DOCUMENT RESUME

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AUTHOR Martz, Carlton, Ed. TITLE Freedom of Assembly: World History, U.S. History, and U.S. Government. INSTITUTION Constitutional Rights Foundation, Los Angeles, Calif. PUB DATE 88 NOTE 9p. PUB TYPE Collected Works - Serials (022) -- Guides - Classroom Use - Materials (For Learner) (051) JOURNAL CIT Bill of Rights in Action; v5 n2 Win 1988

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Citizenship; Citizenship Education; *Civics; Civil Disobedience; *Civil Rights; Class Activities; *Constitutional History; Elementary Secondary Education; *Freedom of Speech; History; Instructional Materials; Resource Units; Slavery; Social Studies; Teaching Guides IDENTIFIERS *Bill of Rights; *Freedom of Assembly; Garrison (William Lloyd); North Carolina (Greensboro); Tyler (Wat)

ABSTRACT This theme issue on the freedom of assembly includes three sections:(1) "World History: Wat Tyler's Rebellion," a glimpse into the English past that provides a valuable perspective for understanding the turbulent origins of the right of U.S. citizens to assemble; (2) "U.S History: William Lloyd Garrison and the Boston Mob," an account of a northern abolitionist's struggle to establish his right to free speech and his subsequent near lynching; and (3) "U.S. Government: The Lunch Counter Sit-Ins," the story of the civil rights protests in Greensboro, North Carolina. Each section includes a historical essay on the topic area, questions for discussion and writing, a short reference lift, and selected activities that mimic the historical events of that section. (PPB)

* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can he made * from the original document. BILL OF RIGHTS IN ACTION

PUBLISHED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION WINTER 1988 / VOL. 5 NUMBER 2

PIFreedom of Assembly World History

WAT TYLER'S REBELLION "Villeins ye are, and villeins ye shall remain." King Richard II (1381) -PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS Americans are accustomed to MATERIAL HAS PEEN GRANTED BY organized social protest. Since the Revolution, citizens have been ki. cxobby vigorous in expressing dissenting views. From the abolitionist movement of the 19th century to the labor agitation of the early 20th century to the civil rights, anti-war, TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES and feminist protests of the recent past, INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)" Americans have taken seriously their First Amendment right of peaceable assembly. U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Although we generally take this right for Office 01 Educations' Research and Improvement granted, the tradition of peaceful protest is EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) relatively new. It emerges from the difficult C' This document has been reproduced as historical struggles of others. A glimpse received born the Person or organization originating it into the English past can nrovide a valuable IT Minor changes have been made to improve perspective for understanding the turbulent reproduction quality The Death of Wat Tyler. (The Bettmanr Archive ) origins of our nght to gather together to Points of view or opinions stated in this docu merit do not necessarily repreSent official voice our grievances. OERI position or policy Fourteenth century England was a Froissart, a French histc an of the period, troubled place for most people. During the recorded one of John 3a11's fiery speeches: 1111101111oi Black Plague, one-third of the population What have we deserves, or why died. The Hundred Years War against France should we be kept thus in [servitude]? A New Series put a heavy tax burden on everyone, espe- We be all come frc,m one father and Thanks to the generous support of the cially the poor. The majority of people in mother, Adam and Eve. Whereby can Milken Family Foundation, this is the second t3/4 England were serfs, the poorest segment of they say or sl.v- w that [the noblemen] be of a special seriesof Bill of Rights in Action the population. A serf (also called a villeir.) greater lords than we be...? to begin commemorating the bicentennial of (1.." -...struggled to feed his family and to provide They are clothed in velvet... and the drafting and ratification of the amend- se,ces and fees to his lord. As a socio- we be [covered] with poor cloth. They ments to the U.S. Constitution. economic class, serfs were little more than have their wines, spices and good bread, During this school year, each issue focuses oslaves. Even free persons at this time taboret' and we have the rye bran and drink on one of the freedoms guaranteed by the hard to survive and their wages were fixed water. They dwell in fair houses, and First Amendment: religion, assembly, press by law at a low level. we have the... rain and wind in the and speech. Wit: tile signing of the Magna Carta in fields. And by that cometh from our The members of he Milken family, indi- 1215, England had been seized by the iron labors they keep and -nav,tain their vidually and through their various charitable grasp of great feudal lords and the Roman estates. foundations, support the role of education in Catholic Church. By the 1300s, voices of We be called their bondsmen and helping Amenca develop the character, well- discontent, and even revolution, echoed [unless] we do readily them service, we being and intelligence of its citizens through throughout the land. One such voice was be beaten. And we have no [representa- recognition of the values as contained in our that of John Buii, a wandering radical priest, tives] to whom we may complain, nor Constitution and its Bill of Rights. who preached against the wealth of the that will hear us nor do us right. church and the injustices of serfdom. Jean (continued on next page)

