Laman Library unveils new civil rights exhibit | News

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- William F. Laman Public Library opened a new civil rights exhibit.

Friday, the library held a special reception to unveil "For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights."

Special guest speaker Simeon Wright witnessed his cousin Emmett kidnapped in 1955 after whistling at a white woman. His murder and the acquittal of the killers attracted international attention.

"We took the people to trial, and then nothing happened. The jury came back not guilty, and we were eye witnesses to the kidnapping of Emmett Till," said Wright.

Protected against double jeopardy, Roy Bryant and J-W Milam later admitted to the murder in a magazine interview. The case is considered a key moment in motivating the Civil Rights Movement.

The exhibit includes photographs from influential magazines, such as LIFE, JET, and EBONY; CBS news footage; and TV clips from The Ed Sullivan Show in addition to iconic civil rights-era objects.

Laman Library's exhibit runs through March 16. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.lamanlibrary.org.