However, his enrollment was opposed by proponents of racial segregation, with this opposition escalating into the Ole Miss riot of 1962, which led to two deaths and numerous injuries.

[4] Approximately 1,500 people attended the ceremony,[3] which featured a keynote speech from U.S. Representative John Lewis, who said, "With the unveiling of this monument, we free ourselves from the chains of a difficult past.

"[4] Other speakers at the event included U.S. Representative Roger Wicker, Chancellor Robert Khayat, actor Morgan Freeman, and James's son Joseph Meredith.

Austin Reed Edenfield pled guilty and was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to complete 50 hours of uncompensated community service.

[11][12] The life-size bronze statue depicts Meredith walking towards a 17-foot (5.2 m) tall limestone portal, which has the words "courage", "knowledge", "opportunity", and "perseverance" inscribed around the top.

As a major figure in / the American civil rights / movement, he helped lead the / way to justice and equality / for all citizens.The statue is approximately 100 yards (91 m) from the Confederate Monument on the university's campus,[4] between the Lyceum Building and the J. D. Williams Library.