C1988. Constitutional Rights Foundation, Los Angeles All Constitutional Rights Foundation materials and publications, including the &H of Rights in Action, are protected by copyright. However, we hereby grant to all recipients a license to reproduce all material contaned herein for dstribution to students, other school to personneland dis:rict administrators. r ) L Let us go to the King, he is young, The Attack on the flames burning bright. On Thursday and show him [our harsh conditions] ... As the 20,000 seething iebels neared night, he and his men devised a plan to save And if we go together, all manner of London in mid-June 1381, the teen-age King the city and themselves. First, another people that be now in any bondage,will and his government found themselves in a meeting between the King and the rebels follow us... to be made free. And dangerous spot. Most of the organized royal would be arranged. Then,hile the King who , the King seeth us, we shall have army was out of the country fighting in tried to persuadc the people to disperse, some remedy, either by fairness or Europe. The King's men hoped the rebels Sudbury and Hales would escape from the otherwise. would sJon get hungry and go home. Stalling city. Everything depended on the young King for time, King Richard proposed a meeting remaining cool headed. When spoke, masses o, serfs with the rebels at Greenwich, a place flocked to hoar him. Many agreed, among On Friday morning, King Richard rode located about nine miles from London cm themselves at least, that he told the truth. out of the Tower on horseback to meet with the Thames River. His success at gathering crowds sealed his a large crowd at , outside of On Thursday, June 13, F ig Richard fate. Early in 1381, he was seized and London. While Wat Tyler was probably not sailed down the river on his royal barge, imprisoned under the orders of Simon there, other leaders presented the King with accompanied by Archbishop Sudbury, Sir Sudbury, the Archbishop of and a list of demands that included an end to Robert Hales,and other supporters. Wat Tyler chief political advisor of the fourteen year- serfdom in their counties and a pardon for made the firt move by sending a petition old "cing of England, Richard 11. their rebellious actions. King Richard demanding the heads of sixteen lords, readily agreed to the rebel demands and including those of Sudbury and Hales. Faced ordered 30 clerks to immediately prepare The Poll Tax with an impossibledemand, the King refused. charters freeing the villages of the rebel In 1380, the English Parliament met to Then, the men of Kent sent word that they counties from all feudal duties. raise more money for the continuing war wanted to speak directly with the King. In the meantime, Sudbury and Hales. against France. At the urging of Archbishop The meeting broke off and the Kirg returned the focus of the people's hate, tned to leave Sudbury and Sir Robert Hales, the Royal to London. Nevertheless, for perhaps the the . Once discovered, Treasurer, Parliament agreed to assess a new first time in English history, a group of a mob led by Wat Tyler attacked the Tower poll tax. Each adult in the kingdom would ordinary people with grievances against the and captured the two men. Dragged to Tower have to pay. It was especially hard on the government had met with their King. Hill, Sudbury and Hales were quickly poor because it was the third such special beheaded The mob carried the grisly tax in four years and the rate was the same trophies through the city streets on poles for everyonc. Both lords and serfs had to and set them atop the gate at . pay one shilling apiece. Though no real burden for the wealthy lords, for the, vast The Death of Wat Tyler numbers of serfs and other poor people, one The blood fury of the rebellion was nearly shilling represented about a month's work. spent. The rebels held London. Sudbury Worse still, many of the King's tax and Hales were dead. The King had agreed collectors were corrupt. Collectors accepted to end serfdom. Many of the 20,000 rebels bribes to remove people's names from the began to go home, clutching their pardons tax roll. Some who had already paid the poll and newly-won charters of freedom. Still, tax had to pay it again. hundreds stayed on in London, burning, In late May 1381, rebellion erupted and looting, and sometimes killing. Among spread into the surrounding counties. By them were Wat Tyler and John Ball. early June, rebels were marching in Kent, On Saturday, June 15, King Richard the county across the Thames River from proposed to meet again with the rebels. In , to the south of London. On June 7, a final attempt to get them to leave London, the rebels freed John Ball, the radical priest a meeting took place at a cow market, called who had been jailed by Archbishop Sudbury. Smithfield, Just beyond one of the city By this time, a rebel leader had emerged. walls. Several thousand people assembled to He was Wat Tyler, a Kent man who may meet their King, escorted by only 200 men. have been a local craftsman or an ex-soldier. Riding a small horse, Wut Tyler ap- Tyler took command of a growing army of proached the King, who was also mounted. serfs, free laborers, craftsmen, war veterans, Wat Tyler's army of serfs burns a monastery Wat dismounted and addressed his King as 1The Bettmann Archise ) merchants, village priests, and even some "Brother:' Wat then told him that he would local officials. All had grievances against Angered over their failure to get the not leave London unless a whole new list the King's government and ,athered togethcr heads of Sudbury and Hales, the people's of demands were satisfied. through their hatred of the poll tax and army from Kent headel for London. Along Wat Tyler's demands, probably the ideas the feudal system. Significantly, even while the way, they burned more houses of nobles of John Ball, included an end to all titles they Wattled Sudbury, Hales, and other and the King's officials. Rebel sympathizers of nobility (except that of the King), the government officials for their troubles, they lowered the drawbridge at London Bridge, elimination of all church offices except for declared their loyalty to King