On May 8, 1970, escalating tensions at Jackson State University in Mississippi culminated in student protests against racial injustice and the Vietnam War. Two days later, police opened fire on students, killing two and injuring twelve others. While overshadowed by the Kent State shootings, the Jackson State tragedy highlighted the deadly risks Black students faced while exercising their First Amendment rights. The event underscored the volatile racial climate of the 1970s and the urgent need for systemic reform.
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