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

Natchez Klan group played a role in COFO's lack of success . In spite of the
terrorist intimidation of the Klan, COFO remained and attempted to build the
local campaign to register voters . The local police seemed to offer no significant
protection from the Klan . The Natchez Police, ChiefJ.T. Robinson, was also a
vocal advocate of white supremacy and had no problems using force to uphold the
system of segregation . Some local Blacks also believed the Natchez police feared
the Klan . While Natchez Mayor John Nosser called for racial tolerance he had no
effective control over the Natchez police or Chief Robinson?a
Prior to COFO activity in Natchez, the NAACP was the primary Move-
ment organization in Natchez. While there was some competition between COFO
and the local NAACP, the two organizations had established a cooperative rela
tionship . Some COFO workers even resided at the home of local NAACP leader
George Metcalf. The relationship between COFO and the Natchez NAACP
became strained with the involvement and leadership of Charles Evers in the
Adams County Movement . Evers and COFO leaders differed on the strategy and
tactics of the local movement as well as methods of organizing and decision
making.
Evers involvement in the Natchez Movement meant a more visible de-
fense presence to counter the violent terror of the local Klan . The presence of
Evers was complimented by the security team that had developed around him in
Jackson. In the Spring of 1965, Evers led a campaign to desegregate local hotels .
During this campaign, white hostility grew to the point where Evers's security
team had to position snipers at the Holiday Inn where the NAACP leader was
residing in Adams County. Later that same summer an incident would occur that