James Chaney Memorial Day Saturday

Published 4:06 am Thursday, May 26, 2016

To keep the memory of a civil rights icon alive and bring awareness to a park named in his honor, Meridian City Councilwoman Kim Houston and Meridian Parks and Recreation encourage the community to James Chaney Memorial Day in the Park Saturday.

James Earl Chaney, a Meridian native, was killed in June 1964, along with Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman during Freedom Summer, a drive to register African-Americans to vote.

Last year, elected officials, civil rights leaders, and area residents gathered at the James Chaney Memorial Ball Field to rededicate the park, which sat idle for longer than most people can remember. For years, the stretch of land that runs along Paulding Street between 39th and 40th avenues was overgrown with weeds and considered no more than a vacant lot for nearby residents.

Houston said having the yearly event will hopefully help residents be more mindful on what the park has to offer and the place it holds in the community.

“May 30 is Mr. Chaney’s birthday, to honor that, and since the park is named in his honor, we don’t want the park to get back in the same condition it was once in,” Houston said. “We want to have this event to let people know it is a nice safe place for people to come.

“We are also working on getting some more things out there, like a playground for the children,” she said.

Activities planned for the day include a kid’s zone, baseball, soccer, jump houses and other activities. Vendors will be available, along with free food and soft drinks for the kids. Music will be provided throughout the day by The Turntable Genius.

“This year we are going to try to have more activities for the youth, like baseball and soccer, and if the grown people want to play too, they can,” Houston said. “We will also have words of encouragement from Pastor W.C. Brown. He’s going to come and talk about remembering Mr. Chaney, and what is expected of us today.

“And since it is Memorial Day weekend, we will also take time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”

Houston said it is vitally important for today’s generation to know two things: first, you don’t have to be that old to make a difference.

“Mr. Chaney was just 21 when he was killed, he was from Meridian, and I’m told grew up close to where the park is located,” Houston said. “Secondly, people died so we as African-Americans, women and others can have the right to vote, have an education, and have all these things that we now enjoy.

“We shouldn’t take it for granted, and I think if we can keep that in front of people, especially our youth, it will inspire, and help them to stay in school, not do drugs, and find a worthy cause to stand up for, so they too can make a difference.”

Want to go?

What: James Chaney Memorial Day in the Park

When: Saturday, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Where: James Chaney Park, 40th Avenue and Paulding Street