This Black History Month, we proudly honor the life and courageous contributions of Reverend George Lee. "In 1954, blacks in Belzoni, Miss., outnumbered whites 2-to-1. But like all Southern blacks, they were not allowed to attend white schools. They were forbidden to eat in white restaurants. They would be arrested if they sat in bus seats reserved for whites. And they did not vote... With the help of his friend Gus Courts, Reverend George Lee started a chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. They printed leaflets and held meetings, urging blacks to pay the poll tax (a fee for voting that was later outlawed by the Voting Rights Act) and to register to vote. Whites in town immediately organized a White Citizens Council to fight back. The names of blacks registered to vote were put on a list and circulated to white businessmen who retaliated by firing them from their jobs, denying them credit and raising their rent. White officials offered Lee protection on the condition he end his voter registration efforts. Lee refused. On May 7, 1955, Lee was driving toward home when he was hit by gunfire from a passing car. With half his face blown apart, Lee pulled himself out of the car and made his way to a cabstand. Two black drivers took him to the hospital where he died." - SPLC To learn more about the sacrifices, courageous contributions, and righteous stand of Civil Rights Martyrs, please visit the Southern Poverty Law Center and make a contribution to their good work:

Civil Rights Martyrs: https://bit.ly/Civil-Rights-Martyrs

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