Freedom Summer

Join Ann Curry for the dramatic reunions of people who lost touch after the civil rights movement. Fatima hopes to thank Thelma for her courage in the face of racism, and Sherie searches for the friend who inspired her commitment to social justice.

Volunteer Sherie Labedis describes Louis ‘Lefty’ Bryant, the activist who led her volunteer group in the summer of 1965 and explains why she wants to find him again.

CORE campaigner Fatima Cortez Todd describes the threats she received and the dangers she faced for supporting the civil rights movement. She explains how brave Thelma Caulfield and her family were in the face of this danger.

Sherie Labedis returns to South Carolina, and meets with fellow former SCOPE campaigner Robert Gadsden. They return to a restaurant that was the site of an anti-segregation protest in 1965 after which they were followed and Louis ‘Lefty’ Bryant was beaten up.

Sherie Labedis travels to Charleston, South Carolina to meet with Professor Jon Hale at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Professor Hale has been searching for information on activist Louis ‘Lefty’ Bryant and has some information to share with Sherie.