Six-year-old boy handcuffed in school just months after police chief fired for racist rant

LEXINGTON, Mississippi – JULIAN, a civil rights and human rights legal advocacy organization, is hosting a rally in Lexington on Saturday to mobilize voters ahead of the Nov. 8 election. The rally, held from 3-6 p.m. at the community park, 302 Henry Street in Lexington, is designed to inspire people to vote in Tuesday’s election. It will include food, prizes and games for children. Speakers include Congressman Bennie Thompson. JULIAN also is offering free transportation to the polls on Tuesday.

The rally follows JULIAN’s support of Lexington residents who report historical Civil Rights violations by local officials. In July, a recording of then-police Chief Sam Dobbins, who is White, making racist and homophobic remarks and bragging of killing people in the line of duty was made public. The chief was fired by a 3-2 vote. However, residents in this mostly Black community say there are systemic racist practices and continued intimidation, creating fear among residents of color.