The family of Emmett Till has commemorated the 70th anniversary of his lynching by re-creating his 1955 train journey from Chicago to Mississippi. This event not only honors Till, who was a 14-year-old Black boy brutally murdered, but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism in the United States. The symbolic ride took place on the anniversary of his death, highlighting the enduring impact of his story on the Civil Rights Movement.
Departing from Chicago’s Union Station on the evening of March 14, 2025, the family arrived in Greenwood, Mississippi, on the morning of March 15. This journey mirrors the one Till took decades earlier to visit relatives before his tragic death. The event was organized by the Emmett Till Interpretive Center and the National Parks Conservation Association, bringing together family members and supporters to reflect on the past and advocate for justice.
Among the passengers was Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., Till’s cousin and the last living eyewitness to his kidnapping. Accompanied by his wife, Dr. Marvel Parker, and Juliet Louis, the widow of sharecropper Willie Reed, who testified at the subsequent murder trial, the group emphasized the importance of remembrance and progress. Rev. Parker stated, “We’re not here to stir up animosity or hate, but to remind people of how far we’ve come and how much progress we’ve made.”
The historical context of Till’s murder is stark. In 1955, he was lynched by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam after being accused by Carolyn Bryant Donham of making inappropriate advances. Despite witness accounts indicating that Till merely whistled at her, he was abducted, brutally mutilated, and killed. An all-white jury acquitted Bryant and Milam, even though they later confessed to the crime in a magazine interview. This case drew international attention to systemic racism and injustices within the American legal system, issues that many believe persist today.
In 2008, Donham reportedly recanted her accusation, but the U.S. Department of Justice closed its second investigation into Till’s murder in 2021, noting that the case remains a painful chapter in American history. Donham passed away in 2023, further complicating the narrative of accountability and justice.
The 70th anniversary events are not limited to the train ride. The Emmett Till Interpretive Center is hosting a series of activities from March 14 to March 16, 2025, at Mississippi Valley State University and the barn where Till was lynched in Drew, Mississippi. These events include panel discussions, a theatrical performance, and a memorial service with a wreath-laying ceremony.
Additionally, the Chicago History Museum is showcasing an exhibit titled “Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till,” aimed at educating visitors about the historical significance of Till’s story and its relevance today. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed the importance of continuing the fight for justice, stating, “We will continue to use this horrific tragedy…Emmett Till’s murder, as a constant reminder of how we have to continue to fight for justice.”
This commemorative effort comes in a broader context of legislative actions, including the signing of the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act by former President Biden in March 2022, which made lynching a federal hate crime for the first time in U.S. history. Despite over 200 previous attempts to address this issue, the passage of this law marked a significant step toward acknowledging and confronting racial violence in America.
As the Till family reflects on their legacy, they hope to inspire future generations to uphold the values of justice and equality. The train ride is not just a journey through space, but also a journey through time, reminding everyone of the profound changes and challenges that continue to shape American society.