Richard. giving them direct access to the city. A short one bishop, the confiscation of all lands Under Wat Tyler, an armed rebel force time later, other Londoners opened one of owned by the feudal lords and the church of 10,000 commoners from Kent began the city gates, allowing the second rebel for re-distribution to the people, and an marching to London. Another 10,000 Essex group f roil' Essex to enter. end to serfdom throughout the kingdom. rebels made their way towards the city Rioting and fires broke out all through Richard agreed to everything and ordered along the other side of the Thames River. London that night. From his temporary Wat and his men to go home. The two rebel armies converged on London, residence in the Tower of London, an ancient Perhaps suspectim that the King could burning and plundering as they went. fortress and prison, Kit,g Richard could see not meet these outrageous demands even if

2 he wanted to, Wat began to address him Amendment of the li S. Constitution, did in a rude manner. One of the King's men not exist at the time t.'Nat Tyler's rebellion. shouted that Wat Tyler was the greatest With no tradition of peaceful protest, people thief in Kent. Wat demanded his head and had no chance to legally gather together to drew a dagger. , the mayor voice then glievaikes. Over the past 600 of London, moved to arrest Wat for drawing years since Wat Tyler's rebellion, the right his dagger in the presence of the King. of peaceful assembly has evolved in England Wat stabbed the Mayor, but tot dagger was and the United States. In both countries, turned back by Walworth's shirt of chain rules have been established enabling the mail. Fighting back, Walworth finally people to exercise this right. What rules for wounded \Vat in the neck and head with the right of peaceful assembly do you think a short sword. are reasonable? In this activity, the members When the rebels realized wha: had of your class will have an opportunity to happened, they started to draw their long- decide for themselves. bows. Seizing the moment, the courageous boy-king spurred his horse alone into the A.Form four or five small groups and then discuss the following questions: crowd and shouted: "Sirs, will you shoot I. Should groups of protestors be pro- your K.ng? I will be your captain and your leader. Only follow me:' Richard's act saved hibited by law from assembling outside any of the following kinds of private the day as he led the rebels to a nearby field. property? a) a person's home; b) a church, Mayor Walworth rode back to London synagogue, or mosque; c) a business to rally the King's supporters. Quickly, establishment; d) a private organization; several hundred armed men returned with King Richard II. (The Be tmann Archive 1 him to the field, where they found King and e) a hospital or clinic. 2. Should groups of protesters be prc Richard still talking to the rebels. Rein- Why does he propose that those in bondage hibited by law from assembling outside forced, the King's men surrounded the field. go to speak to the King? any of the following kinds of public Mayor Walworth wanted vengeance on 2. What do you think was the main reason property? a) a courthouse; b) a state Wat Tyler. Walworth rode back to the original for the failure of Wat Tyler's rebellion? Legislature; c) a police station; d) a jail Smithfield meeting place, located the dying Could the rebels have done anything dif- or pnson; e) a public school; f) the U.S. rebel leader, and beheaded him on the spot. ferently in order to have achieved their goals? Capitol building; g) the White House; Spearing Tyler's head on a lance, Walworth 3. Tom Paine. the American revolutionary and h) a foreign embassy or consular carried it to the cowering rebels. Although thinker, wrote an essay in 1791 defending office the King's men wanted to slaughter the Wat Tyler's rebellion. Paine concluded his 3. Should the number of people partici- remaiaing rebels, Richard would not permit essay by declaring, "If Barons merited a pating in protest marches or assemblies it. Instead, he sent them home with a pardon. monument to be erected in Runnymeade, be limited by law? When the King's forces returned to the city, Tyler ments one in Smithfield." What 4. Should protest marches on public Wat Tyler's head replaced those of Sudbury happened at Runnymeade? What happened streets be limited by law to certain times? and Hales on London Bridge. at Smithfield? How were these events 5. Are there any actions or behavior that Once the rebellion was over, King similar, and different, to one another? should be prohibited by law during pro- Richard showed his true colors. He cancelled Do you agree or disagree with Tom Paine's test marches? all the pardons and charters abolishing opinion of Wat Tyler? Are there places in serfdom. Then, he ordered and even led a the world today with conditions similar to B.Follow the next steps to create a class general round-up of those who had partici- those faced by Tyler and his fellow serfs? set of rules for the right of peaceful pated in the rebellion. About 200 were 4. The founders of our American republic assembly: hanged; others were imprisoned or fined. were mindful of English h:story and most I. Every group should review its answers According to one account John Ball was, had expenenced a revolution themselves. to the questions above and write a one "drawn, disembowelled, hanged, and Many feared the potential danger of mob or two sentence rule for each one (five beheaded as a traitor." action. Why do you think they included the rules). Wat Tyler's rebellion lasted less than a right to peaceful assembly in our Bill 2. Each group should write its set of month. When it was over, the :,aced poll tax of Rights? rules on the chalkboard. was suspended and it was not used again 3. After comparing and discussing the for more than 100 years. Little else had For Further Reading sets of rules proposed by the groups, the changed. One group of serfs approached Dobson, R.B., ed.The Peasant's Revolt class members