FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY (MFDP) : CONVENTION CHALLENGE 39. Memoranda and Diary June - October 196U

\ SEE ALSO: MISSISSIPPI POLITICS Count: Convention Report Canton, Mississippi (Madison) June 23, 1964 Dorothy Teal: Communications

Five delegat s from the west precinolsof Canton tried to attend tho Madison

County Democratic Convention Tuesday, June 23, in the courthouse in Canton, Mlsi i sippi.

Mrs, Margaret Glover, AD& Cowan St.; Mrs. Alberta Kelly, 501 N, Singletonj Mrs,

Arnle Devine, Apt, 347-D, Housing Project; Leonard Clay, 500 Welch; and Hx the

Rev, W, M, McCloud, Rt, 1, Box 6-B, : ade up delegation of elected representatives from the west precinct of the city. They reported that they entered the courtroom at 10 a,m, end sat down without interference. Sixteen >»n were seated around a table,

Mrs, Devine said that Mayor Stanley Matthews, who appocred to bo chairman of the group, appointed three men to • credentials coca :lttoe. The ooKCilttoe left t)ie room and returned shortly with a report or statement on a sh et of pa er« The report was handed to Chairman Matthews, who announced that the credentials oaranittee report was accepted unanimously. The report was not read aloud.

Than Mayor Mnttliews announced that this mooting was a meeting of the executive ooj'T ittee and that no visitors wore allowed, Af t r a moment's silence lie ropeatod the announcement, Mrs, Devine requested perniosion to speak and eald her group was the delegation fromthe west precinct seeking recognition from the Madison County

Democratic Convention,

At t'is point the Mayor said that there "wasn't goin;; to e any convention," re­ ported Mrs, Devine, lb repeated his announcement about the group being an executive committee and asked the west precinct delegation to leave* whereupon they left.

Having been denied a chance to meet with other elected Madison County Demo­ crats, tho west precinct delegation hold their own "county convention," electing

Leonard Clay as chairman. They selected the following representatives to attend the

Democratic District Caucus 1 Mrs, Annie Devine, delegate; and the Rev, W. M, BcCloud and Leonor" Clay, alternates. ' • Pop ^>-wr

RULES OP PROCEDURE Ii Election of delegates and alternates, A. At this convention ofthe 4th District four people are to be elected as delegates to the Democratic National Conven­ tion and two people as alternates, 1, The 4th District will be divided into two sections: The Eastern section composed of Neshoba, Kemper, Newton Jasper, Clarke, and Lauderdale counties; and The Western section composed of Leake, Scott, Smith, Simpson, Rankin, and i.Iadi3on counties, 2, [Two delegate3and one aternate will be elected from each section, &, First each of the twelve counties in the entire district will be given the opportunity to nominate a person from one of the eastern counties forelection as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, after which the chairman will open the floor for any further nominations. 4, Nominations for the two delegates from the wostern sect­ ion will follow tho same procedure, B. The following rules shall govern the election of delegates and alternates: 1, NO COUNTY MAY HAVE HOBS THAN ONE DELEGATE ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL GO J YE NT ION. \ A county may, however, have both a delegate and an alternate elected from its ral:3, 2, Ono alternate shall be selected from the eastern section andone from the western* The alternate si all bo the person receiving the next highest number of votes behind tho two delegates. In tho ovont that the two highest vote 1 winners are from the' same county, tho one receiving the second highest number shall bo an altornate. b. The altornalto si all have the perogative of declining hisclection, if he itbhos to run for delegate-at-large when tho State Convention convene3 at Jackson on Augus't 6, 3. There shall bo one ballot designating clearly the candidates from tho eastorn section andtte. candidates from the western section. 4, Each delegate to the district convention will have four votes andall ballotting will be done by the whole group. II, Election ofthc 4th District Presidential Elector, A. One per 3D n shall be elected from the 4th District asthe Presidential elector, III, Election of members to the state executive committee, A, Throe people 3hall be elected from tho body at largo to the State Executive Committee,

Bf As in the election ofdclegate3to tho National Convention, no county 3hall be allowed to have more than onomciabcr • elected to tho State Executive Committee However, each may, of courso, have more than ono nomination per county.

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•/\_ ESSENTIAL LEGAL POINTS FOR BRIEFING THE

I, INJUNCTION A, A Mississippi judge ruled on August 21st, that the injunction suit against the Freedom Party has no effect on this Convention because the Convention is the sole and final judge of who sits as its representatives. (BjThe injunction is unconstitutional as applied to the —'Freedom Party because a party which eacludes a group cannot at the same time forbid that group from affiliating with the National Party. (See footnote, #72, page 34.) II, Registered Voters A, There is no rule of the Democratic Convention that requires that the members of a delegation be regis­ tered votert, in order to be recognized, ^?% B. Those of us Jho arc not registered are kept off the rolls by vo : Lng registrars whose discriminatory practices hart been well documented. 8 out of 9 delegates ar z registered voters. III, Why Formed We formed ar.o' 1 er party and another delegation solely because we we excluded by the regular Mississippi party. Thus, e could not support the nominees of this convention. . ee pp. 5-1*0 IV, The Traditiori L Party May Not Be Seated Because: A, The "tradi t Lonal" party has not met the Rules of the Democ; i :ic Party because 1, They c not pledge to put the nominees of the Conven on on the ballot "under the designation and la") '1 of the Democratic Party." a. The aws of the state provide for a primary to chc > e electors for the ballot, and this has bee 3 called off. It is now uncertain how any: le will be on. b. Th pledge at the "traditional" Convention did no". say "under tho designation and label" and wo--d be me'e by placing the nominees on as inr. spendcnts. c. Tt> • Convention waa adjourned and may withdraw the pledge it made, as in i960. » 2, They are not"bona fide Democrats who have the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party at heart, • ." (Both rules on p. 36) B. The delegation was unconstitutionally elected. 1, Negroes were excluded at both precinct and county meetings, 2, There was not a single Negro at the State Conven­ tion (pp.47-53). C. In "Equity" we must be seated. 1. The regular party is closed; we are open. 2. The regular party is unfaithful; we are faithful, 3. The regular party has defied the law and suppressed Negroes; wehhave followed the law and have been suppressed. Uu. 1'. V. THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS A LEGAL DELEGATION WHICH SHOULD BE SEATED BECAUSE A, It represents over 50,000 people now and has a ppten- tial of over 500,000, white and black. B. It has complied with the laws of the State of Miss­ issippi, insofar as harassment has allowed, Including the holding of precinct meetings, county conventions, and a staee convention, and has conformed to the rules of the Convention (pp. 15-20).

(All pages reffered to are in the Brief.) PRLEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO: STAFF RL: NUI'IBIJ* OF PIJOPLL TO LILCT TO STATI FROM: FDP CONVENTION FROM LACH COUNTY The Greeneville staff meetings asked the Jackson office to figure out how many delegates are elected from each county convention to o to the district and state conventions. That list is attached, flso, here is a breakdown of what the other meetings elect.

