April 21, 2017

Spies of Mississippi

4 minutes

Spies of Mississippi is a journey into the world of informants, infiltrators, and agent provocateurs in the heart of Dixie. Directed and produced by Dawn Porter and executive produced by LOOKS TV and Martina Haubrich. The film tells the story of a secret spy agency formed by the state of Mississippi to preserve segregation and maintain “the Mississippi way of life,” white supremacy, during the 1950s and ‘60s. The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission (MSSC) evolved from a predominantly public relations agency to a full-fledged spy operation, spying on over 87,000 Americans over the course of a decade.

Featuring:

Margaret Block, Rick Bowers, Kenneth Dean, Ralph Eubanks, Lawrence Guyot, Edwin King, Robert Luckett, Neil McMillen, Jerry Mitchell, Bob Moses, Janet Moses, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Hollis Watkins, Governor William Winter.

Credits:

Host: Anita Johnson

Producers: Monica Lopez, Marie Choi, RJ Lozada, Anita Johnson

Executive Director: Lisa Rudman

Web Editor and Audience Engagement Director: Sabine Blaizin

Development Associate: Vera Tykulsker

For More Information:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/spies-of-mississippi/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/freedomsummer/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh//amex/eyesontheprize/profiles/10_evers.html

AUDIO/Video EXTRAS:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/videos/medgar-eversae-widow-thanks-reporter-who-helped-re-open-case/