Statement by Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr. in Support of the Till National Park Campaign
August 16, 2021
Dear friends,
I am writing to ask you to support the creation of an Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley
National Historic Park, which would be managed by the U.S. National Park Service. We need
your help to urge our elected representatives that the time to create a National Park
commemorating Emmett and Mamie is now. I hope you will join me in this important cause
by contacting your congressional representatives at the numbers listed below and asking them
to support legislation creating an Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Historic Park.
A National Park would honor and tell the story of my cousin, Emmett Till. Emmett was just
14 years old when he was kidnapped and lynched in 1955. And in the face of this terrible hate
crime, Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open casket funeral for her son,
“to let the world see what I’ve seen.” Mamie’s courage forced the world to confront the horror
of racism and helped spark the Civil Rights Movement. Creating a National Park will preserve
Emmett’s and Mamie’s memory, it will tell the story of countless others who have stood up to
injustice, and it will inspire visitors to continue the struggle for racial justice today.
We believe that this National Park is a precious opportunity to advance the cause of racial
justice, but it won’t happen without your support. Emmett’s and Mamie’s story must always be
remembered, but more importantly, it has the power to change our country for the better. Making
this National Park a reality will not only preserve this vital American story and other important
Civil Rights stories across the Delta.
You can join our movement by signing our petition at www.tillnationalpark.org/petition. Most
importantly, our leaders need to hear from you: please consider contacting your congressional
representatives today at the numbers listed below and ask them to support legislation creating
the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Historic Park.
I hope you will make your voice heard today. Thank you very much for your support.
Sincerely,
Rev. Wheeler Parker