On June 5, 1966, James Meredith began the "March Against Fear," a three-week march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, designed to promote black voter registration and defy segregation. On June 18, some 100 marchers passed through Itta Bena on Highway 7 en route to Belzoni. Despite confrontations with members of the KKK and intimidation by law enforcement, the "March Against Fear," which had grown to include thousands of marchers, concluded with a rally at the state capitol in Jackson on June 26.