- Mississippi Free Press

The outside steps of the capitol building

MFP Voices

Interfaith Leaders Holding Prayer Vigil in Capitol Rotunda on House Bill 1020

“Because Mississippi’s future prosperity depends on the success of Jackson, we encourage state leaders to put aside racial, class and partisan bias, seek solutions emerging from all Jacksonians—especially the most vulnerable citizens—while putting your respective faith traditions and moral principles into action,” interfaith leaders write.

Working Together Mississippi and Working Together Jackson March 23, 2023

MFP Voices

Benign Neglect: There’s Obvious Racism Within the Mississippi Legislature

Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin writes that Jacksonians and lawmakers should just name the racist tendencies within the Mississippi Legislature thatHouse Bill 1020 reveals. “We know that you don’t like that Black people are running the capital city (at least not the kind of Black people you prefer), and we know you’re dead set on changing that by whatever means, legislative or otherwise, you can,” he writes.

Brad Franklin March 1, 2023

Several people stand in front of the Mississippi Capitol Building holding signs such as "Protect Trans Youth" and "No to HB 1125"

MFP Voices

Trans Care Bans, Voting Rights Case Dismissed, Capitol Takeover Evolves

“The Mississippi Legislature creates laws without input from any experts,” News Editor Ashton Pittman writes. “That held true last week, when, as Kayode Crown reported, lawmakers passed a ban on care for transgender minors without input from one transgender Mississippian or any medical professionals with expertise on the topic.”

Ashton Pittman February 27, 2023

Boys dressed in white and girls in blue and red stand in front of the equestrian statue of General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond to create a human Confederate battle flag in 1907. (HB 1020)

MFP Voices

‘Then They Came For Me’: HB 1020 Is A Racial Assault

I believe this ‘expansion’ is a racial assault, but if you are in the metro area, it will affect you, too, regardless of your race,” Jennifer Riley Collins writes.

Jennifer Riley Collins February 7, 2023