of defense witness Dr. Arthur Turner Davidson, a surgeon with emphasis on traumatic surgery, during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He goes into detail about the injuries Shakur and the others sustained in the shootout.
A newspaper article from The Star-Ledger about the testimony of defense witness Dr. David Spain during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He testified about the wounds she sustained, arguing that she couldn’t have shot from a crouching position due to the position of her wounds from the shootout.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about items entered into evidence by the prosecution in the Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The slain trooper’s bloodied uniform shirt was submitted into evidence, as well as bullet fragments pulled from the body, autopsy photos, and two firearms.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about Superior Court Judge Theodore Appleby postponing jury selection for the murder trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper until September after her new defense team was late to file pre-trial motions.
A newspaper article from The New Jersey Afro-American about Superior Court Judge Theodore Appleby barring the testimony of an FBI agent and senator in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Attorney William Kunstler wanted to use the testimony to establish a police conspiracy against Black militants.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune detailing the testimony Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) gave during her trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. In her testimony, given during 20 minutes of questioning by the defense and 90 minutes of cross-examination, she denied shooting anyone and gave her account of what happened that day.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger detailing the testimony Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) gave during her trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. In her testimony, she claimed her innocence and gave her account of what happened that day.