County Conventions '* county convention should eloctta county oxocutivc pooplc of 15 people Also oach county elects people to so to tho dis trict and state convontions. Tho same people go to both. The attached page tolls how many pooplc go from oach county. District Convention: The District Convention (or district caucus) elects 6 delegates to the national convention, and three alternates. Thoy also elect three people to bo on the state executive committoc. They also choose one candidate for presidential elector. Stato Convention: The state convention elects the rest of the dclogatos to the national convention and approves the people elected at the district cuocuscs. They also elect a national Dcmoocratic Party Committeeman and Committocwoman. They also approve the people tho district meeting elected to the state executive committee. Here is th, information on how many people to cL. ct from each county to go to the district and statcmcetingsJ County Number of People to Licet -• D"olegates Altomatos Total Number, of People ULoctod Adams B 8 16 •klcorn 4 4 8 Amito 4 4 )rat 8 Attala 4 4 4 S'OH& aL^oLy?^^ Benton 4 4 Sony 8 Bolivar 12 12 24 Calhoun 4 4 8 O 0- Carroll 4 4 8 Chickasaw 4 4 8 "hoctaw 4 4 8 Cic.. -borne 4 4 8 Clarke 4 4 8 Clay 4 4 8 Coahoma 8 8 16 n Copi >h 8 8 16 b Covington 4 4 8 Desoto 4 4 8 Forrest 8 8 16 5 Franklin 4 4 8 \s\ George 4 4 8 2 Greene 4 4 8 Grenada 4 4 8 Hancock 4 4 3 County Number of People to Bloct Delegates Alternates Total Number of People •^lccto'd" Harrison 24 24 48 Hinds 36 36 72 Holmos 8 8 16 Humphreys 4 4 8 Issaquena 4 4 8 Itawamba £ 4 8 Jackson 12 12 24 Jasper 4 4 • 8 • Jefferson 4 4 •. tfofforson 8 Davis 8 Jones 24 Kemper 8 Lafayette 8 Lamar 8 Lauderdale 24 Laurence o 8 Leake •i- 8 . Lee • • 16 Loflorc 16 Lincoln 16 • Lownde 3 16 Madison 24-/£ Marion 8 Marshall 8 Monroe 16 Montgomery 8 Nc shoba 8 Newton 8 Noxubee 8 Oktibbeha 8 Panola / 16 • Pearl River . • 8 L Perry 8 Pike 16 Pontotoc 8 Prentiss 8 Quitman 8 Rankin 16 Scott 8 Sharkey 8 Simpson 8 Smith 8 Stone 8 "mf lower 16 ijs.1 .ahatchic 8 Tate 8 Tippah 8 Tip )ah 8 '•^'ip'iomdingo 8 Warren 16 Washington 24 Yazoo 16 Note: Tunica Uhion, Walthall, Wayne, Webster, Wilkinson, Winston andYalobusha oach fcloeta^delogatos and 4 alternates.

- MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION BALLOT

Slate of delegates to the National Convention: National Committeeman: Reverend Edward King National Committeewoman: Mrs. Victoria Gray

Helen Anderson (A) Mrs. Matthews (D)

Dr. A. D. Beittel (D) Charles McLaurin (D)

Mrs. Blackvrell (D) Leslie McLetnore (D)

Mrs. 31alock (D^ Pbtis Millsaps (D)

r J. . 3rown (D) Joe Net/ton (A)

James Carr (D) Hattie Falmer (D)

Ruby Evans (A) Beverly Polk (A)

f Pinkie Mall (D) I-larold Roby (A)

^ Macy Hardaway (A) Henry Sias (A)

Mr. Havrkins (A) Rev. R. L. T. 3aiith (A)

^ Mrs. Hudson (D) E. r. Steptoe (D) Johnny Jackson (D) Hartnan Turnbold (D) Oscar Jiles (A) Irs. Tyson (A) Mary Lane (D) L. H. aborn (A)

Rev. Merrill r. Lindsay (D) Nr. right (D)

Mrs. Lloyd (A)

At large presidential electors t

Pearl Drain

Frank Summers * f op r - C*4 \ J

Oregon! Al Ullmann R. I* t The Hon PmHitJ^n P^S-tVh-^. 360 Grand View Drive Senate Office Building, (A/^»A, D. {'.• Baker, Oregon Miss Bileen Martino Edith Green 107 Enfield Avenue. House Office Building Providence Wash., D. C« Ohio)Mrs * Helen Gunsett D. C* or Md., Mrs Todd Duncan "TOl South Walnut Rd* 1600 Upshur St., N. W. VaflWert, Ohio Washington, O* C. Neb*: John Cavanaugh Maryland: Mrs* Victoria Adams 3902 R. Street 3103 Carlyle Ave, Omaha Baltimore, Md. Col*l George Williams Joe Rauh * Rte 2, Box 341 1625 K St., N. W. Boulder Wash,, D. C* Evelyn Davidson Wise, Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkes 1845 South Hwigi-i'i AV2f3t~3 Washburn, Wise. Denver, Colo. Robert J|astenmeier , Wash*: Mrs* Marjorie King House Office Bldg. 1627 25th St. Washington, D. C. Seattle N. Y. Miss Joyce Austin Phillips Dr. Peter Ristuben 2181 Madison Avenue Rt. 5, Box 3082 New York, N. Y. Puyallup,

111! H. G. Fields Chairman of Committee 1364 North 38th St. Bast St* Louis, 111* Lawrence . -p . , A OhofeitaH Hotel <5n e ^BrQq- r3 hf] Mrs* R* Ryan 1/ 1320 HunlL 38 Hi 81 Washington, D. C* Chicago * Already unalterably committed to FDP N. J* : David Wilentz 252 Madison Avenue Perth AmbOy Ind. The Hon. Vance Hartke fiMj '• Senate Office Bldg* Washington, D. C. Wyoming: Wayne Miller 3813 South Poplar St* ?n4; Mrs* Violet Lawler 1507 West Lincoln Way Cheyenne

, TO: FDP workers, Communications & Research From: Jackson FDP workers

We now have the new list of delegates and alternates to the National Democratic Convention from the so-called, self-styled Mississippi "Democratic" Party* We also want to check out the members of the ^tate Executive Committee* Please follow same procedure we suggested •with the I960 list - try to find out if you can, what compromising organizations they belong to, who their notoricus acquaintances are, whether they have ever fired Negroes who work for them because of voter registration activities, etc*. Also check for statements of racism, anti- everything* You might try to get an interview, then you could get direct quotes and ask direct questions about party loyalty, Goldwater, etc* Now this batch is going to be harder than the first batch, because this year's people are more the non-entity type than the big-man-who- controls-the-county type - for obvious reasons. None of the bigwigs wants to be compromised by attending this convention, yet they feel SOMEEODY must be there to fill up the chairs and prevent you-know-what from happening* So if no-one in your area has ever heard of these people call them up. Maybe you will discover some'moderates', some Sunday-school teacher types who are being sent because they are softer than the others* A defection or two from their delegation to ours would cause a little stir and we need whites* Good Luck - we doubt that you will come up with much, but please try! "this week if possible* tut wtimmiMiiiHtK mm HUM m

