Bevel died Friday in Virginia after a fight with pancreatic cancer, said a daughter, Chevara Orrin, who lives in Winston-Salem, N.C. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Bevel was born on October 19, 1936 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. This beautifully matted collector's photo presentation is a collage. And yes, she dismissed it in that regard. Ms. MILLS: Well first of all, I had that feeling, too, that I didn't want to touch it, that I have moved on with my life. As a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and then as its Director of Direct Action and Nonviolent Education, Bevel initiated, strategized, and developed SCLC's three major successes of the era: the 1963 Birmingham Children's . In 1963, SCLC agreed to assist its co-founder, Fred Shuttlesworth, and others in their work on desegregating retail businesses and jobs in Birmingham, Alabama, where discussion and negotiations with city officials had yielded few results. Where did James Bevel die? All photos and bio are bevel-cut and double matted under glass. Wife Susan Jameson & Adopted Son Details. [32] He engaged in LaRouche seminars on issues including "Is the Anti Defamation League the new KKK? King asked Bevel to refrain from recruiting students, and Bevel instead said that he would organize the children to march to Washington D.C. to meet with Kennedy about segregation, and King agreed. We know that James E Bevel had been residing in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana 46012. He worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bevel, and was the Director of Direct Action, as well as the Director of Nonviolent Education of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Considered Martin Luther King, Jr 's most influential colleague and . After serving seven months he was freed awaiting an appeal; he died of pancreatic cancer in December 2008. James L. Bevel, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement whose legacy was clouded by an incest conviction, has died, a relative said. People Photos Purpose. James Bevel would have been 72 years old at the time of death or 78 years old today. "I am very proud to be the daughter of a man who contributed so much to the world through his civil rights work. Last week, Joanna Connors a reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer told us about how 20 years later being raped still made her feel powerless and ashamed. "Dr. King could not have done the things he did unless he had a James Bevel." ---- Ralph David Abernathy "He was a great philosopher, an unbelievable philosopher." Don't think I thought about James Bevel until he died in 2008 at age 72. Credited by Martin Luther King with initiating the Childrens Crusade during the Birmingham Campaign of 1963, James Bevel emerged as a civil rights leader from the ranks of the Nashville, Tennessee, student movement. Kennedy's staff, who already were drafted one, came to an agreement on its contents with SCLC's leadership. Vivian and others, Bevel participated in the Nashville Sit-In Movement organized by Nash, whom he would later marry to desegregate the city's lunch counters. Bevel also served as pastor and adviser to Chicago's Council of Mothers; the West Side Baptist Minister's Conference; WorkShip Coalition; and the Nation of Islam. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He was 85. After buses and riders were severely attacked, including a firebombing of a bus and beatings with police complicity in Birmingham, Alabama, CORE suspended the rides. How did James Bevel contribute to the Civil Rights Movement? We didn't know each other really, and we were just getting to know each other, but I didn't know how difficult it would be. Memorialize James's life with photos and stories about him and the Bevel family history and genealogy. He enrolled in the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. The 911 call was later reported to be made by Daniel. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. After time in the military service, he became a minister. And I never understood that. And he usually - he played the role of judge and jury in these meetings. And she always told me, no he doesn't do that to me, I have a wonderful relationship with my dad. He died on December 19, 2008 in Springfield, Virginia, USA. Do you see it that way? I don't believe so. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home. Do you have any idea where you were able to find that within yourself to do this? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). As he prepared to work on the Alabama voter registration movement that would later culminate in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, Bevel informed King that more staff was needed to build a nonviolent movement in Alabama. [25], In 1989, Bevel and Abernathy organized the National Committee Against Religious Bigotry and Racism. [5] Together the groups became collectively known as the Selma Voting Rights Movement, with James Bevel as its director. Ms. MILLS: And it's an hour and a half of him explaining his position. