When James Meredith attempted to attend the University of Mississippi as that institution's first African-American student, President Kennedy _______________________.

A) stood by while Governor Barnett ordered the university closed
B) urged Meredith to attend a northern university instead
C) prevented riots by quietly negotiating with the governor of Mississippi and university officials
D) ordered federal marshals to protect him

President Kennedy ordered federal marshals to protect James Meredith when he attempted to attend the University of Mississippi in 1962. This followed a violent standoff between federal forces and the state of Mississippi, during which Governor Barnett initially refused to allow Meredith to enroll and called out the state National Guard to prevent federal intervention. The situation ultimately ended with Meredith being escorted onto campus by federal marshals, and despite ongoing protests and violence, he successfully completed his studies at the university.