1st District:

Byrd Mauldin of Pontotoc State Executive Committee Donald Franks, Booneville State Executive Committee S.T. Pilkington, Artesia State Executive Committee Mrs* Alice Phillips, Macon National CommitteeWoman Howard Johnson, Jr* Corinth State At Large Delegate Malcom Vaughn Aberdeen . State At Large Delegate Tom Longnecker Amory State At Large Delegate William Inzer Pontotoc State At Large Delegate W.D. Guest Bruce S^ate At Large Delegate Joe Patterson Calhoun City refused to go because got his name all wrong on delegates* list Thomas Pound Pontotoc *istri»t Delegate J.R* Long Iuka District Delegate Alton Phillips Macon District Delegate T.D. Harden Amory District relegate

2nd DISTRICTt

James Cahill 3r, Senatobia State Executive Committee Hardy Lott Greenwood Will Hickman Oxford ti

James Cahill, Jr* Senatobia Sbabp At T.avge Delegate Doug Wynn Greenville t? Frank 0«Ifc-Jpn Holly Springs I! J.H. Peebles frrr>».iiWUOd tt -2-

2nd District (cont'd):

B*J* Brocato Claries dale District Delegate Ralph Ferrell Rolling Fork W.E.Lamb Mineral Wells n Dan Ferguson Batesville ii

Dr.vc Bennett Benton County Chairman of Credentials Committee Ed' White Holmes County Chairman of Resolutions Committee Rep. Wilburn Hooker Hclmes County Chairman of Nominating Committee 3rd District:

W.E. Gore Jackson State Executive Committee Francis Geoghegan Fayette It Ben Chase Callon Natchez

Ray Cannada Edwards State At Large Delegate Herman Decess Yazoo City 11 Judge Tom Brady Brookhaven tt

Arlie Warren Natchez District Delegate Otho Messer Crysta} Springs Ed Laws on Liberty Frank Wall Liberty State At Large Delegate

Uth District:

Betty Long Meridian Permanent Secretary

Lester Williamson Meridian State Executive Committee Joe A* McFarland Bay Springs it Paul Measell Newton it

Jimmy Morrow, Jr* Brandon State At Large Delegate Tnm Riddell, Jr. Canton II Gillis Eaves Pearl u Clyde Hennington Pearl II

R.L* Moss Lena District Delegate Bennie Rogers Morton ti . Earl Hosey Meridian it Milton McMullen Newton n

5th District:

Sen. E.K. Collins Laurel National CommitteeMan Lt. Gov. Carroll Gartin Laurel Permanent Chairman

Bidwell Adam Gulfport State Executive Committee Robert H* Newton Wiggins II Jack H* Pittman Hattiesburg ti

James Simpson Pass Christian State At Large Delegate Joe Petro Gulfport II C.R. Holliday Picayune ti Mrs * Harvey West Hattiesburg II Charles Proffer Gulfport ii -3- 5th District (cont'd):

W.O. Thomas, Jr. Collins QLstrict Delegate O.B. Bowen Richton II Harvey West Hattiesburg . n

Duplications:

Senr «.K**»eollins Laurel- National Committeeman, is also a District Delegate

Ben Chase Callon Natchez State Exec* Committee, is also a District Delegate*

Jack H. Pittman Hattiesburg State Exec* Committee, is also a District Delegate*

The latter two men are the only members of the State Executive Committee who are going to be part of the delegation! I RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC TARTY California WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi is undemocrati- cally constituted because it discriminates against large numbers of citizens';9 and WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi does not support the platform and policies of the National Democratci Party; and WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi in I960 did not support the nominees of the Democratic National Convention despite a pledge made at the convention by leaders of the Mississippi Democratic Party; and WHEREAS, a Freedom Democratic Party is being established in the state of Mississippi which is open to all citizens regardless of race, which will support the national platform and candidates, and which is being spon­ sored by a coalition of civil rights and liberal organizations; and WHEREAS, the Freedom Democratic Party plans to seek to be seated in place of the delegation from the traditional Democratic Party of Mis­ sissippi at the 1964 Democratic National Convention; Now therefore be it resolved that the 1964 California Democratic Council convention urge the California delegation at the forthcoming national convention to take all appropriate action to seat the delegates from the Freedom Democratic Party of Mississippi if they should petition for credentials and to deny credentials to the delegates from the tradition­ al Democratic Party of Mississippi. (Adopted unanimously by the 2,600 delegates to the California Democratic Council meeting in Long Beach, February 21-23).

Michigan WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi is undemocrat- ically constituted in that it discriminates against large numbers of citizens; and WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi does not sup­ port the platform and policies of the national Democratic Party; and WHEREAS, the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi in I960 did iot support the nominees of the Democratic National Convention despite 3. pledge made at the convention by leaders of that state's delegation;and 7/HEREAS, a Freedom Democratic Party is being established in the state of lississippi which is open to all citizens regardless of race and which will support the national platform and candidates; and 7HEREAS, the Freedom Democratic Party plans to seek to be seated in place of the delegation from the traditional Democratic Party of Missis­ sippi at the 1964 Democratic National Convention; NOW•THEREFORE be it resolved that the May, 1964 Washtenaw County Demo­ cratic Convention hereby asks the state convention to urge the Michigan delegation at the forthcoming national convention to take all appropri­ ate action to scat the delegates from the Freedom Democratic Party of Mississippi if they should petition for credentials and to deny creden­ tials to the delegates from the traditional Democratic Party of Mississip (Passed unanimously by the Democratic Party State Convention, June 12-13, Lansing, Michigan).

Iinnesota WHEREAS: 1. The traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi is a totally segregated party which does not permit hundreds of thousands of Negro citizens in Mississippi to vote or otherwise participate in its affairs. 2. The traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi did not support the I960 platform or candidates of the national Democratic Party and now proclaims that it is not a part of the national Democratic Party. 3. A Freedom Democratic Party is being established in Mississippi w'aich is open to all citizens regardless of race and is committed to Lapport the national platform and candidates. 4. The Freedom Democratic Party is seeking to seat its delegates to the 1964 Democratic National Convention in place of the delegates from the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi.

