The court ruled that separate but equal facilities were unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for desegregation.
May 17, 1954: Supreme Court makes landmark decision in Brown vs. Board of Education
July 11, 1954: Robert Patterson forms first Citizen’s Council with 14 members
Citizen's Council Sign
Patterson was a cotton and cattle farmer from Sunflower County. Citizens Councils were organized in communities around the state to resist integration.