should finally vote to King Richard when he was searching the of 1381.2nd ed. London: Macmillan decide which ones they believe are best countryside for Wat Tyler's followers. Press Ltd., 1983. [This is a collection of for regulating the right of peaceful Showing the King their charters of freedom, primary resources.] assembly in the United States today. the serfs asked if it were true that they were Hutchinson, Harold F.The Hollow Crown: C.The U.S. Supreme Court has often been still in' ondage. King Richard firmly replied, A Life of Richard 11.New York John asked to make decisions about peacable "Villeins ye are. and villeins ye shall remain" Day Co., 1961. assembly. Research and discuss some of the actual rules governing the right of peaceful assembly in ourcountryas For Discussion and Writing I 1.Read John Ball's speech again, located AC T V IT Y described in the following opinions: at the beginning of the article. lb whom was Hague v. C.1.0.,59 S. Ct. 954 (1939); he speaking? What was his main complaint? Rules for the Right of Peaceful "ssembly Edwards v. South Caroltia,83 S. C: What argument did he use to prove that "The right of the people to peaceably 680 (1963);Adderly v. Florida,87 S. "lords be no greater rnastera than we be?" assemble," which appears in the First Ct. 242 (1966). 3 t 1 more stubborn, and apathy more frozen, the U.S. Constitution. "I pronounce it the Freedom of Assembly than among slave owners themselves:' most bloody and Heaven-daring arrangement Garrison declared that he would accept ever made by men for the continuance and U.S. History no compromises on the issue of the im- protection of the most atrocious villainy mediate freedom for the slave population. ever exhibited on earth:' The only moral As he proclaimed in The Liberator, "On thisthing for the North to do, Garrison argued, WILLIAM LLOYD subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, was to peacefully leave the Union and write or write, with moderation." In concluding a new constitution explicitly forbidding GARRISON his first editorial, I,e signaled his determina- slavery. tion: "I am in earnestI will not equivocate AND THE Ewaver)I will not excuseI will not retreat The Boston Mob a single inchI WILL BE HEARD:' By 1834, Garrison's uncompromising BOSTON MOB While The Liberator never became a demand for the immediate emancipation of popular newspaper, Garrison saw to it that the slaves had gained only a few supporters. Although the First Amendment it waL widely distributed, even in the South. Most southerners believed slavery necessary guarantee of free assembly has Angry letters poured in, attacking Garrison's for their economy; irony northern businesses been part of the U.S. Constitution harsh and uncompromising stance against were deeply involved in the profitable cotton since 1791, Americans have had to struggle slavery, slave owners, and an apathetic trade. Also, northern laborers feared that hard to implement that right. Throughout public. One southerner wrote, "Shame on emancipated blacks would flood the labor the 19th century, citizens encountered the Freemen of Boston for permitting such market, driving down wages and taking dangerous obstacles as they sought to exercise a vehicle of outrage and rebellion to spring away jobs. their constitutional rights. An incident from into existence among them." This attack In the North, opposition against the more than 150 years ago is a vivid example only encouraged Garrison. "My languagc is abolitionist movement grew and became of some of the difficulties people have faced exactly such as suits me:' he replied in violent. Speakers against slavery were in establishing their free assembly guarantee. The Liberator, "it will displease many, heckled, mobbed, and tarred and feathered. When Andrew Jackson became president I knowto displease them is my intention."Anti-slavery meetings were broken up. of the United States in 1829, the abolitionist In August 1831, eight months after the Abolitionist newspapers found their offices or anti-slavery movement was divided. founding of The Liberator, Nat Thrner's wrecked and their presses destroyed. While the slave trade had been illegal for Rebellion broke out in Virginia. More than Garrison wrote in The Liberator: "To sustain more than 20 years, abolitionists continued 50 white people were slaughtered and over that system (slavery) there is a general to debate how slavery itself should be 100 slaves were hanged, including Nat 'flamer willingness to destroy LIBERTY OF ended. One group of abolitionists believed himself. Many southemers blamed Garrison's SPEECH and of the press and to mob or that American slaves should be sent back abolitionist newspaper for stirring up the murder all who oppose it." to Africa to start a new life in their own slaves. On August 21, 1835, a pro-slavery colony. Others argued that the slaves should Garrison denied that The Liberator was meeting was held in Boston's Faneuil Hall be emancipated gradually and then educated responsible for the slave rebellion. In his where the spirit of the American Revolution before becoming full American citizens view the injustice of slavery itself was had been bom. Many well-to-do Bostonians, Only a few abolitionists, like William Lloyd cause enough for blacks to throw off their as well as a number of southerners, attended Garrison, called for immediate and com- chains and only disaster for the entire nation the meeting. The mayor of Boston, Theodore plete emancipation. would result if slavery continued: Lyman, chaired the assembly. Garrison was Wo to this guilty land, unless she shocked to learn that when Washington and The Liberator speedily repents of he: evil doings! Jefferson had been praised as slave owners, William Lloyd Garrison, a progressive The blood of millions of her son., cries proper Bostonians cheered journalist who believed in equal rights for aloud for redress! IMMEDIATE In response, Garrison invited George both blacks and women, began his own EMANCIPATION can alone save her Thompson, an English