{"id":1055,"date":"2026-09-30T11:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/?p=1055"},"modified":"2026-09-30T11:26:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:26:02","slug":"edwin-walker-and-the-ole-miss-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/2026\/09\/30\/edwin-walker-and-the-ole-miss-scandal\/","title":{"rendered":"Edwin Walker and the Ole Miss Scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The tensions surrounding integration in the 1960s were palpable. When <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2573716\/m1\/?q=james%20meredith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James Meredith<\/a> became the first black man admitted to the University of Mississippi, with the help of NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers, the public reaction was passionate and divisive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Audio at (00:56)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2566633\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>School officials made efforts to obstruct Meredith&#8217;s admission to the university. Even the Mississippi governor, staunch segregationist Ross Barnett, attempted to put him in jail on trumped up charges of &#8220;moral turpitude&#8221; (for accidentally writing &#8220;1960&#8221; instead of &#8220;1961&#8221; while registering to vote). Meanwhile, Barnett was stoking racially charged frenzy among the Ole Miss students and Texas governor candidate Edwin Walker decided to join in on the anti-integration rhetoric.<\/p>\n<p>Audio at (00:24)<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2544552\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who was Edwin Walker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Edwin Walker was a major general for the US Army during WWII and the Korean War. After being assigned to Arkansas to protect the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth135661\/m1\/1\/?q=%22little%20rock%20nine%22~1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Little Rock Nine<\/a>&#8221; in 1957 and quell the tensions surrounding integration, Walker believed it went against his conscience and resigned in 1961 to pursue his conservative political aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc978055\/m1\/3\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"919\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc978055_xl_UNTA_AR0787-014-1962-02-02-01_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc978055_xl_UNTA_AR0787-014-1962-02-02-01_03.jpg 919w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc978055_xl_UNTA_AR0787-014-1962-02-02-01_03-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc978055_xl_UNTA_AR0787-014-1962-02-02-01_03-768x250.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite losing his bid for governor against <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2565317\/m1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Connally<\/a>, the admission of James Meredith seemed like a good opportunity for Walker to voice his segregationist views and boost his political clout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ole Miss Riots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In September 1962, President John F. Kennedy and his brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy negotiated with a reluctant Governor Barnett to allow James Meredith to attend the University of Mississippi (under threat of being jailed for contempt) and ordered U.S. marshals to Oxford to escort Meredith safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1523911\/m1\/1\/?q=paul%20guihard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"859\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666-1.jpg 859w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666-1-300x65.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666-1-768x167.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The clash of angry segregationists (including members of the Ku Klux Klan) and integrationist counter-protestors led to violent riots that led to the death of two people and multiple injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1523911\/?q=ole%20miss%20riots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1065\" style=\"width:454px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666.jpg 502w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1523911_xl_0666-300x268.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1905733\/m1\/6\/?q=paul%20guihard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"165\" height=\"65\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1905733_xl_00865.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1067\" style=\"width:347px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1797072\/m1\/1\/?q=paul%20guihard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1797072_xl_00001-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1061\" style=\"width:474px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1797072_xl_00001-1.jpg 504w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1797072_xl_00001-1-242x300.jpg 242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:45% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1797072\/m1\/1\/?q=paul%20guihard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"177\" height=\"226\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1797072_xl_00001-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1171 size-full\"\/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Amidst the chaos, Edwin Walker was arrested on grounds of inciting a rebellion or insurrection. <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2566953\/m1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robert F. Kennedy<\/a> ordered to have Walker committed to a mental institution where he was held for five days.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc982574\/m1\/1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc982574_xl_UNTA_AR0787-015-1962-11-08-02_01-1024x462.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc982574_xl_UNTA_AR0787-015-1962-11-08-02_01-1024x462.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc982574_xl_UNTA_AR0787-015-1962-11-08-02_01-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc982574_xl_UNTA_AR0787-015-1962-11-08-02_01-768x347.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc982574_xl_UNTA_AR0787-015-1962-11-08-02_01.jpg 1054w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2566037\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1963: AssassiNation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 10, 1963, Walker was in his home office when suddenly a <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth339202\/m1\/1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bullet<\/a> shot through his window, fragments striking his arm. Police investigators claimed it was a close call by someone who had demonstrated intent to kill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1814285\/m1\/1\/?q=medgar%20evers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1814285_xl_00001-1024x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1814285_xl_00001-1024x208.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1814285_xl_00001-300x61.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1814285_xl_00001-768x156.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1814285_xl_00001.jpg 1033w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:31% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1261622\/?q=medgar%20evers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"454\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-454x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1124 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-454x1024.jpg 454w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-133x300.jpg 133w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-768x1731.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-681x1536.jpg 681w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-909x2048.jpg 909w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1261622_xl_PMMS_18-11-01_01-1-scaled.jpg 1136w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Two months later on June 12th, Medgar Evers was murdered at his own home in Mississippi by KKK member Byron De La Beckwith.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Then in November, the nation changed forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth824193\/m1\/1\/?q=kennedy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth824193_xl_0001-1024x148.