MARTIN: Aaralyn Mills tells her powerful story of rape and recovery in the pages of the Washington Post Magazine. And he used his historical background in the civil rights as an example of see what I did so far, I'm still doing that. Bevel was later instrumental in organizing the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., an event that was credited with helping to usher in the Voting Rights Act (1965). [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. 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. [26][27] A year earlier, Bevel had denounced the deprogramming of a Moon follower and called for the protection of religious rights. 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. [13] Virginia had no statute of limitations for the offense of incest. He earned extensive . Bevel also attended workshops at the Highlander Folk School taught by its founder, Myles Horton, who emphasized grassroots organizing. Yet when he died, disgraced after a conviction for incest in 2008 (the incident occurred in 1993, and Bevel said he was innocent), he was almost as unknown as he was in the 1960s. 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 . We know that James E Bevel had been residing in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana 46012. I have to say, I think that it is powerfully courageous thing to do. I don't want to live that anymore. Don't think I thought about James Bevel until he died in 2008 at age 72. In 1961, Nash was arrested for "contributing to the delinquency of minors," because she led young people in the fight against segregation. In 1962, Bevel was invited to meet in Atlanta with Martin Luther King Jr, a minister who was head of the SCLC. 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. The Rev. They buried him on the spot by the temple and his gravestone is still there by the temple (in c. 160). Copyright 2008 NPR. How much you describe it? He had stints in the Navy and graduated in 1961 from Nashville's American Baptist Theological Seminary. Besides being a leader in the Children's Crusade in which police turned fire hoses and dogs on child protesters, Bevel was also an organizer at other civil rights movement events, including the 1965 march at Selma, Ala. On December 19, 2008, at the age of 72, he died of pancreatic cancer in Springfield, Virginia. He was 58 years old and the first monarch to unite the crowns of Scotland and England. Where it's flat and immense. Ms. MILLS: It was actually, as in the article, I was actually watching a Oprah show and it was - the difference in this, was there was a little girl. [13] In 1986, Bevel, Chicago alderman Danny K. Davis, singer-songwriter Kristin Lems, and others participated in a project of creating a summit in Chicago for Gorbachev and Reagan to bring peace and resolution to the ongoing Cold War. You know, so it was just - it was like, why? How do we look at this country with these two dynamics? In subsequent years Bevel continued his political activism. Ms. MILLS: Well, in that it was going to be in the news, the story the side of the - my side should be told. But prosecutors said his illness should not temper his sentence. And yes, she dismissed it in that regard. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. While a seminarian, he participated in two forms of nonviolent protest against institutionalized racial segregation: sit-ins by African American youths at department-store lunch counters in 1960 and the Freedom Rides on bus lines throughout the South in 1961. James found out he had a gallbladder infection and needed emergency surgery. This was financially backed by the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon, which appeared to be trying to improve its controversial image by allying with such respected leaders. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They agreed to work until they had ended segregation, obtained voting rights, and ensured that all American children had a quality education. In 2005, Bevel was accused of incest by one of his daughters and abuse by three others. How did she react? 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. James was 72 years old at the time of death. Omissions? And being there for two years, I was saturated in the environment where family values and just you know, I grew up where there was a lot of talked about love and peace, and happiness, and family values. MARTIN: You confronted your father at one point. 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. The assault occurred in the early 1990s in Loudoun County, when Bevel was working closely with the Virginia-based organization led by political extremist Lyndon LaRouche. He also worked on a cotton plantation and in a steel mill. After the news media highlighted police commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor's violent treatment of the children, public opinion began to shift in favor of the civil rights movement. 