abolitionist, to speak abolitionist newspaper in 1831. He end his from the vengeance of Heaven and to New England audiences during the partner, Isaac Knapp, chose to set up their cancel the debt of ages! summer and fall of 1835. The Boston printing press in Boston "within sight of Garrison's denials did little good. The newspapers protested and called upon "me- Bu. ker Hill and the birthplace of liberty :' Liberator was banned nearly everywhere inof property and standing" to show their Na i- sing their weekly The Liberator, Garrison the ..auth. The Georgia State Senate went soopposition. The Boston Female Anti-Slavery and Knapp announced their intention to far as to brand Garrison as an outlaw by Society announced Thompson would speak depend solely on the power of the word, not offering a $5000 reward for his arrest and at its meeting on October 21. limo merchants violence, to destroy slavery in America. conviction for inciting rebellion among the distributed 500 inflammatory handbills For the next 35 years, Garrison, as the main slaves. claiming that, "A purse of $100 has been contributor to The Liberator, championed Garrison continued to question the role raised by a number of patriotic citizens to the abolitionist cause. of the free states in a union that permitted reward the individual who shall first lay The masthead of The Liberator portrayed slavery. "It is awful to reflect:' he wrote violent hands on Thompson, so that he may a slave auction taking place in a horse on the first anniversary of The Liberator, be brought to the tar-kettle before dark?' market. Although Gamson viciously "that it is solely by the authority of the When Garrison arrived outside the Anti- attacked southern slaveholders, he also free states that slavery is tolerated in our Slavery Society's meeting hall. he found condemned northern indifference. In the land...We are guiltyall guiltyhorribly more than 100 men noisily milling about. first issue of The Liberator (January I, 1831), guilty:' "That's Garrison!" members of the crowd Garrison wrote that in the North, "I found In 1833, while speaking against the shouted as he ent :red the building. contempt more bitter, opposition more establishment of a colony in Africa for Garrison soon discovered that he was active, detraction more relentless, prejudice American blacks, Ga.-rison even,,,clenounced the only man in an audience of about 20 o 4 women. Thompson had apparently been warned to stay away. As the crowd outside grew more violent, Garrison decided to leave the hall. The entrance to the hall was now blocked, so he retreated into a nearby office. 1 housands crowded f he street outside Frip crying, "Thompson! Thompson!" Mayor Lyman, flanked by a few police officers, OM.-1 appeared and told the crowd that Thompson VOL. 1.1 WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON AND ISAACKNAPP, PUBLISHERS 17:1 was not there, but the commotion continued. Masthead of William Lloyd Garrison's The Liberator, with an illustration of an American slave market Lyman, now fearful, asked the women to (The Bet nann Archive ) adjourn their meeting. As they left the building, the crowd hissed and jeered. Members of the crowd soon located For Discussion and Writing SITUATION #I: A speaker in a hall says Garrison. They attempted to break in the I.How did William Lloyd Garrison differ Hitler was right to exterminate the Jews door to the office where he sat calmly at from most other abolitionists in the early during World War II. Outside the hall, a desk writing a letter. The thousands out- 1830s? several hundred people are shouting threats side, now a notous mob, took up a new 2. Why did Garrison attack northerners, against the speaker, breaking windows with chant: "Garrison! Gamson! We must have as well as southern slave owners. inThe rocks, and/preventing others from going Gamson!" Others began to shout, "Out with Liberator? inside. What, if anything, should the police him! Lynch him!" 3. Why did people in the North attack do in this situation? Leaving by a back window, Garrison abolitionist speakers`' 4. Read the First Amendment of the SITUATION #2: A college student, speak- temporanly escaped their wrath. Again, he ing on a street corner, calls the president of was quickly discovered, hiding in the second- Constitution. Do you think the First Amendment gave the "Boston Mob" the the United States "a liar and a pig:' About floor loft of a carpentry shop. Members of a dozen people listening to the speaker yell, the mob seized Gar-ison and nearly threw right to act as it did? Why or why nor' 5. Under the circumstances, do you think "Get out of here!" and "Go back to Russia!" him out of a window to those below. One man threatens to punch the speaker. Changing their minds, they coiled a rope Mayor Lyman did the right thing dealing with the "Boston Mob" incidefit? What What, if anything, should the police do in around his body and forced him to make his this situation? way down from the window on a ladder. To other options did he have under the Garrison's surprise, Mayor Lyman's men circumstances? SITUATION #3: A group of about 50 grabbed him when he reached the ground people gather in a public park on a Sunday and guarded him through the angry anti- For Further Reading afternoon to listen to AIDS victims tell their abolitionist mob. Fredrickson, Ge-rge M ed.William Lloyd stones. About 20 neighborhood toughs yell First, they took Garrison to the mayor's Garrison.Englewood Cliffs. N.J insults and start to push membeis of the cffice in City Hall. Later, the Mayor decided Prentice-Hall, 1968. [Includes editorials gay crowd. What, if anything, should the to send him, by carriage, to a jailhouse for fromThe Liberator.] I -dice do in this situation? his own safety. During the trip, the mob Thomas, John L.The Liberator: William attacked again. At one point, the police had Lloyd GarrisonBoston. Lades Brown SITUATION #4: About 25 Klu Klux Klan members chocse a black neighborhood to to dnve the attackers off the moving carnage. and Co., 1963 Safe at