Lowndes County Freedom Organization facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lowndes County Freedom Organization
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|---|---|
| Chairperson | John Hulett |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Lowndes County, Alabama |
| Ideology | Racial equality |
| Political position | Left-wing |
The Lowndes County Freedom Organization (LCFO) was a political group started in 1965 in Lowndes County, Alabama. It was also known as the Lowndes County Freedom Party (LCFP). This independent group was formed by African-American citizens in the area, led by John Hulett. Staff members from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), led by Stokely Carmichael, also helped create it. The LCFO aimed to give Black citizens a stronger voice in politics.
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How the LCFO Started
In March 1965, a famous march from Selma to Montgomery was happening. During this march, Stokely Carmichael and other SNCC members decided to stop in Lowndes County. They wanted to talk with the people living there. Carmichael bravely challenged two officers who told him to leave a school where he was helping people register to vote. He avoided arrest, which inspired many.
Because of this, Carmichael and the SNCC activists stayed in the county. They worked with local leaders like John Hulett to create the LCFO. Hulett had been active in civil rights groups before.
Why the Black Panther Symbol?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made it easier for African Americans to register and vote. The LCFO's main goal was to help Black people in Lowndes County register. About 80% of the county's population was Black. John Hulett became the LCFO's chairperson. He was one of the first two African Americans to successfully register to vote in Lowndes County.
Local residents and SNCC staff chose not to join the Alabama Democratic Party. This was because the state party was led by Governor George Wallace, who supported segregation. Their party symbol was a white rooster, and their slogan was "White Supremacy."
Many Black residents in Lowndes County could not read or write well. So, the LCFO chose a black panther as its symbol. This helped people easily tell the LCFO apart from the white rooster of the Democratic Party. The black panther symbol stood for strength, dignity, and self-defense. It encouraged Black voters to choose the right candidates. The idea for this powerful logo came from SNCC field secretary Ruth Howard.
The First Election in 1966
The LCFO's efforts in Lowndes County were SNCC's first try at independent Black-led activism. For the 1966 election, the LCFO hoped to win easily. This was because most people in the community were African American.
About 2,000 Black voters were registered in Lowndes County. This was about 39% of all eligible Black voters. This number was almost the same as the number of registered white voters at that time. Even though more Black people were registered, many still worried about white people influencing the election. When the votes were counted on November 8, 1966, no LCFO candidate won.
Challenges During the Election
Many problems happened during this election. Even though more Black people were registered, there were also high rates of people who could not read. This worried the LCFO and SNCC. They feared it would cause Black voters to accidentally vote for the wrong candidate.
On election day, local threats also played a part. Election officials forced Black residents to vote on marked ballots. Voting places were set up where white supremacists stood outside, trying to scare Black voters. These people also watched Black voters as they cast their ballots.
What Happened Next
After not winning elections in 1966 and 1968, the LCFO joined with the Alabama Democratic Party in 1970. After this, former LCFO candidates started winning public offices. John Hulett, for example, was elected sheriff of Lowndes County.
Hulett served as sheriff for 22 years. Then, he served three terms as a judge. His election as sheriff was very important. He became the first Black sheriff of Lowndes County. This area was once known as "Bloody Lowndes" because of its history of racial violence and stopping people from voting. Hulett's leadership showed how Black political power could succeed in the region. It helped more African Americans get involved in local government.
The Black Panther Symbol's Wider Impact
The black panther symbol used by the LCFO later became famous. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale learned about it. They were inspired by the LCFO's example and the wider civil rights movement. In 1966, they adopted the panther for their own group, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. They gave it a stronger meaning, focusing on protecting Black communities.
The Black Panther Party fought against unfair treatment and police violence toward African Americans. They would listen to police radio calls and arrive at scenes, sometimes armed, to make sure police officers acted fairly. The Black Panther Party focused on self-defense and protecting against unfairness in the justice system. They also started community programs. These included free breakfast programs, healthcare clinics, and educational projects. These programs helped Black communities where the government had not provided enough support.
The work of the LCFO was shown in the documentary film Eyes on the Prize. One episode, "The Time Has Come (1964–66)," talked about the shift from "Freedom Now!" to the lasting idea of "Black Power!" This idea still affects racial movements today.
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