Rev. Marguerite Morris, Mother of Woman Found Deceased Near Arundel Mills Mall and Social Justice Advocate, Opposes Honor for Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney

Rev. Marguerite Morris, a social justice advocate whose daughter Katherine “Kathy” Morris was found deceased near Arundel Mills Mall in 2012, is publicly opposing the selection of Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess as one of this year’s Fannie Lou Hamer Award recipients and says the recognition should be rescinded.

Rev. Morris, who is herself a previous recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Award, is also planning to stage a protest over Ms. Leitess’ selection.

“As a previous recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Award, I understand the significance of an honor that carries Mrs. Hamer’s name,” Rev. Morris stated. “This is not simply another community recognition. Her name represents courage, sacrifice, justice, accountability and an unwavering commitment to confronting systems that failed Black Americans.”

Rev. Morris said those principles are at the center of her opposition to Ms. Leitess’ selection.

“That is why I strongly oppose the decision to recognize Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess as one of this year’s recipients, and I believe that recognition should be rescinded,” Rev. Morris stated.

Ms. Leitess is one of 20 women selected from across Anne Arundel County to receive the award during a reception Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis.

Related: 20 Anne Arundel County Women to Be Honored at Fannie Lou Hamer Awards Reception Oct. 4

Rev. Morris emphasized that her objection is directed specifically at Ms. Leitess and not at the other women being recognized. Rev Morris stated her intention is not to discourage anyone from attending the event

“My objection is specific to the selection of Ms. Leitess,” Rev. Morris stated. “It is not directed toward the other women being honored, nor is it intended to diminish their accomplishments, the recognition they are receiving, or the significance of the event itself.”

Rev. Morris said her position is informed in part by her family’s experience following the death of her daughter.

Related: Family of Woman Found Deceased Near Arundel Mills Mall to Hold Press Conference Outside Maryland Attorney General’s Office Over Enforcement of State Law

Related: Commentary: Katherine Morris Deserves Justice, Not Loopholes By- Rev. Marguerite Morris

Katherine Sarah Morris, then a 22 year old University of Maryland student, was found deceased in a parking lot near Arundel Mills Mall on May 6, 2012. For more than a decade, her family has sought transparency, accountability and answers surrounding the investigation into her death.

“My concerns are informed, in part, by my family’s experience following the death of my daughter, Katherine ‘Kathy’ Morris,” Rev. Morris stated. “For more than a decade, our family has sought transparency, accountability and answers surrounding the investigation into Kathy’s death. That experience makes it impossible for me to separate questions of accountability from an award bearing Fannie Lou Hamer’s name.”

Rev. Morris said an award carrying Hamer’s name should reflect what she views as the principles associated with the civil and voting rights leader’s legacy.

“Mrs. Hamer did not become a symbol of justice because she remained comfortable or silent,” Rev. Morris stated. “She challenged institutions. She demanded accountability. She spoke when speaking carried consequences.”

“An award bearing her name should reflect those principles.”

Rev. Morris also said organizations responsible for presenting honors bearing the names of Black American freedom fighters have a responsibility to protect the meaning associated with those names.

“Organizations entrusted with honoring individuals in the name of our Black American freedom fighters also inherit a responsibility to safeguard the meaning of those names,” Rev. Morris stated. “The standards attached to an award bearing her name matter.”

Rev. Morris said her own history as a recipient of the award is part of why she decided to speak publicly.

“I have personally received this award, and I continue to regard that recognition with respect,” she stated. “It is precisely because I respect what the award is supposed to represent that I am speaking now.”

Rev. Morris is asking both the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee and the Caucus of African American Leaders not simply to reconsider Ms. Leitess’ selection, but to rescind the recognition.

“I am asking the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee and the Caucus of African American Leaders to reconsider this decision and rescind the recognition of Ms. Leitess,” Rev. Morris stated.

“Fannie Lou Hamer fought for justice. She demanded accountability. She refused to be silent. Neither will I.”

Report Annapolis News reached out to Carl Snowden, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, regarding Rev. Morris’ concerns and planned protest. Mr. Snowden said he had no comment.

Report Annapolis News also requested a statement from the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the criticism surrounding Ms. Leitess’ selection. A response had not been received as of publication.

Separately, the Capitol Accountability Project (CAP), an advocacy group led by Ahsun Powell, has announced that it is supporting the opposition to Ms. Leitess’ selection and joining what it described as a “collective action.”

“CAP is joining a collective action opposing the decision to honor Anne Colt Leitess with the Fannie Lou Hamer Award and calling for accountability from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee and the Caucus of African American Leaders regarding this honor,” the organization stated in an action alert.

In its separate statement, CAP described Hamer as “a warrior for justice, dignity, and the political power of Black Americans” and said organizations using the names of Black American freedom fighters have a responsibility to protect the meaning of those names and the principles for which they fought.

“We will not be silent when the name of one of our greatest Black American freedom fighters is used in a manner we believe contradicts the principles for which she fought,” CAP stated.

The organization concluded its statement by saying, “Fannie Lou Hamer fought. Fannie Lou Hamer sacrificed. Fannie Lou Hamer refused to be silent and neither will we.”

Ms. Leitess is one of 20 women scheduled to be recognized during the Oct. 4 reception. 

Editorial Note: Rev. Morris has requested that Report Annapolis News clarify that her opposition and planned protest concern Ms. Leitess’ selection specifically and are not directed toward the other recipients, the event itself, or discouraging anyone from attending.