President Lyndon Johnson, who was struggling to satisfy various factions within the party, reached out to Wilkins. Wilkins (overlooking the MFDP's chairman was his organization's state president) assured Johnson that the NAACP's participation in the challenge was token and a face-saving move within the state. Upon arriving in Atlantic City, the MFDP staged various protests inside and outside the convention hall, the most famous being Hamer's "Is this America?"
President Lyndon Johnson, facing internal party divisions, sought advice from Wilkins. Wilkins (ignoring the MFDP's chairman was his state president) assured Johnson that the NAACP's involvement in the challenge was superficial and a way to maintain appearances within the state. Upon arriving in Atlantic City, the MFDP organized various protests inside and outside the convention hall, with Hamer's "Is this America?" being the most notable.