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picture of Lt. Governor Johnson blocking Meredith from entering Ole Miss go to photo credit the controversy

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What was this conflict all about? This section presents you with three different perspectives: James Meredith writes to the United States Justice Department for help; Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett speaks to fellow Mississippians about maintaining an all-white Ole Miss; Attorney General Robert Kennedy expresses the position of the U.S. Justice Department.



  the documents
picture of James Meredith go to James Meredith letter quote by James Meredith: I have applied for admission to the University of Mississippi.
picture of Ross Barnett go to Governor Barnett proclamation quote by Governor Barnett: I shall do everything in my power to prevent integration in our schools.
picture of RFK go to Robert Kennedy statement quote by U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy: Every American has the duty to obey the law and the right to expect that the law will be enforced.



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last updated June 2002