•9 5. Minnesota welcomes this opportunity to demonstrate its devo­ tion to justice and equal rights for all citizens regardless of race", creed, color or national origin. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Convention instructs the Minnesota delegation to the forthcoming Democratic National Conventions 1. To take all appropriate action to prevent the seating of the delegates from the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi. 2. To consider the request to seat the delegates of the Freedom Democratic Party with sympathy and in the light of all the facts that will be presented to the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention. 3. To follow the same policy if the credentials of any other State delegation are challenged on the grounds on which the Mississippi delegation will be challenged. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be sent to the members of the Democratic National Committee, its Chairman and to the Chairman of each State Democratic Party. (Passed unanimously by the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, meeting in convention June 27, 1964, at the St. Paul Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Wisconsin WHEREAS, The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is firmly committed to the principle of one-man one-vote; and WHEREAS, the Democratic party of this state is committed thru its plat­ forms and its candidates to actively strive for legislation that will ensure equality under the law for all citizens; and, WHEREAS, in certain states such as Mississippi delegates are selected by a non-representative white minority; and, WHEREAS, the official Democratic Party in certain states has not sup­ ported the national ticket or the national platform particularly in regard to civil rights; THEREFORE, be it resolved that the V/isconsin delegation to the Democrati National Convention be urged to oppose the accrediting of those state delegations that are not loyal to the basic civil rights principles of the Democratic national platform; and Be it further resolved that the Wisconsin delegation to the Democratic National Convention be urged to support the accreditation cf the "Freedom Delegation" as an expression of our support for the principle of one-man one-vote, and to encourage those who are working for voter registration of a disenfranchised Negro minority. (Passed unanimously by voice vote at the Wisconsin State Democratic donvontion, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 20, 1964.

Other resolutions of support have been passed by the New York State Democratic Executive Committee, the Democratic State Convention of Massachusetts, and numerous other smaller party units, including the Denver, Colorado, Democratic Executive Committee and the University of Virginia Young Democrats. July 20, 1961*

TO: SUMMER VOLUNTEERS FROM: JACKSON FDP STAFF

IN COOPERATION WITH THE WASHINGTON FDP OFFICE, WE TflRE TRYING TO ESTABLISH A CHAIN LETTER CAMPAIGN TO DELEGATES FROM VARIOUS STATES. PLEASE HELP]

It works this way:

1) Obtain a list of the names and addresses of the delegates from your state by writing the Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.

2) Write a letter to each delegate from your stat£. It is best to write them by hand, but this isn't crucial. The letter need not be lengthy. You can indicate you are on the summerproject and are seeing the formation of the Party. Then you can simply add a sentence urging them to vote for the ouster of the diaiecratic delegation. Sign your name and address.

3) Write or contact 10 of your friends asking them to write to the delegates and to find 10 more people who will write. h) Make use of the support which has already been declared for the MFDP-- such as resolutions or individuals who have come out publicly for seating.

5) You may also want to direct letters and. ask your friends to direct letters to key politicians in your state. These include the governor and senator if they are Democrats, the ])emocratic State Chairman, mayors of big cities (like Wagner, Daly), the National Committeeman and Committeewoman.

6) Suggest your friends set up tables and booths at shopping centers, movie theatres, college campuses, where people can write and send a letter or postcard. These* people should bo asked +.o eontaet *©n IViends also.

You can help.•••••••• Ij*t7] FOR RELEASE 10:00 AM JULY 27

STATEMENT OF THE FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY

ON SEN. DOUGLAS' COMPROMISE PROPOSALS

Senator Paul Douglas (D-Ill.), in an interview on July 23 on the

CBS radio program "Capitol Cloakroom" offered what he called a "con­ ciliatory suggestion" regarding the seating of rival Mississippi del­ egations at the coming Democratic National Convention in Atlantic

City* Senator Douglas suggested that the National Convention either seat no Mississippi delegation at all, or that a hybrid group be seated - half Dixiecrat, half Freedom Democratic. In our opinion, this proposal fails to deal forthrightly with the real issues facing the I96I4. National Convention, because either course of action represents, at best, a compromise with racism. This sugges­ tion in no way represents the position of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Tho basic reason for the formation of the Mississippi Freedom Dem­ ocratic Party was the need to provide representation for the hundreds of thousands of disenfranchised Negroes in Mississippi.-. Over tho years a combination of discrimination and intimidation has depri^od them of any voice in either the state or national government. To refuse tc seat any delegation would, therefore, be in part to perpetuate the sit­ uation we have organized to combat. As for sharing seats with the ^ixiecrats, wo do not believe that :•. state party whes c Guberaatoriaj. campaign literature states that "•••it long ago separated itself from the National Democratic Party and ... has fought consistently everything both national parties stand for..." deserves even one seat at the National Convention. Nor do wc believe that a systematic denial of civil rights can be half-condemned, half- condoned. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, we are dubious of the value of a delegation that is half slave, half free.

Edwin King Aaron Henry Temporary National Committeeman Temporary State Chairman, Mrs. Victoria Gray Mississippi Freedom Temporary National Committeewoman ucmocrata.c pariy »

MISSISSIPPI'.

HOVJ VXhJ^\iO

DEN^OCftATS BtD

"... We are not allowed to function effectively in Missis- sippi's Traditional Democratic Party; therefore we must find another way to allign ourselves with the National Democratic Party."

This report is a record of events that occurred on June 16, 1964. It is an account of what took place when Negroes for the first time since Reconstruction attempted to participate in the precess of selecting the delegation which will represent Mississippi at the Democratic National Convention in August, 1964.

The story i3 told through their own sworn affidavits. Table of Contents

I. Preface Resolution r. Reports and affidavits Ruleville Greenwood Michael Starr Miss Mary Lane Miss Gwen GilIon Greenville Meridian Robert Lanier Rev. Clemmie Turnipseed Ernest Johnson Philadelphia Ernest Kirkland Canton Mrs. Marion Robinson David Welsh Ja c ks on Mrs. Hendrex--Lois Chaffee Mr. J.B. Herrington Mrs. Hazel Palmer Vioksburg Columbus Hattiesburg Mrs. Peggy Connor Batesville Holmes County III. Conclusion IV, Appendices Resolution supporting Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Report on lawsuit to restrain Miss. Democratic Party ... More than this, however, this report unequivocally substantiates what Negroes have been saying to officials of the national-Democratic Party for years: 1. Mississippi's Traditional Democratic Party is controlled by an unbelievably small number of people. In addition to practically all of the Negro population, an exceedingly large number of whites do not participate in the basic op­ erations of the party. 2. Negroes are discriminated against by Mississippi's Tra­ ditional Democratic Party and are not wanted as members of Mississippi's Traditional Democratic Party and are not per­ mitted to function in the party's operations. 3. Mississippi1s Traditional Democratic Party is opposed to the programs and policies of the National Democratic Party and will not state committedly that they will support the National Party's programs, policies, or more important, presidential and vicepresidential candidates. 4. Officials of Mississippi's Traditional Democratic Party have been very lax in attempting to create a widely based party and in attempting to actively involve as many people in the party's machinery as possible. On August 24, 1964 the Democratic National Convention will convene in the state of New Jersy. The state of Miss­ issippi will send 68 persons to that convention as the dele­ gation for Mississippi's Democratic party. Those 68 persons are to be selected, according to law, in the following man­ ner: The Chairman of the State Democratic Executive Com­ mittee names a date for the holding of "precinct meetings". At these precinct meetings, all qualified electors in the precinct may assemble and elect delegates to the county con­ vention. At the county convention - one week later - de­ legates are elected to attend the state convention. The delegates elected in the 82 county Democratic conventions throughout the state then assemble a week or more later in separate caucuses held in each of the state's five con­ gressional districts. These caucuses then proceed to elect, subject to the approval of the upcoming state convention: four regular delegates and four alternate delegates (rep­ resenting a total of two votes) to the National Democratic Convention. A week or more after the last congressional district caucus is held, the State Democratic Convention is convened in Jackson, the state convention. The conven­ tion, ratifies the earlier election by congressional dis­ trict caucuses of the 40 delegates to the national conven­ tion. The convention also elects delegates to the Democ­ ratic Natinal Convention having a totel remainder of the votes to which the state of Mississippi is entitled. It becomes readily clear that what takes place at the precinct level is basic to the entire process of selecting delegates to the Democratic Party's National Convention . It is at the precinct neetings where persons are chosen to go to the county convention. It is at the precinct meetings '*•-•• where all registered voters who live in a particular pre­ cinct may pe.rticipa.ee in the initial steps of the process that will ultimately select a group of persons who will assist in the selection of persons who will run as Democrats for the offices of president of the United States and Vice President of the United States. Further, it is at the 1. What is a precinct meeting? 2. When is your precinct meeting? 3. What happens at a precinct meeting?

