Sept. 25, 1962 - Gov. Ross R. Barnett of Mississippi was cited for contempt of court tonight, less than five hours after he barred James H. Meredith, a Negro, from registering as a student at the University of Mississippi. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered the Governor to appear before it at 10 a.m. Friday to show cause why he should not be held in civil contempt of court. The Justice Department had charged Mr. Barnett with “deliberately” defying a temporary restraining order issued by the Appeals Court this morning. That order prohibited Gov. Barnett and a host of other Mississippi officials from interfering “by any means” with Mr. Meredith’s attempts to register. The Governor has virtually dared the Federal Government to take action against him by twice turning Mr. Meredith down and by vowing he would go to jail rather than see the university integrated.
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