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Come on down, stop on by. He also rallied young people in the city to get involved in civil rights demonstrations -- something King and other advisers objected to. But, you know, I was sad because I knew that he wouldn't be a grandfather. Bevel served several months of his 15-year sentence before he was released in November on bond while appealing. I wanted to ask why you decided that now was the time to tell it. At a family reunion, three other daughters had also alleged that Bevel sexually abused them. James Luther Bevel was born in the farming community of Ittabena, Mississippi, on October 19, 1936. Pancreatic cancer James Bevel/Cause of death Bevel died Friday in Virginia after a fight with pancreatic cancer, said a daughter, Chevara Orrin, who lives in Winston-Salem, N.C. What happened James Bevel? While in the Seminary, Bevel joined the Nashville chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), then led by the Reverend James Lawson. One week later, city leaders reached an accord with movement leaders. Updated: November 11, 2011 . Credited by Martin Luther King with initiating the Children's Crusade during the Birmingham Campaign of 1963, James Bevel emerged as a civil rights leader from the ranks of the Nashville, Tennessee, student movement. But prosecutors said his illness should not temper his sentence. [23] Bevel continued to oppose the Poor People's Campaign, but served as its Director of Nonviolent Education. A loud opponent of American involvement in Vietnam, which he viewed as an extension of white oppression of nonwhites, Mr. Bevel was instrumental in Dr. Kings increasingly vocal opposition to the war. Court testimony revealed that accusation had stemmed from a family reunion during which several family members recalled having been molested by Mr. Bevel. Bevel was born to sharecroppers on Oct. 19, 1936, in Itta Bena, Miss., one of 17 children. In 1961, Nash was arrested for "contributing to the delinquency of minors," because she led young people in the fight against segregation. Ms. MILLS: Yeah, that could be some, definitely can. And I would always tell her the things that he did to me and what he would say if he got a chance to do it to her. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose influence spurred a pivotal event of the civil rights movement, the "children's crusade" in Birmingham, Ala., but whose reputation was later marred by fringe political associations and a criminal conviction this year on incest charges involving a teenage daughter, died Friday in Springfield, Va. MARTIN: One thing I want to point out is that one of the reasons that you decided to move forward with pressing charges is that there was a young woman in the house or a young girl in the house, with your father at the time your parents marriage had ended. MARTIN: Because you described kind of a cult-like environment where you were all being, the children, the family, the woman, and the family are being kind of trained to accept a certain kind of behavior. I have to say, I think that it is powerfully courageous thing to do. During this period Bevel joined with fellow seminarian John Lewis, Diane Nash from Fisk University, and Vanderbilts James Lawson in the Nashville movement to initiate a local sit-in campaign in early February 1960. Bevel helped in the brainstorming for the March on Washington in 1963, and the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. During what was later called the Birmingham Children's Crusade, President John F. Kennedy asked King to stop using children in the campaign. But in April, a jury convicted Bevel of incest for having sex more than a decade ago with a then-teenage daughter. 1997 at 38 years old. During that 90-minute call, Bevel's daughter asked him why he had sex with her the one time in 1993, and she asked him why he wanted her to use a vaginal douche afterward. And we really wanted our father based on who he is and his own understanding to take that step to look at himself, to begin to if not challenge other men first by challenging himself. The Institute cannot give permission to use or reproduce any of the writings, statements, or images of Martin Luther King, Jr. Do you think that's what it was? [citation needed] During his speech to the crowd that day, Bevel called for a larger march in Washington D.C., a plan that evolved into the October 1967 March on the Pentagon. The Rev. His legacy in the civil rights movement was clouded when he was convicted in April by a Loudoun County, Va., judge for having sex more than a decade ago with one of his daughters, Aaralyn Mills, who was a teenager at the time. Though initially reluctant, Dr. King finally agreed. At the sentencing hearing, the victims said they were hoping that Bevel would apologize for his actions and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Later efforts in Mississippi developed as Freedom Summer in 1964, when extensive voter education and registration efforts took place. He was recently released on bond while appealing a 15-year prison sentence. He decides what's right and not right. At the turn of the 20th century, southern state legislatures had passed new constitutions and laws that effectively disenfranchised most blacks. James Luther Bevel (born 1936) was a civil rights activist of the 1960s who aligned himself with Martin Luther King, Jr. James Luther Bevel was born in the farming community of Ittabena, Mississippi, on October 19, 1936. Although Bevel initially intended to pursue a recording career, he felt called to Christian ministry. At the time, he was living and working in Leesburg, Virginia, near LaRouche's headquarters. His bond was revoked and he was taken into custody. He suggested a march from Selma to Montgomery, the capital, to protest Jackson's death and press Governor George Wallace to support voting rights for African Americans. When the winds from the East. Memorialize James's life with photos and stories about him and the Bevel family history and genealogy. James L. Bevel, an adviser to the Rev. Bevel was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on 19 October 1936. They were severely penalized for missing work and were trying to support their families. Hoping for him 'to repent'Bevel's daughter, Aaralyn Mills, testified about the conflicting feelings she has had as she pursued the case against her father, a man that she said she still loves and respects in many aspects. We all sought to press charges in different environments and Virginia was the only one that was able to. Anyone can read what you share. He became a true witness to both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ. James L. Bevel, 71 . After serving seven months, he was freed awaiting an appeal; he died of pancreatic cancer in December 2008 and was buried in Eutaw, Alabama. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. And in order to make the case in the absence of physical evidence which is long since disappeared because you had grown up and moved away from being the zone of harm is that you confronted your father in a recorded monitored conversation with law enforcement where you confronted him about his behavior. And we just - it just didn't worked because he reverts back to his role as the leader or the person who has to teach and help everybody to understand his perspective. As a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and then as its Director of Direct Action and Nonviolent Education, Bevel initiated, strategized, and developed SCLC's three major successes of the era:[2][3] the 1963 Birmingham Children's Crusade,[4] the 1965 Selma voting rights movement, and the 1966 Chicago open housing movement. MARTIN: How did you become aware that this was wrong? He reminded SCLC's executive board and staff that evening that King had left "marching orders" that, if anything should happen to him, he intended for Abernathy to take his place as SCLC's Chairman. Bevel had hoped for probation so he could enter hospice care. The city officials could not pretend that the Civil Rights Movement isn't a big deal (Gilmore). What was the location of death? James Luther Bevel (October 19, 1936 December 19, 2008) was a minister and leader of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in the United States. According to a 2003 interview,[24] Bevel's favorite color was black, his favorite food was avocado, and his favorite time of year was spring. [39] Bevel's attorney appealed the denial of the abatement motion to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Bevel fought to desegregate downtown Birmingham stores, prompting police to respond with fire hoses and attack dogs against peaceful protesters. Cypress Hall D, 466 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94305-4146 He subsequently joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), serving as project director and becoming one of the most influential advisers to the SCLCs head, Martin Luther King, Jr. On Bevels recommendation, hundreds of youth were mobilized in 1963 in the childrens crusade to participate in peaceful antisegregation protests in downtown Birmingham, Ala. [26][27] A year earlier, Bevel had denounced the deprogramming of a Moon follower and called for the protection of religious rights. Bevel spent weeks developing strategy, recruiting and educating students in the philosophy and techniques of nonviolence. [38], Bevel's attorney requested that the Court of Appeals of Virginia abate the conviction on account of Bevel's death. Even before the final march occurred, President Lyndon Johnson had gone on national television to address a joint session of Congress, appealing for passage of his administration-backed comprehensive Voting Rights Act. Prosecutors said the assault occurred in Loudoun County, when Bevel was working closely with the Virginia-based organization led by LaRouche. Arrested dozens of times for their civil rights work in Mississippi and Alabama in the early 1960s, Nash and her husband, James Bevel, received the SCLC's Rosa . Bevel went on to become national director of the Spring Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam in 1967 and, the following year, joined King in the effort to win the Memphis sanitation workers strike. How much you describe it? She later, she asked me to recount a tale - some other woman who in new environment, what happened. Related Videos Bloody Sunday(TV-14; 4:10) Civil Rights Foot Soldiers(TV-14; 4:10) March from Selma to Montgomery(TV-14; 4:13) He passed away on 19 December 2008 from pancreatic cancer. Particularly by somebody who portrays himself as a freedom fighter, as a person who's fighting for human dignity. The news coverage, which featured children being water-hosed by police and more than 600 youth being arrested, prompted a groundswell of support for the civil rights movement. James Bevel discusses his family's ethnic origins, James Bevel shares his family's philosophy on ancestry and ethnicity, James Bevel talks about his parents' backgrounds, James Bevel explains his father's influence and enlightenment, James Bevel discusses black land ownership, James Bevel remembers his childhood community of Itta Bena, Mississippi, James Bevel remembers the social climate of his childhood community, James Bevel describes his father's notoriety in Itta Bena, Mississippi, James Bevel talks about childhood activities and his siblings, James Bevel discusses his father's involvement with Mississippi Valley State University, James Bevel explains his move to Cleveland, Ohio, James Bevel talks about attending school in Cleveland, Ohio, James Bevel recalls entering the U.S. Navy and experiences there, James Bevel talks about his reasons for leaving the U.S. Navy, James Bevel talks about voluntarily leaving the U.S. Navy, James Bevel discusses being called into the ministry, James Bevel recalls lessons learned at the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee, James Bevel explains his evangelical belief system, James Bevel reflects on the open theater movement, James Bevel discusses the organization and planning of the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville, Tennessee, James Bevel talks about his strategies for activism, James Bevel discusses strategies for sit-ins in Nashville, Tennessee, James Bevel recalls the outcome of civil rights activism in Nashville, Tennessee, James Bevel comments on the reactions of university faculty to civil