Freedom Song

A high school student who grows up in Quinlan and becomes increasingly restless in the face of injustice. He is inspired by the civil rights movement and joins SNCC efforts to register voters and challenge segregation. The diner incident from his childhood haunts his relationship with his father and fuels his determination to seek lasting change.

A WWII veteran and former civil rights organizer who worked to register Black voters and to challenge the town’s racist power structure. His activism costs him his business and brings violence into the home, yet he remains committed to the dream of equality and to guiding his son toward justice.

Will’s wife and a strong maternal figure in Quinlan. She balances fear for her family with resilience and support for the movement, providing emotional grounding as the community faces danger and uncertainty.

A SNCC organizer who travels from Chicago to Quinlan to assist with voter registration. He brings trained organizing experience and a strategic approach, helping local youth coordinate sit-ins and registration drives while managing the risks posed by white supremacist backlash.

A fellow youth organizer who works with Owen and Charlie on voter registration. He endures arrests and the strain of a harsh, hostile environment, demonstrating commitment to the cause and solidarity with his peers.

A young organizer and friend of Owen who joins the movement, participates in sit-ins, and faces arrest as part of the community’s push for desegregation. His participation highlights the intergenerational nature of the struggle.

An elder, respected Black man in Quinlan who becomes a symbolic target amid escalating tensions. His death during a confrontation underscores the peril facing the movement and galvanizes the community to persevere for change.