Eye for an Eye: The Role of Armed Resistance ... - Freedom Archives

Besides this group of protective guys, Chinn's defiant attitude inspired support for
the Movement and a growing militance in certain working class and poor commu-
nities . Similar to haven communities in Walthal, Mileston and Danville, Virginia,
certain Canton neighborhoods were feared by local whites . Speaking to the
protection they received in certain communities, Dennis remembered "Black folks
said you (nightriders) don't come into this area." With this in mind the CORE
Freedom House was strategically located across the street from a housing project.
The residents of the project often provided CORE workers with protection from
nightriders . Local people even provided "nonviolent" CORE workers with a rifle
to protect themselves.-
Closing Chinn's business wasn't enough for the segregationists . After
warnings and economic reprisal, Chinn did not bend or compromise, but was an
inspiration to Movement forces and the Black community. The CORE voter
registration campaign was beginning to develop steam, recruiting young people
and winning the support of adults . Less than a month after the campaign began,
in one week in late June, twelve Blacks succeeded in registering , while eighteen
were turned away. It was obvious to the white power structure Chinn's presence
and influence had to be eliminated . On one summer night in 1963, Chinn's was
stopped by police while driving his pickup truck. Police observed Chinn's .45
automatic handgun on the front seat of the truck which was legal by Mississippi
law. Obviously to silence him and take him off the street, police arrested Chinn on
felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon . Chinn was convicted and spent
six months in prison . In spite of this the Canton Movement continued and new
leaders like former school teacher Annie Devine joined the voter registration