Leasondra May-Clayton cannot visit her ancestors’ historic graves because they are buried on private property that her family does not own. The landowner has denied access to the burial site unless she pays him $2.2 million. The State of Mississippi does not have a law granting access to cemeteries on private property. As a result, May-Clayton cannot restore the Landon Road Cemetery to the respectful resting place it once was.
May-Clayton and thousands more Mississippians need your help. House Bill 309 was introduced to the 2024 Legislature in an effort to grant access to cemeteries located on private property while protecting the owner from civil suit. Please help this bill pass by sharing this information and contacting a Mississippi State Legislator to urge them to vote “YES” on HB 309. You may also support the effort by signing a petition at Change.org, https://chng.it/GGLFbmsnBR
Composite photo courtesy of Black Cemetery Network.