Council of Federated Organizations

Council of Federated Organizations

Abbreviation	COFO
Formation	1962
Type	Civil rights organization
Headquarters	Mississippi, United States
Region served	Mississippi
Key Figures	Bob Moses, David Dennis, James Farmer, John Lewis

The Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) was a coalition of major civil rights organizations in the United States, formed in 1962 to coordinate and unify efforts to combat racial segregation and disenfranchisement in Mississippi. COFO played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly during the Freedom Summer of 1964.

History

COFO was established as a collaborative effort among several civil rights groups, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The organization aimed to pool resources and strategies to address the severe racial injustices prevalent in Mississippi.

Formation and Objectives

The formation of COFO was driven by the need for a unified front to tackle the systemic racism and voter suppression faced by African Americans in Mississippi. The state was notorious for its discriminatory practices, and COFO sought to challenge these through voter registration drives, education, and direct action.

Key Activities

COFO's most notable initiative was the Mississippi Freedom Summer project in 1964, which aimed to increase voter registration among African Americans and establish Freedom Schools to educate black children and adults. The project brought national attention to the civil rights struggle in Mississippi and highlighted the violent resistance faced by activists.

Impact

COFO's efforts were instrumental in raising awareness about the civil rights issues in Mississippi and contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The organization's work laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and inspired a generation of activists.

Legacy

Although COFO disbanded in 1965, its legacy endures in the continued fight for racial equality and justice. The coalition's collaborative model and grassroots activism remain influential in contemporary social justice movements.

See also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Freedom Summer
• Voting Rights Act of 1965