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. By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. "Both of those feelings reside in the same soul, in the same space of my heart.". He was educated at segregated local schools in both Mississippi and Cleveland. Do you have any idea where you were able to find that within yourself to do this? Bevel proposed organizing the Alabama Voting Rights Project, and co-wrote the project proposal with his wife Diane Nash. James L. Bevel dies at 72; civil rights activist and top lieutenant to King", "Bevel v. Commonwealth (Va.Ct.App., 14 Sept. 2010)", "Bevel v. Commonwealth (Va.S.Ct., 4 Nov. 2011)", "Years After Change, Activist Lives Her Conviction", "Common Is James Bevel, Andre Holland Is Andrew Young In Ava DuVernay's Mlk Tale 'Selma', (see request for download at bottom of page). The U.S. Department of Justice had to step in and help end the protest on May 10. I don't understand how parents violate their children in any way, realizing their children will grow up, and they're not going to forget. This piece comes framed in a beautifully sculpted black lacquered frame. Ms. MILLS: Well, I don't understand it. [5] He suggested that SCLC call for and join a March on Washington in 1963. Another daughter, Sherilynn Bevel, confirmed the death, The Washington Post reported. Tina Howard Bevel Expand search. "[33] When Bevel introduced LaRouche at a convention of the 1996 National African American Leadership Summit, both men were booed off the stage. James Bevel, Self: 4 Little Girls. This beautifully matted collector's photo presentation is a collage. 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. Almost 30 years on from his death, the story of James Bulger's murder is as shocking as ever.. In the end, Nash served just 10 days in jail, sparing her from the . He was one of the seventeen children of Illie and Dennis Bevel. [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. [19] He worked to create tenant unions and build grassroots action to "end" slums. James Bevel and James Orange spent April 4, 1968 at Clayburn Temple Church organizing young people. He's been violent, mean and abusive, but he's always been honest.". What was the location of death? Did you always sense that it was wrong? I mean my little sister was 14 at that time, but what if you know - what can you really do? 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. And unfortunately not all of us are able to see the abuse even things that are obvious. And my grandmother was also there, and I didn't want my grandmother to know. That didn't happen. How did James Bevel die? 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. 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): 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. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. 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. But in April, a jury convicted Bevel of incest for having sex more than a decade ago with a then-teenage daughter. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. James Bevel: Well, it had a reputation equal to the Mississippi Birmingham had a reputation equal to the Mississippi Delta in terms of its brutalization of people. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The 15-year sentence imposed by Circuit Judge Burke McCahill was the most severe allowed. Bevel died Friday in Virginia after . MARTIN: How do you understand this as this kind of culture of acceptance of abuse of children? James Bevel, 1936-2008. Although Bevel initially intended to pursue a recording career, he felt called to Christian ministry. He was 72. [13] While at seminary, Bevel reread Leo Tolstoy's 1894 book The Kingdom of God Is Within You, which had previously inspired his decision to leave the military. I wrote her I love you letters, and you know, this was my day letters. "We know that the defendant is dying," said Prosecutor Gigi Lawless. In the melee, Jackson was shot in the stomach while defending his mother from an attack. Where did James Bevel die? It was under his leadership that the organization undertook most of their iconic campaigns including the Birmingham Children's Crusade in 1963, Selma voting rights movement in 1965, and the Chicago open housing . How did James bevel die? The accuser was one of his daughters, who was 1315 years old at the time and lived with him. And I remember in school they talked about good touches and bad touches, but the difference was, I didn't trust the people in school. I'm Michel Martin, and this is tell me more from NPR News. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose influence spurred a pivotal event of the civil rights movement, the childrens 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. [17] Activists encountered severe violence at that time and retreated to regroup. Bevel was at King's side during many of the major campaigns of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and was at the Lorraine Motel at the time of King's . When the winds from the East. We have great country we live in that had slavery. James Bevel Birthday and Date of Death. [23] Bevel continued to oppose the Poor People's Campaign, but served as its Director of Nonviolent Education. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. James L. Bevel, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement whose legacy was clouded by an incest conviction has died, a relative said. Bevel then called off plans for the children's march. 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]. What a strange character James is! "I had really bad . This button displays the currently selected search type. Brother of Jesus Christ. 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.