The family of Emmett Till has re-created his historic train journey from Chicago to Mississippi to commemorate the 70th anniversary of his lynching, an event that became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. The train departed from Chicago’s Union Station on the evening of March 14, 2025, arriving in Greenwood, Mississippi, the following morning, coinciding with the anniversary of Till’s murder.
This journey mirrors the one that 14-year-old Till took in 1955 to visit relatives. His tragic death after being lynched by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam led to widespread outrage and highlighted the deep-seated racism in the United States. The Emmett Till Interpretive Center and the National Parks Conservation Association organized the commemorative ride, which included notable family members and witnesses of the past.
Among the passengers was the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., Till’s cousin and the last living eyewitness to his abduction. He expressed the importance of the event, stating, “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.” Accompanying him were his wife, Dr. Marvel Parker, and Juliet Louis, the widow of sharecropper Willie Reed, who reported Till’s death and testified during the murder trial.
The significance of this commemoration is underscored by the current political landscape, where several states have enacted laws restricting discussions of racism in education. Additionally, former President Donald Trump had previously advocated for the restoration of memorials honoring Confederate figures, raising concerns about the ongoing struggle for racial equity.
In the context of the 1955 incident, Till was accused by Carolyn Bryant Donham of making unwanted advances, despite conflicting witness testimonies. Following this accusation, Bryant and his brother-in-law abducted Till, brutally murdered him, and disposed of his body in the Tallahatchie River. An all-white jury acquitted the two men, who later confessed to the crime in an interview, further illustrating the racial injustices of the era. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice closed its second investigation into Till’s murder, reflecting the complexity of justice in this historic case.
Commemorative Events and Legacy
To honor Till’s legacy, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center has planned a series of events running from March 14 to March 16, 2025, at Mississippi Valley State University and at the location of Till’s lynching in Drew, Mississippi. Activities will include a theatrical performance, panel discussions, and a memorial service accompanied by a wreath-laying ceremony.
The Chicago History Museum is also hosting an exhibit titled “Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till,” which aims to educate the public about the ongoing issues of racial injustice. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the need to remember this tragic event as a call to action, 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.”
In March 2022, President Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law, marking lynching as a federal hate crime for the first time in U.S. history. This legislative advancement reflects the ongoing efforts to confront and rectify historical injustices, even as more than 200 previous attempts at anti-lynching legislation had failed.
The journey undertaken by Till’s family serves not only as a remembrance of a dark chapter in American history but also as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.