rights activism in Nashville, Tennessee, James Bevel talks about the major players and disciplines of the Nashville Civil Rights Movement, James Bevel reflects on the personality and influence of Ella Baker, James Bevel talks about SNCC's early actions, James Bevel explains his and SNCC's positive reaction to President John F. Kennedy, James Bevel explains strategies for voter registration in Nashville and the outcome of the effort, James Bevel remembers his involvement with the Freedom Rides, James Bevel explains how serving jail time helped the cause of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, James Bevel discusses plans for ending segregation in Jackson, Mississippi, James Bevel discusses his involvement in civil rights activism in Mississippi, James Bevel explains the reasoning for launching COFO in Mississippi, James Bevel talks about the goals of COFO, James Bevel remembers incidents surrounding the Medgar Evers murder, James Bevel details the Birmingham, Alabama Civil Rights Movement, James Bevel talks about bringing the Civil Rights Movement into the national political arena, James Bevel explains his focus as a nonviolent activist, Occupation(s): [6] Hearing of this plan, and in response to the city's violent treatment of the students, the Kennedy administration asked SCLC's leaders what they wanted in a comprehensive civil rights bill. This button displays the currently selected search type. During his trial, testimony indicated that Bevel considered it parents' duty to "sexually orient" their children. on the Alabama project (Bevel, 13 April 1964). Who's watching their backs? James Drury -- the star of the Western series, "The Virginian" -- has died. BEVEL, amongst cabinet-makers and joiners, is an in strument used to take any angle with, or by which to mark a line which is not square. He often wore overalls over a shirt and tie; he shaved his head and sometimes covered it with a yarmulke in honor of Old Testament prophets. It must have been even more painful to tell. The Court of Appeals affirmed this judgment. They worked together on civil rights, and had a daughter and son together. [30] The commission was associated with conspiracy theorist Lyndon LaRouche, and sought to persuade the state legislature to reopen its two-year investigation into the Franklin child prostitution ring allegations. Naval Reserve in 1954 and 1955 before entering the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. And when she told me that everything I told her about what's happening as I was telling her that really hurt me. James D Bevel James Bevel . Bevel died Friday in Virginia after . Where did James Bevel die? I am equally as devastated and disgusted by his pedophilia," Orrin said. How did she react? Corrections? Brother of Jesus Christ. MARTIN: Your story was very painful to read. James Luther Bevel (October 19, 1936 - December 19, 2008) was a minister and leader of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in the United States. 2023 The HistoryMakers. [6] Bevel went to the children and asked them to prepare to take to the highways for a march on Washington, with the goal of questioning the President about his plans to end legal segregation in America. She shares her story, reflections about her father, and her experience as an abuse survivor. Historian Taylor Branch quotes King in At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 19651968 (2006) as saying that "Andrew Young had given in to doubt, Bevel to brains, and Jackson to ambition", and said that the movement had made them and now they were using the movement to promote themselves. Eventually, the Freedom Riders reached their goal of New Orleans, Louisiana, generating nationwide coverage of the violence to maintain Jim Crow and white supremacy in the South.[16]. After a stint in the services, Bevel was called to the ministry and enrolled in the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. In March 1965, Mr. Bevel, a fiery orator, spoke at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma, Ala., the starting point of a symbolic march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where demonstrators had been beaten two days earlier a day remembered as Bloody Sunday in a first attempt to march to Montgomery to protest discriminatory voting practices. James Forman (October 4, 1928 - January 10, 2005) was a prominent African-American leader in the civil rights movement.He was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panther Party, and the League of Revolutionary Black Workers.As the executive secretary of SNCC from 1961 to 1966, Forman played a significant role in the Freedom Rides, the Albany movement, the . Bevel proposed organizing the Alabama Voting Rights Project, and co-wrote the project proposal with his wife Diane Nash. [31], In 1992, Bevel ran on LaRouche's ticket as the vice presidential candidate. James Luther Bevel, one of 17 children, was born on Oct 19, 1936, in Itta Bena, in central Mississippi, and divided his childhood between there and Cleveland, where he worked in the steel mills as a teenager. