On this day in 1960

April 24, 1960

A mob attacked about 125 protesters, including Dr. Gilbert Mason, with bricks, chains, baseball bats, cue sticks and pipes after they walked onto “whites-only” Biloxi Beach.

Police arrested the protesters, instead of those acting violently. By the time dawn broke, more than 20 Black Mississippians had been injured.

“Tetanus shots had to be administered, gashes were sewn, and eye and head injuries were tended to. Most of the demonstrators were beaten badly as onlookers, such as the law enforcement, stood watching,” the Mississippi Civil Rights Project wrote.

Before the week ended, two Black youths, Malcomb Jackson, a member of Mason’s scout troop, and Bud Strong had become victims of the racist violence. A U.S. National Science Foundation ocean research vessel under construction will be named after Mason to honor the legacy of him and his family.

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