Long before he was worrying himself about making calls for justice, James E. Prince III had a dream that one day Philadelphia, MS would have its own civil rights tourism industry. In 2002, he ran a story in his newspaper, "Historic tour on civil rights said big draw."
A civil rights tour is "a gold mine waiting to happen," said Terry Watkins, sales manager for the Silver Star Hotel and Casino. "Every time I have a tour group to come to the casino, they want to know about what we have on the civil rights movement. Where is the church? "If we could find the car...someone would know about the car..."
"Visitors would pay 'top dollar' to go on a tour of the major sites because with many of them, money is not an object. These people are professional people with a high dollar income. They want to spend their vacation money here...they want something to see...It is a cultural experience for them," Watkins said.
"If the public would only realize how important this issue is to tourism. A tour like this would not only bring high revenue dollars into this area but would promote the Philadelphia, Neshoba County and the Choctaw Resort. The tourist would eat it up," said Watkins.
Wilson agreed. "It's your history whether you like it or not...accept it and embrace it...turn something negative into something positive and move forward."
In 2002, the biggest problem, according to the Neshoba Democrat, was not the moral burden of white, racist murderers living free in the local community.
The other issue of concern is the local beer ordinance that plagues area tourism. The group felt this issue was a hindrance because of the loss of money in turning away tour groups.
They got Killen. I guess all they need now is some beer.
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