last, Garrison spent the night in a hold a march. protesting the observance of jail cell where he was visited by friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birtnday. Before the march begins, the police receive phone His release came the next day after he promised to leave the city for a while. calls from several individuals threatening to shoot the Klan members If they show up. In his own account of the incider t, AC TIV IT Y What, if anything, should the police do in Garrison wrote that he was outraged such a thing could happen in Boston, "the cradle The Problem cf a Hostile Crowd this situation? of Liberty" He condemned Mayor Lyman The problem of a hostile "rowd puts law SITUATION #5: A group of about 3G anti- for not arresting the leaders of the mob. enforcement authomes in a difficult abortion protesters march in a circle, on a He also complained that the Mayor had situation. They have a duty to preserve sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic, given no assurance to the citizens of Boston peace and order. but they must also protect chanting slogans and carrying signs. As "that the right of frt., discussion shall be the First Amendment right of citizen women attempt to enter the clinic, the pro- enjoyed without molestation:' express their opinions. testers try to block the entrance and harass To his abolitionist supporters, William Below are five hostile crowd situations. the women, trying to persuade them not to Lloyd Garrison lx,:ame a symbol for the Form five small groups with one situation have an abortion. What, if anything, should cause. M,re importanCy those who had assigned to each group. Each group will first me police do in this situation' beer. apathetic or even hostile to the anti- discuss what. if anything, the police should .lavery movement began o take it more do in the situation. After discussing the The following U.S. Supreme Court seriously. After the "Poston Mob" a growing hostile crowd situations, the groups should decisions address the problem of a hostile number of people became convinced that report their corclusions to the class. After crowd:Chaphnsky v. New Han.pshire,315 slavery could not exist in a free society. each group makes its report. the other U.S. 568 (1942);Terminiello v. Chicago, At long last, Garrison had begun to move members of the class should have the oppor- 337 U.S. 1 (1949); andFeiner v. New York, the conscience of America. tunity to agree or disagree. 340 U.S. 315 (1951).

S 6 Freedom of Assembly U.S. Government THE LUNCH COUNTER SIT-INS Black College Student: "I'd like a cup of coffee please." White Waitress: "I'm sorry. We don't serve Negroes here." Student: "I beg to disagree with you. You just finished serving me at a [merchandise] collider only two feet away from here." Waitress: "Negroes eat at the other end" [a stand-up counter] .441ordi Student: "This is a public place, isn't it? If it isn't, then why don't you sell member- The four students from North Carolina X &T College sit-Inat the Woolworth lunch counter. February 1,1960. ship cards?" (The Bettmann Archive ) Waitress: "Well, you won't get any service here!" [she walks away] The Student Sit-In Movement Despite the truce in Greensboro, the Word of what happened at Woolworth'sstudent sit-in tactic quickly spread through- On Monday, February I, 1960, four spread rapidly among the other students at out the rest of the state and the entire South. black college students sat down at the A & T. On Monday night, a student com- Black college and high school students segregated lunch counter of Woolworth's r,,ittee was formed to continue the sit-in realized that they too could make a difference five and ten store in Greensboro, North The students agreed to conduct their protestin the right against racial injustice. Student Carolina. according to the nonviolent principles of sit-ins took place at lunch counters, libraries, The four students, Ball Blair, Jr., Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Under svimming pools, and other facilities serving Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and no circumstances would they resort to the public in hundreds of locations. David Richmond, were all freshmen at the physical force even if provoked. The student sit-ins surprised the older all-black North Carolina Agricultural and On Wednesday, more than 60 students leaders of the black civil rights movement, lechnical College (A & T) located in occupied almost all of the lunch counter but they quickly began backing the students. Greensboro. "The Four" (as they later were seats. By Thursday, black students from Roy Wilkins, executive secretary for the called) became close friends at the college other local colleges and a high school were National Association for the Advancement and spent many hours talking about all sorts participating in the sit-in. Three young of Colored People (NAACP), recognized of things, especially the injustices of racial white women from nearby North Carolina the importance of sit-in movements. segregation. During one Sunday night bull Woman's College also showed up. Al- When a whole generation of young session, they realized that it was not enough together, about 300 young people crowded people decides a thing is wrong, then to talk; action is what really counted. They around the lunch counter. White teen-age decided to go down to Woolworth's "white it's dead. The white people can go on boys and young men began to heckle the pretending if they choose to do so, only" lunch counter the next day and sit sit-in protesters by calling them names, but can be "tough" or not as they please there until they were served. the students !efused to be baited. When It will not affect the final outcome, When the four young men sat down at hecklers occupied some of the lunch counter which is that segregation in public the lunch counter they had no idea what seats, a group of students marched down places must go. would happen. The store manager, C L the block to the S.H. Kress store and sat in Harris, told his