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. James Bevel, Self: 4 Little Girls. I think he's more like a spoiled child in which he has been doing and being the way he is for so long that he gets away with it. MARTIN: You wrote her a letter telling her what happen. In 1963, as the Alabama project director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization led by Dr. King, Mr. Bevel persuaded Dr. King to allow children to participate in antisegregation demonstrations, in which they would almost surely face arrest. He's been violent, mean and abusive, but he's always been honest.". Because the executor of Bevel's estate had not sought to prosecute the appeal, the Court affirmed the dismissal of his appeal as moot. Following the nationwide publicity generated by Jackson's death and the previous attack on peaceful marchers, hundreds of religious, labor and civic leaders, many celebrities, and activists and citizens of many ethnicities traveled to Selma to join the march. And actually during the trial he came out of the court room and he had met my daughter. And you describe this - I don't know what words to use, it's almost like a trial at - so you decided you should put him on trial, and then he defended himself in this, I don't even really know how to describe it. James Bevel was a leader of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . Her husband, James Bevel, was a civil rights activist, too. These quality collectors pieces are designed for visual appeal. How should we think about those two James Bevels? Bevel left SCLC after Kings death and became involved in the Republican Party and the 1995 Million Man March. Bevel feared that activists who were not committed to nonviolence were conductingdemonstration[s] for the sake of demonstrating,and that these tactics resulted inrioting and deaths.He advised,In order to off-set these trends, the non-violent must project and execute a program that will [allow] more Negroes to become convinced of the effectiveness of non-violence and the principles of it.Bevel further implored King to putthe whole non-violent staffon the Alabama project (Bevel, 13 April 1964). James L. Bevel is shown in a photoprovided by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Judge Frank Johnson approved a public march. Bevel was forced from his position in the SCLC after exhibiting erratic behaviour. He was a Black Civil rights activist and minister. He renamed the organization the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, recruited members of many diverse groups, and organized the April 15, 1967 march from Central Park to the United Nations Building in New York City. "It's fading, but I still have a strong feeling that my father was doing something, that he was working on some truth," said Mills, who agreed to be identified publicly. The Institute cannot give permission to use or reproduce any of the writings, statements, or images of Martin Luther King, Jr. And that you know they're my children, because my son knows his grandfather and he knows Martin Luther King and you know very respectful of him. While in the Jackson jail, Bevel and Bernard Lafayette initiated the Mississippi Voting Rights Movement. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [19] He worked to create tenant unions and build grassroots action to "end" slums. Find out about civil rights leader James Bevel: Age, What he did before fame, his family life Fun facts: before fame, family life, popularity rankings, and more Translate Where the caravan camels roam. American comedian and civil rights activist. And then, so what are the options for children? At trial, Bevel denied committing the sexual act and his recorded statement was used against him. And the suns from the West. But first, we go behind Closed Doors, that's our weekly segment when we talk about painful issues. By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. Answer to: How did James Bevel die? The Rev. James L. Bevel, The Freedom Rides, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 14:24. Charismatic and eloquently quick-witted in a vernacular style, Mr. Bevel was known as a man of passion and peculiarity. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1984, served as Lyndon LaRouches running mate in the 1992 U.S. presidential election, and helped organize the Million Man March in 1995. MARTIN: Aaralyn Mills tells her powerful story of rape and recovery in the pages of the Washington Post Magazine. Nonetheless, Dr. King relied on his counsel. At the time, Bevel was living in Leesburg, Virginia, and working with LaRouche's group, whose international headquarters was a few blocks from Bevel's apartment. For this purpose the blade is made to move in a long groove, made in the stock or handle, and fixed to it by a nut and screw, so that it will alter to suit any degree of obliquity required; and thus it . He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In the 1960s, Bevel was a leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, two of the stalwart organizations that led efforts to desegregate the South. Where the caravan camels roam. She would be arrested many times including spending 30 days in jail in South . [24], In the 1980s, Bevel supported Ronald Reagan as president. Sherrilynn Bevel, a daughter, said he died of pancreatic cancer Dec. 19 at her home in Springfield, Va. She said Bevel, who was freed on bond because of ill health, had been there since Nov. 8. They also revealed that at least four other daughters Bevel had with various women have made similar allegations against him. Please c, ontact Intellectual Properties Management (IPM), the exclusive licensor of the Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. at. "He confronted Bevel, who had been a mentor to Jackson and Young, as 'a genius who flummoxed his own heart'. *James Bevel was born on this date in 1936. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1959 and went on to pastor the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. Born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, James Luther Bevel grew up partly in Cleveland, Ohio. MARTIN: Your father's name is one that appears in many, many history books. I've never known him to be a liar. John Lewis, another King confidant who has been a Georgia congressman for more than 20 years, recalled in a memoir that at Spelman College in Atlanta, Mr. Bevel once declared himself a prophet and made his student disciples drink urine to signal their loyalty. Ms. MILLS: Right, because I always wrote letters. Springfield, Virginia, USA. No one wants the government in their home.