How mu:!- lack of information the people have about precinct meetings is due to a deliberate attempt by officials of Idssissippi's Traditional Democratic Party to keep thorn uninformed can only be speculated on. It can be stated, however, that tho means which are used by idssissippi's Traditional Democratic Partjr to inform the party0s members of the party's operations leave much to be desirod.

On June 16, 196*1-, in response to the request of Negroes to go to the preci­ nct meetings, Negroes did attempt to go. Negroes did not attempt to go to precinct meetings in every community, or city, or even every county. For the most part they went in places where people are located who are interested in replacing idssissippi's Traditional Democratic Party with a Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. It was those people who are attempting to form Idssissippi's Freedom Democratic Party who explained to tho Negro people their rights to participate in precinct meetings if they wore registered and were Demorats. That which follows serves as one of the reasons Negroes in the state are beginning to associate themselves with the Freedom Democratic Party. Every where Negroes went to a precinct meeting they took with them a resolution calling for party loyalty. It reads as follows:

RES0UTI01! CALLING FOR PARTY LOYALTY*

Jhoreas we as Democrats believe that strong political parties are a necessary part of American democracy, and

:. heroes we believe that the National Democratic Party represents the best interests of the majority of the people in idssissippi,

\h therefore resolve that the delegate(s) from this precinct be instructed to go on record, if they are ultimately selected as delegates to the Democratic National Convention, as supporting the party platform and the persons selected to be the party1s candidates.

We further resolve that the delegates from this precinct be instructed to bring before the County Democratic Convention a resolution stating that the County Democratic Party will support the National Democratic Party's nominees and their pledged electors.

The resolution was read in the precinct meetings where Negroes attended and the people attending the meetings were asked to vote on it. *Sce appendix for national resolution. Ruleville, Mississippi

Ruleville, idssissippi is in Sunflower County, the county in which Idssissippi's Senator Eastland has his plantation. Ruleville is also the home of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, the k6 yoar old houseidfo who ran for Congress in the Democratic primary last June. In Ruleville 3 Negroes went to tho place where tho prou-inot mooting should have been hold - the regular polling place. They tried to rpen the door of tho building - tho Community House - but was locked. Next they knocked on the door. No one responded to their knocking. At 10:05p.m. these persons who had gory? to •**!* polling place for a precinct meeting called their otm mooting on <«no lawn in front of tho Community House. They elected two delegates to the Democratic County Convention and passed the resolution supporting party loyalty. Cameramen from tho Columbia Broadcasting System's CBS News were present and filmed the group's activities. A roport of this meeting has been filed with the County Denoomtla EK-oeutive r\>jiirri.t/-«e. The eight persons have all signed sworn at«»' •••»tC8 as to i:hat occurred. Greenwood, Idssissippi

In Greenwood one sees an examplo of deceitfulness manifested by public officials. In Greenwood 11 Negroes asked, city officials whore the precinct meetings would bo held. The city officials told tbem that thoy (the city officials) did not know there they would be held. Eleven Negro registered voters went to the City Hall - their proper voting place. Thoy all arrived before 10:00a.n. - the time designated by lair for procinct meetings to start. Some members of the group wore told by a policeman that there was no precinct meeting, while others xrere told that tho precinct meeting was already over. The group then returned to a site There they*held their own meeting. They elected a chairman, secretary, and a delegate to the Leflore County Convention. They also adopted a resolution calling for Democratic Party loj'alty. The voters were members of the Southeast Ward. One receives a better indication of what took place on reading the signed statoments of two of the persons who went to the precinct meeting. On Tuesday, June 16, 196^ I arrived in Greenwood, Idssissippi to attend and observe a democratic precinct meeting for the Southeast Precinct. It was 0:15a.m. Later, at approximately 9:05, I called the fire house whore the people of the area normally vote, to ask as to the location of the meeting. I was told that no such meeting was planned for the fire house, and that I should call City Hall, thich I did. Thoy informed me that precinct meetings trore scheduled for June 16, but the voice said that the Southeast Precinct had not informed them There their meeting would be. After another inquiry at the fire house, I questioned the voters as to where they had last voted. I was told that in the primary election they voted at City Hall. It was our understanding that the precinct meeting would take place at the normal polling place. At 25 ninutos of ten we loaded the cars and left for City Hall. Tiro blocks before the City Hall I got out, and began to walk toward city hall. I did not enter the building but stood on tho sidewalk about $ block away. I watched the people enter, and when they had all entered I walked once around the block, just in time to see everyone leave. The people arrived at the City Hall at 9s^7 and it was a little after ten when they came out. I met them down the street, about 1 block from the City Hall. They told me that at first the policeman standing inside said there was no meeting. Later a second group was told that the meeting was over. We then returned to the office at 708 Avenue N. I immediately had the people fill out affidavits and then left for the Mayor's office. His secretary told me that there had been a precinct meeting and that it took place at lOsOO O'clock. I received similar information at the newspaper office of the Commonwealth. - Michael F. Starr

