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Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement

James Forman, like many of the SNCC field staff, was a powerful stump speaker. Here he works the crowd at the Danville, Virginia mass meeting. An hour later he will be searched by police holding shotguns and automatic weapons

1963, printed later
(American, b. 1942)
America
gelatin silver print
Image: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg 2023.83
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Did You Know?

In 1960, almost 25% of the residents of Danville, Virginia, were Black people.

Description

When local peaceful protests against segregation were met with harsh repression and violence, national organizations sent state and national leaders to their aid. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) sent its executive secretary James Forman (1928-2005), who was a potent orator. Lyon printed two frames side by side of Forman mid-speech to convey his animation, power, and charisma.
James Forman, like many of the SNCC field staff, was a powerful stump speaker. Here he works the crowd at the Danville, Virginia mass meeting. An hour later he will be searched by police holding shotguns and automatic weapons

James Forman, like many of the SNCC field staff, was a powerful stump speaker. Here he works the crowd at the Danville, Virginia mass meeting. An hour later he will be searched by police holding shotguns and automatic weapons

1963, printed later

Danny Lyon

(American, b. 1942)
America

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