employees to ignore them at its lunch counter. "The Sky Did Not Fall" while he went to the police station. The Friday proved to be another tentday Ironloally, most of the white people in police chief explained that he could do when hundreds of people, including protest-Greensboro at this time seemed to believe nothing unless Harris wanted the yovng ing students, hecklers, law enforcement that blacks had been satisfied with the way men arrested for trespassing. But Harris, officers, nev's reporters, and onlookers things were. Some were genuinely surprised hoping to avoid bad publicity, decided not converged on the Woolworth and Kress when the sit-ins revealed that "their Negroes" to press charges. stores On Saturday morning, more than resented racial indignities such as being Meanwhile, back at the lunch counter, 500 people filled the area around Woolworth's barred from downtown lunch counters. a small crowd had gathered. Some white lunch counter. Wilde youths carrying Diro weeks after the students stepped people told the students, "You know you Cot,federate flags continued jeering. At their sit-ins, the mayor of Greensboro don't belong here." Ignoring them, Blair, noon, the A & T football team arrived to appointed a committee to deal with the McCain, McNeil, and Richmond remained add their support to the sit-in. A bomb matter. Made up of elected city officials anchored to their lunch counter seats. At threat finaly caused C. L. Harris to close and community business men, the com- one point, two police officers did arrive to his store. The crowd marched on to the mittee had only one black member. observe the scene, but took no action. "The Kress store to continue the protest. It also The mayor's committee asked citizens Four" just quietly sat there, challenging soon closed. Marching back to A & T, the to state their opinions about the racial decades of racial indignity. Finally, at students shouted, "We whipped Woolworth!" integration of lunch counters. About 70 closing time, the students left, promising and "It's all ce.er!" They then suspended percent of the more than 2000 letters to return the next day. the sit-ins to wait for policies to change. received supported some kind of equal 6 service for blacks. However, many on the and furor. Negroes did not request service service on account of race. Do you agree committee considered this response too en masse. They ewe as individuals and with this law. or do you believe that pr: ate small. they were served as individuals. The sky businesses shot. 'd have the right to refuse After meeting for seven weeks, the did not fall." to serve wi mever they wish? [To find out mayor's committee proposed integrated More than 30 southern cities integrated how the U.S. Supreme Court answered this lunch counter seating with a section reserved their lunch counters in the summer of 1960 question, see Heart of Atlanta Motel v. for whites only. Nevertheless, the down- A year later, over 100 cities in the South United States. 379, U.S. 241 (1964).] town store managers rejected this proposal, had at least some integrated eating facilities fearing the loss of white business The So effectively used in Greensboro. the For Further Reading A & T students also refused to endorse student sit-in rapidly berime a favorite Adamson, Madelaine and Seth Borgas. what would amount to a continuance of tactic of civil rights demonstrators pro- ThisMightyDream: Social Protest Move- racially segregated lunch counters. testing racially segregatrestaurants, tnents in the United States. Boston: On April 1, 1960, the students again sat movies, hotels, and oth,, public accom- Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984. in at the Woolworth and Kress lunch modations. As the student body president of Wolff, Miles. Lunch at the Five and Ten: counters. Again, they were refused service. A & T, Jesse Jackson led such sit-ins in The Greensboro Sit-lns. New York: This time, at both stores, picketing went Greensboro three years after the lunch Stein and Day, 1970. on outside while the sit-ins went on inside. counters were integrated. Finally, President Additional pressure was added when the Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 NAACP organized an economic boycott of which, among other things, outlawed racial AC TIVITY both stores. discrimination in public accommodations On April 2i, a group of 45 students like lunch counters. S4 -In Activity marched to the Kress lunch counter and The sit-in became a new form of expres- In this activity, your class will have a were arrested for trespassing when they sion and a new way to protest injustice. chance to role play various strategy sessions refused to leave. These were the only arrests In its nonviolent way. the sit-in forced in the racially segregated South in the early of sit-in demonstrators during the entire segregationists to admit their racial prejudice 1960s Imagine that you are living in a protest in Greensboro. and to change their treatment of black small southern city with a recent history of As summer began. both sides were ap- Americans. nonviolent sit-in demonstrations at "white parently at a stalemate. A & T students had only" cafes and restaurants. These demon- trained black high school youth to carry on For Discussion and Writi tg strations have been widely publicized in the community and have generated tremendous the sit-ins after the college closed in June. I .Why do you think racially segregated Although C.L. Harris had voiced his deter- lunch counters were customary in Greensboro controversy among the population. Everyone mination not to integrate Woolworth's lunch and other southern cities in 1960? expects these nonviolent sit-ins to continue. counter unless all stores with lunch counters 2.In what way was the sit-in u new way Break t'ie class into the following interest did the same, he changed his mind of exercising the right of peaceable assembly') groups that, in very different ways. have a Economics, not morality or the law, Do you think the framers of the First