I, Mary Lane, along i&th 11 other citizens of Greenwood who all seemed to have lived in the Southeast precinct, went to the City Hall this morning (June 16) for the purpose of attending the precinct meeting to elect delegates to the county convention. We walked into the City Hall about 9 s 50 around to the watch that Gwend lyn Gillon had on her arm. We walked up to a city officer that was standing in the hallway and asked him if he knew where the preoinct meeting was being held. He replied he didn't know. Then we told him we had called earlier, and the meeting was supposed to have been held there at the Cit" Hall, but wo didn't know what room. There were 2 local citizens standing to the side talking, and one of them replied the meeting was over with. Glenn said the meeting wasn't suppose to start nnt.n 10^00. The officer then said ;,He said the meeting was over.. '••' -4fary TV no I went to the City Hall in Greenwood, Mississippi along with a group of registered voters and a few citizens who had attempted to register but hadn't succossed heretofore. We arrived at City Hall and went in. On the inside I asked a policeman who?-: was the precinct meeting to be held at, (meaning what part of the building). He told me there wasn't a precinct meeting. I told him the preceint was suppose to be held here to­ day. He again said there wan't a precinct meeting being held there. Later after I asked him again a white man was standing in front of the coke machine heard me ask again about the meeting and he said the meeting just adjorned. I said the meeting was suppose to start at lOsOO so he and the policeman answered and said, ::He said that the meeting is adjorned.:; The group that was in with me and I left. As we were leaving the second group went in to inquire about the meeting. My watch had 5 minutes aftor 10 when we left. I observed about 6 white people in the bhilding and after I came out some of these six came out too. - Gwendolyn Gillon

Greenville, Mississippi

In Greonvil^, Mississippi, Negroes went to four precinct meetings. In one precinct the resolution pledging the precinct delegates to support the platform and the party's nominees at the National Convention was unamimously approved by the white and Negro people present. In procinct 5 only 11 whites were present; in precinct 9» thirteen;; in precinct 3» only four (the precinct where the resolution passed). Greenville is considered to be a moderate city in regard to race rolations. It was felt that Negroes would be allowed to participate. Negroes were askod to go to the Greenville meetings not so much to point out that discrimination existed but to show the National Democratic Party that where Negroes are allowed to participate, they will participate. It is significant to add that the resolution adopted in precinct 3 was introduced by a Negro and supported by the four whites at the meeting. Lastly, it must bo remembered that Greenville is about as representative of Mississippi in regard to race relations as a rose in a weed patch.

Meridian, Mississippi

It was felt that Negroes would be allowed to participate \n the precinct meetings in Merdian, but such was not the case. Notarized affidavits were signed by the following people. They are adequate to report the story. I am a resident of the 8th Precinct of the City of Meridian, State of Idssissippi. At about 9s30a.m. I and Mrs. Leona Griggs, also a resident of Precinct 8, wont to Chalk School, at 39th Ave. and 7th St., in Meridian, which was the place at which the 8th Precinct meeting was scheduled. As we approached the school £ white lady inside the school shouted through the closed doors :iWe can't open the door. They called down and told us not to open the door. There are no precinct meetings here. We don't know anything about any precinct meetings/3 We thanked her and said we would wait for a while. Just after this, a man who identified himself as Mr. Simms, a white man, told us that there would be a mooting oomfrwhere in tlio building that day. We then waited for about half an hour. Daring that time, ^u^or white men came and waited outside the building. At about 10:15 an un- uniformed man drove up on Sherriff's car No. 2, blew the horn and called for Bill Smith, one of the white mon waiting outsido the building. Mr* Smith wont over to the Sherriff's car, talked for awahilo, and then then both got out and waited with the other group of whites. Then a man drove up, got out of the car, announced to the group that he was Precinct^ Vice Chariman, pointed to tho door and said :'The meeting will bo hold inside.:' Mrs. Griggs and I started toward the door. As we were walking toward the Meridian, continuod

door, tho Precinct Vice Chairman motioned with His hand for the white group to come over under one of the trees on the lawn. Wo also started for the tree. As we approached, I heard tho Precinct Vice Chairman say that ho alroady had appointed a secretary and a state of dologatos. Thon ho said, "That's all folks. Soo you in four years.;' Mrs. Griggs and I felt that wc couldn't do anything else, so we left.

Robert Lanier

From Rov, Clemmio Turnipsoed; Being a registorcd voter in tho 7th Procinct of Moridian, I arrived at City Hall with Miss Margie Ann Hubbard, also a rogistorod voter inttho 7th Procinct, for tho lawfully-dosignatod Domocratic Procinct mooting. There was no one at tho polling place, which is tho hall on tho first floor. There was no ono thoro. A policeman whom wo asked told us the meeting would bo held in oither tho Courtroom or tho City Auditorium on tho third floor, I looked a socond timo into tho Courtroom aftor the policemen told us this. Then wc went up to tho third floor—Miss Hubbard and I—and took scats. Wc waited a while. At about 10 a.m. I was designated permanent chairman by the mooting, which consisted of the two of us. There was no ono else present at this time and no one had stopped in. But sinco the law requires that tho mooting be hold at this time and place,, we held the meeting ourselves. Wo passod the attached resolution pledging loyalty to tho nominees and platform of tho national Domocratic Party, Then wc olocted ourselves, Miss Hubbard and myself, procinct delegates to the county convention of the Democratic Party for Lauderdale County. Wo will attend the official county convention if pormitted in tho meeting place. To the best of my knowledgo this is tho first time Negroes havo over attonded a procinct meeting of the Democratic Party in the City of Meridian. I boliovc the officials of the Democratic Party in Lauderdale County never intended to hold a duly constituted procinct mooting, Ono whito man entered just after wo finished the meeting. He looked around, then loft immediately.

Clommie Turnipseed

From Mrs, Joannotte Conloy; I am a rogistored voter residing in Precinct 9. In Precinct 9* precinct meetings are hold at Oakland Heights School. I arrivod at Oakland Heights School at 9 .'35 a.m., , with tho intention of attending the procinct meeting scheduled to be hold there. I waited in my car. During that time sovoral people arrivod and went into tho building. At 10°00 a.m. sovoral men had gethered on tho edgo of the sidewalk about fifth feet from my car. They talked among themselves and often glancod in my direction. When this group started into tho school I followed them at a distance of approximately forty or fifty foot, 'hen I got inside the door, the group of men had disappeared a-id I couldn't find them, I didn't see anyono but one white lady. I asked, :'Whero's the precinct meeting being held?" She said she was the principal of the school and she didn-t know anything about tho meeting. She said the people who usually camo to precinct meetings vreren't thore today. I asked -Where do they uaually hold the moeting?:' She said in tho auditorium. She opondd tho door to a large room, which was empty, There were four fold-up wooden chairs stacked on the stage. She said four or five times that she didn't know anything about the meeting, that she had not hoard anything about it and was not involvod. I saw somoono peep around a corner at me. Since I was the Only Negro there, I felt that it was best that I leave I thanked the lady and left without having attended the mooting or having been able to find where the people woro.