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth824193_xl_0001-1024x148.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth824193_xl_0001-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth824193_xl_0001-768x111.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth824193_xl_0001.jpg 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While investigating the president&#8217;s assassination, the Warren Commission confirmed that Lee Harvey Oswald was the shooter that attempted to kill Edwin Walker in April, based on testimony by Oswald&#8217;s wife <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1062772\/m1\/?q=marina%20oswald\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1062772\/m1\/?q=marina%20oswald\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marina<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc954143\/m1\/1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc954143_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1963-12-31-09_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc954143_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1963-12-31-09_01.jpg 876w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc954143_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1963-12-31-09_01-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc954143_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1963-12-31-09_01-768x335.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth338185\/m1\/7\/?q=marina%20oswald%20edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"955\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth338124_xl_DSMA_91-001-2009003-3982_07-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth338124_xl_DSMA_91-001-2009003-3982_07-1.jpg 955w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth338124_xl_DSMA_91-001-2009003-3982_07-1-300x31.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth338124_xl_DSMA_91-001-2009003-3982_07-1-768x80.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 955px) 100vw, 955px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly went out a bought a rifle after hearing Edwin Walker give an anticommunist speech during his &#8220;Operation Midnight Ride&#8221; tour with Christian evangelist Billy James Hargis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Audio at (00:31)<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc2567007\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Associated Press v. Walker<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1964, Walker filed a two-million-dollar <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1062750\/m1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">libel lawsuit<\/a> against the Associated Press for reporting that he led the riots at Ole Miss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth338294\/m1\/3\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"956\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc959206_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-08-03_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc959206_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-08-03_01.jpg 956w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc959206_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-08-03_01-300x46.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc959206_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-08-03_01-768x119.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1094575\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc960322\/m1\/1\/?q=edwin%20walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1003\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960322_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-10-02_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960322_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-10-02_01.jpg 1003w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960322_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-10-02_01-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960322_xl_UNTA_AR0787-017-1964-06-10-02_01-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The court eventually granted Edwin Walker $800,000 in damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960317_xl_UNTA_AR0787-018-1964-06-19-04_01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"916\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960317_xl_UNTA_AR0787-018-1964-06-19-04_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960317_xl_UNTA_AR0787-018-1964-06-19-04_01.jpg 916w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960317_xl_UNTA_AR0787-018-1964-06-19-04_01-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metadc960317_xl_UNTA_AR0787-018-1964-06-19-04_01-768x265.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Interview with Walker after the ruling. Audio begins at (02:05)<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1094557\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aftermath<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>James Meredith endured harassment and racist threats but managed to graduate from the University of Mississippi in 1963 with a degree in political science. In June 1966, he began a one-man &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1930150\/m1\/14\/?q=james%20meredith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">March Against Fear<\/a>&#8221; from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi to stand against racism in the South. On his second day of marching, he was shot by a white man in Hernando, Mississippi. Meredith survived his injuries and continued marching, inspiring thousands of Black Americans to register to vote and fight for social change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metapth1815061\/m1\/1\/?q=james%20meredith%20march%20against%20fear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1815061_xl_00001-1024x426.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1815061_xl_00001-1024x426.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1815061_xl_00001-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1815061_xl_00001-768x319.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/09\/metapth1815061_xl_00001.jpg 1318w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This photograph of James Meredith after being shot by Aubrey James Norvell won the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for Photography.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>James Meredith is still alive today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Edwin Walker&#8217;s political career went nowhere and he died in 1993.<\/p>\n<p>Both men are mentioned in the protest song &#8220;The Ballad of Oxford&#8221; by Phil Ochs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ballad of Oxford (Jimmy Meredith)\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5fJZLyb_MzQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out UNT Special Collections&#8217; incredible <a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/search\/?t=fulltext&amp;sort=added_d&amp;fq=untl_collection%3AKXAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KXAS\/NBC 5 News Collection<\/a> to learn more history!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The tensions surrounding integration in the 1960s were palpable. When James Meredith became the first black man admitted to the University of Mississippi, with the help of NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers, the public reaction was passionate and divisive.&nbsp; Audio at (00:56) School officials made efforts to obstruct Meredith&#8217;s admission to the university. Even the&#8230;  <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/2026\/09\/30\/edwin-walker-and-the-ole-miss-scandal\/\" class=\"more-link\" title=\"Read Edwin Walker and the Ole Miss Scandal\">Read more &raquo;<\/a>","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[68],"tags":[77,255,262,257,216,256,48,261,258,259,260,263],"class_list":["post-1055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1960s","tag-civil-rights-movement","tag-edwin-walker","tag-integration","tag-james-meredith","tag-john-f-kennedy","tag-ole-miss","tag-politics","tag-riots","tag-robert-f-kennedy","tag-ross-barnett","tag-scandals","tag-the-south"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8gxVN-h1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1055"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1180,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055\/revisions\/1180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}