V. R. Collier, the president of the NAACP branch in Gulfport, was “physically assaulted.” When he turned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for help, the agent told him that the bureau didn’t protect; it investigated. When he called the U.S. attorney in Jackson, Collier was directed to seek help from the FBI. The realization was wrenching: “We Negroes are without any protection at all,” he said.