Joannotte Conley Meridian. continued

From Ernest S. Johnson- At about 9'-35 P«m» tho undersigned did appear at Witherspoon School at Meridian, Miss.. Precinct 6„ The visit was made for the purpose of attending a mooting of the 6th procinct of the Domocratic Party of Meridian, Although tho law requires that precinct meetings be held in polling placos throughout tho state and such was published in the paper, when the scheduled time of 10 a.m. arrived, there was no ono but myself and ono white man who did not respond to my efforts at communication. At 10:: 15, after waiting 15 minutos after tho appointed hour for the meeting to start, I loft the spot outside thw polling place where we had been waiting, as the doors to tho pooling place were locked (it was a classroom). I checked the firehouso, thinking it might be there. Then I returned to the cafetoria and tho janitor told mo that the white man left word for me that they had held a mooting before we arrived. By :,they'' I thought he meant members of the precinct, but I don't believe any meeting was hold there boforo we arreived, and anyway I was thoro at the appoin­ ted time and no one else was. I believe tho white man was there as a decoy. In tho cafeteria L as a registered voter in the precinct, hold a meeting. I elected myself permanent chairman, then I presented the resolution pledging loyalty to the national Democratic Party nominees and platform (the janitor vras witness), then I elected myself delegate from the 6th precinct to the Lauderdale County Domocratic convention.

Ernest S. Johnson

Philadelphia. Mississippi

There was an attempt made to got Negroes to attend a precinct meeting in Neshoba County. Mississippi. Some said thoy would. However, they didn't. Why they did not is explained in a notarized affidavit signed by three of the twelve registered Nogro voters in the county.

E nest Kirkland

I am a resident of Precinct k in Neshoba County, Mississippi. I have attended C0F0 workshops in voter registration and precinct challenge. Three of us were going to make the procinct challenge. After the procinct challongo workshop, held that night (Juno 15, 196^)5 a group of us discussed our plans for attending the procinct mooting today, Juno 16, 196^. At that mooting my uncle statod that to his knowledge nows had leaked out that members of the Nogro community wore planning to attend tho pre­ cinct meeting in Neshoba for the first time. He stated his opinion that reprisals from the white community would be so severe that it was bost not to go. He said that to his knowledge monbors of the white community wore preparing to forestall any attempts by Negroes to attend Precinct Meetings, and that it was his opinion that conditions in Neshoba County wore such that it was impossible for Negroes to make the attempt to attend procinct meetings without sufforing great economic and physical harm in attending. For the above roasons, I decided that I could not take the risk of attending, Ernest Kirkland Canton, Mississippi Activities in Canton surprised no one. Canton has been the focal point in the last fev; months of much racial unrest, as Negroes are beginning to demend their rights and better treatment. The Canton story can also be told through two notarized affidavits. By Mrs. Marion Robinson: Mr. Henry Turner and I went to the Old Veterans Home to attend the precinct meeting and when we arrived there, we walked up to the door and tried to enter, but the door was locked. We then re­ turned to the sidewalk and stood there waiting to see if there was going to be a precinct meeting held in the Old veterans Home. We then left and stood on the corner from the Old Veterans Home. I personally went across the street and asked Dan Thompson (Chief of Police), did he know where the precinct meeting vras being held. He answered, "No", I then walked back to the Old Veterans Home. Gus Noble and John Chance were going to the Old Veterans Home, and I asked Gus Noble if there was going to be a precinct meeting held, and he said "yes". I asked him the time; he told me about 10:00. I then walked up to the door and talked with Mr, John Chance. I asked him when was the meeting going to be and he said it was over. At that time I went to the Courthouse because someone said the meeting was going to be held at the Courthouse. When we got inside we looked in every room in the Courthouse to see where the meeting was going to be held. I.then talked with Mr. Poote Campbell and showed him some newspaper clippings. He said he had also seen the clippings, but didn't know anything about it. we were then told to wait outside. We went back to the Old Veterans Home and held our own precinct meeting. Mrs. Marion Robinson By David Welsh: I was in Canton as a reporter for the Civil Rights Information Service, Chicago; jet Magazine, Chicago; and Washington Star, DC. I was in front of the old Veterans Home on Union Street, polling place for the west precinct, and designated place for the meeting of the Democratic party for that precinct, from 9:30 a.m. until afterll a.m. on June 16. Precinct meetings throughout the state were scheduled for 10 a.m. on that date. The West precinct, pre­ dominantly Negro, is one of three precincts in Canton. The building was looked at 9:30 a.m. and remained so until I left after 11 a.m., except for two times. The first time, a black Cadillac sedan pulled up carrying five men. Two of them in bldck suite, one of whom was identified by four bystanders as Earl Evans, Jr., of Canton, state senator from Madison County. The two men identified themselves as members of the governor'3 staff. They unlocked the door of the Veterans Home, went in, and came out not more than five minutes later, climbing back in the car and driving off. After they had left, two men, identified by four bystanders as Gus Noble, either president or immediate past president of the local Citizens' Council, and John Chance, a plainclothes policeman, entered the building, stayed not more than five minutes and left. Evans and his companion entered between 10 and 10:30; Noble and Chance entered at 10:30 a.m. Canton, continued At 9:50 a.m., eight Negroes who showed me their credentials as registered voters in that precinct, arrived at the meeting place to take part in the meeting. They were U.J. Ward, a retired interior decorator; J.T. Wilson, JR., unemployed; Charlie PUrnell, a student at Jackson State College; Ira Garrett, a self-employed carpenter; W.M. McCloud, a minister; Mrs. Marion Robinson, house­ wife; Henry Turner, an employe in a casket facotry; and James Sanders, a factory worker. They attempted to gain admittance to the meeting place, but it vras locked. I heard Mrs. Robinson ask Gus Noble if this were the right place. Noble replied that it was. A few minutes later, she asked John Chance the same ques­ tion, toho told her the meeting was all over. Mrs. Robinson drew blank stares when 3he produced newspaper clippings saying that the precinct meetings were to be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the regular polling place for each precinct. After Chance and Noble left, the eight Negroes held their own precinct meeting on the sidewalk, and elected the Rev. McCloud "as delegate to the county convention of the Democratic Party, and elected Henry Turner as alternate. The vote in both cases was 8-0. The temporary chairman of the North precinct of Canton, Nelson Cauthen, an attorney (white), said he thought the mayor of Canton, L. Stanley Matthews, was temporary chairman of the west precinct, where the above incidents took place. Mayor Matthews lives at 467 North Liberty St. Cauthen said the mayor was also the chair­ man of the Madison County Democratic Executive Committee. The mayor refused to talk with me. David P. Welsh