stake in these demonstrations against racial brought about change. Evidently, the Amendment even imagined that peaceful segregation Each group should meet to economic boycott, plus the general dis- sit-ins could be a legitimate expression of discuss how it will respond to nonviolent ruption of the sit-ins, had caused Woolworth' this right? direct action. Each group should brainstorm to suffer a 20 percent drop in sales and a 50 3. How did the students show their com- separately for 25 minutes. Afterwards, each percent cut in profits. By July, C.L. Harris mitment to nonviolence dunng the Greens- group should present its strategic plans to feared his business was headed for failure. boro lunch counter sit-ins? the class as a whole. Time should be re- On July 25, the first blacks were served 4. The lunch counter sit-ins took place on served for class members to discuss the at Woolworth's integrated lunch counter private property. Do you agree that the store proposed strategies of these groups. (they were employees at the store). Soon owners had the right to have the sit-in I.Four or Five Black High School afterward, the other Greensboro stores demonstrators arrested for trespassing? Students: You have dec ded to participate in opened their lunch counters to both whites Why or why not' this movement by walking into a "white only" and blacks. After one week, The Greensboro 5. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 made it cafe or restaurant to express your opposition Daily News reported, "There was no fuss illegal for 'unch counters to deny someone to racial segregation You must determine (continued on next page) Let us hear from you! T.iis issue continues our Milken Family Foundation- 0Please send me a Starter Edition of Amencan Please print sponsored Bill of Rights in Ac lion Pleit,e take a moment 4/bum My check for $12 50 plus SI 50postage and let us know your opinion of the series by rating it and handlinris enclosed Name on the following basis (5 = Excellent. I - Poor)

I C1I'd like to find out more about CRF Publications. Title Subjects Topics 5 4 3 Content 5 4 3 Please send me a free Social Studies Materials 3 Questions 5 4 3 Catalog Address 4 Activities 5 4 3 (if incorrect 5 Usefulness 5 4 3 on label, 0Please send me information about CRF's reverse side) law-related and cmic education programs Comments or suggestions National Project activities California State Mock Trial Competition Returnto: Publications and Matenals Constitutional Rights Foundation California State History 601 South Kingsley Dnve Los Angeles and Orange County activities Los Angeles, California 90005 (213) 487-5590 S 7 (continued from page 7) what your target will be, what you wilt say CELEBRATE THE CONSTITUTION'S to the white customers who may be abusive and what you will do when faced with arrest. You must also figure out what training you BICENTENNIAL! need to remain nonviolent if faced with physical force. Unit 2 Examines the hie and work of John Marshall, the Chief Justice who shaped our 2. Fbur or Five White Northern Students: rights, economy and government in a dynamic You have decided to support the cause of the era black students in the South. You must Unit 3 Focuses on reformer Dorothea Dix determine what steps you will take in order and the roleofthe individual in shaping our to maximize your support. You must decide laws and whether to join them in the sit-in at the cafe or find an alternative method of support. Throughgh the life and times of Dred Scott students follow 'he issues that led to the You must also figure out IAat you should tragic civil war say in the face of skepticisini from many fellow students in the North and hostility Unit 5 Shadows Pinkerton's detectives from many white residents in the South. and the events leading to the gunfight at the OK Corral to examine law enforcement. 3.Four or Five Owners of Segregated Restaurants: You have decided to meet Unit 6. Contrasting styles of leadership at together because you know that your the turn of the century Quanah Parker, John establishments will be targeted by nonviolent Altgeld and President Teddy Roosevelt help students explore executive decision making. sit-in demonstrators. You must decide exactly how you will respond to these Unit 7 The careers and cases of Clarence demonstrations. You need to determine what Darrow and John Dewey during the 20s and arguments to present in order to persticie New for U.S History teachers, American 30s help students understand the role of legal them to leave. You must also decide what Album links the people, events, eras andissues advocates and our adversary system you abeady cover to a study of the Constitution to do about your angry white customers, Unit 8 Students study the civil rights and its place in American life Fully illustrated movement to learn how people and legal pro- about whether and when to call the police, with dozens of motivating and critical thinking and what you will say to the press. cesses interact to bring about social change activities to put students into the history they under tie Constitution, 4. Four or Five Police Officials: You study know from recent experience that the police #10341AA Starter Edition $1250 will be asked to restore order and make Unit 1Explores the work and triumphs #10342AA Class Set $165.00 arrests at sit-in sites. You must determine of the First Congress in laying the groundwork #10343AA Additional Student exactly how the police will react. You need for government Edition $5 50 to decide whether you will try to persuade the black students to leave or whether you will arrest them immediately. You also must figure out what to do with abusive white customers and whether to arrest white students who may be sitting in sympathy with black students. Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Constitutional Rights Foundation PAID 601 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, California 90005 Los Angeles, Calif. (213) 487-5590 Permit #25777

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