Eddie Brown Jr., Civil and Human Rights Advocate Dies at Age 70

Known to his close friends and family as a renaissance man, Mr. Brown dedicated his life to helping others and advocating civil and human rights. Eddie began working in the area of civil and human rights in the 1960s when he was expelled from Southern University in Louisiana for participating in a sit-in protesting racial segregation. After being expelled Mr. Brown moved to Washington D.C. where he enrolled in Howard University and became a leader and organizer in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Although Eddie Brown was devoted to the civil rights struggle and spent considerable time eradicating injustices, his work often went unnoticed. According to his friends and family he worked to serve others and to make a difference.

In addition to his activism on behalf of others, Eddie Brown dedicated years defending and advocating for his younger brother, Jamil Al-Amin, formerly known as H. Rap Brown, who is currently serving a life sentence for killing a Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2000.

Eddie Brown, Jr., was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and died from complications on 23 November 2011 at his home at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, Valinda Johnson Brown, his three sons Michael Joshnson, Kevin George and Keith George; his two sisters, Pat and Cheryl; two brothers, Lance and Jamil; and six grandchildren. Mr. Brown will be remembered for his selfless dedication to human rights and the pursuit of justice.