JACKSON The story in Jackson is pretty clear as seen in the affidavits. Mrs. Naomi Terrell Hendrex and Miss Lois Chaffee reported on the meeting in Precinct 43: We arrived at the Continental Trailvrays Garage on Highway 80, polling place for Precinct 43, shortly before 10:00. The meeting had not yet begun. We were greeted without any particular reac­ tion from the white people already there. There were about 25 white people present. The man at the door (a Mr. Howell) inspec­ ted our receipts. He told Mrs. Carrie Benson, who came in our car, that she could not come in because she is registered in Precinct 47. There was another Negro man who was refused, but we did not hear them explain the reason. The rest of us were admitted if our receipts were proper. When the meeting began there were 29 people in the room, five of them Negroes. Mr. Ford introduced himself as the temporary chairman. Somebody moved that we elect a permanent chairman, and he vras elected without opposition. Then Mr. Ford suggested a secretary, and someone nominated a Mr. Carpenter, who was elected without oppo­ sition. Mr. Ford explained that, to save time, he had asked three people (the preoinot has three voten) if t-b^y oonld serve Jackson, continued as delegates. He said that the precinct had a shortage of dele­ gates, and that it would be better to send three delegates with whole votes and three alternates than to split the votes into half-votes. The meeting voted to send three delegates with whole votes and three alternates. Then Mr. Ford read off the names of three people whom he recommended and who had agreed to serve. Rev. Smith, one of the Negroes present, asked about other nomi­ nations. From this point on the meeting was noisy and the chair­ man wa3 usually talking to somebody privately; therefore it was hard to get his attention. Mr. Ford said that other nominations weren't necessary, and suggested that the matter of further nom­ inations be put to a vote. Several people at the meeting (white), however, said that anybody could be nominated from the floor, so the chairman didn't bring it to a vote. Rev. Smith nominated Mrs. Mary Thomas, 1429 Jones St., Jackson. Mr'. Ford began tearing up pieces of paper for ballots and appeared not hear much of what vras addressed to him consequently. He announced tfoat the people should vote by writing the names of the three people they wanted as delegates. We tried to protest, saying that the people should vote for one, and the three with the most votes would be the delegates, but he did not listen, insisting that "this is the way we're going to do it" and never allowed the body to vote on how they wanted to vote. He was arbitrary in this respect. Furthermore, in the exchanges about nominees and how to vote, he was decidedly patronizing in his conversation with Negroes ("What's on your mind, R.L.?" was one thing he said to Rev. Smith.), in contrast to everyone's earlier cordiality. The three white nominees were elected: Mr. Howell, Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. Daniels.

Then the alternates were elected by the same procedure. Mr1. Ford recommended three people: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Riffey and Mr. Matthews. Rev. Smith nominated Mrs. Naomi Terrell (person making this report), without opposition this time. The three recommen­ ded by the chairman were elected. During the time the ballots for alternate delegate were being counted (by two white ladies, with Mr. Carpenter, the secretary, looking on), Miss Lois Chaffee (also making the report) asked the Chairman, after several attempts to get his attention, if it would be in order to introduce a resolution. Mr. Ford said no, that the only business he would permit at the meeting was the election of delegates. However, after the alternates were an­ nounced, Rev. Smith, simply by talking louder than everybody else (the meeting was at all times noisy), asked about the resolution and several of the white peoy*« »»* *HO meeting insin ted that he be allowed to read 1*- »** clld* and as soon aa 1)Q was finisho-d, BOMBVU* muvea to adjourn. We all objected, and some white people did, too, although Mr. Ford declared the motion to adjourn in order and asked for a second. When the people objected, however, he allowed the resolution (dealing with the aiipprvrt of pledged Democratic electors) to be moved and. seconded. Then Mr. iiuwell, one of the delegates just elected, moved that the resolution be tabled, and Mr. Ford did not allow any appeal from this. We started to leave, and he called us back and said he had decided to have a vote on the motion to table. It Jackson, continued passed, 24-6 (I suppose; they all voted for it and we all voted against it); then he insisted on calling a vote on the motion to adjourn, which also passed. Rev. Smith vras ira-te about the resolu­ tion not being brought to «i vote, and Mrs. Thomas was irate about the general brushing side the Negro participants. We all went home in three groups. The secretary never recorded the resolution. Lois Chaffee Mrs. Naomi Terrell Hendrex

An unsigned report from Mr. J.D. Harrington: V/e went to a precinct meeting in a plumbing shop on Delta Drive-- the polling place for Precinct 24. There were about 10 Negroes in our group. We arrived ten minutes early, add found four white ladies. At ten the lady in charge said, "Come on, girls, let's get started", and went into another room. We Negroes followed, though not invited. The ladies seemed to be following a memorandum from the County Democratic Executive Committee rather closely, but they did not seem to be very familiar with the procedure they were sup­ posed to follow. The Negro participants insisted on an election of a permanent chairman, and the Negro candidate, Mr. J.D. Harrington was elected 10-4. Mrs. J.C. Black, the temporary chairman, then surrendered the meeting to Mr. Harrington. At the beginning of the meeting, and throughout, however, the ladies asked for recesses so that they could make telephone calls. We decided that this was not proper after the meeting had begun. Mr. Harrington (myself) conducted the election of delegates: the precinct has 299 voters who voted in the last federal election, one short of the quota which would allow for two delegates. So the precinct was allowed only one voting delegate, but we decided to split thevote and we elected two delegates, each with a half-vote and two alternates. The Negro majority and the white minority elected one Negro and one white delegate. The delegates elected are: Mrs. J.C. Black and Mr. J.D. Harrington The alternates were similarly elected. Those elected weee Mrs. James W.H. Sutton and Mr. Percy Chapman. The Chairman, Mr. Harrington, and the Secretary, Miss Ineve May, filled out the affidavit form prescribed by the CDED, informing the County Democratic Executive Committee of the selection of dele­ gates and they mailed it to the Chairman of the CDEC.i There vras no action taken on the loyalty resolution because every­ body forgot. Jackson, continued From Mrs. Hazel T. Palmer Mrs. Navy Tyler, Mrs. Ninnie Benson and I, M©s. Palmer, arrived at the precinct meeting for precinct 23 approximately at 9:55 a.m. The meeting geban at 10:00 a,m. Mr. Smith was elected permanent chairman and Mrs. B.R. Norman was elected permanent secretary. Precinct 23 has only one vote which is split in half. Therefore 2 delegates were to be elected having a half vote each, with two alternates. Mrs. Benson nominated Mrs. Palmer as a delegate to' the county convention. The other nominees were Mr. L.L. Polly, Mr. Smith and Mr. Sullivan. We had secret ballots. The results were Mr. Polly-26, Mrs. Palmer-4, Mr. Smith- 25, Mr. sullivan-11. Mr. Polly and Mr. Smith were elected the delegates to the county convention, people were then nominated as alternates. Mrs. Ninnie Benson, Mr. McCory, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Hill were nominated. The results were Mrs. Benson~3, Mr. McCory-24, Mr. Sullivan-15 and Mr. Hill 22. Mr. McCory and Mr. Hill were elec-1 ted as alternates to the county convention.

/Mrs. Palmer read a resolution calling for party loyalty f rom precinct /23 to the National Democratic Convection. She made a mot ion that /this resolution be adopted. Mrs. Tyler seconded the moti on. The /house was opened for discussion. One white man made the statement /thet precinct 23 could not afford to accept this resoluti on because /it would mean that the precinct would have to support the Democratic ./Party no matter hov; it goes. With the situation as it is now, he /stated, the precinct should vote no on this resolution, Another /man said "amen". Mrs. Palmer asked the chairman to call for a vote. /The vote was called for. The results were 3 for the reso lution and /28 against. Someone moved that the precinct meeting be adjourned and the chairman adjourned the meeting. Hazel T. Palmer Negroes also went to meetings in precincts 22, 4, and 41. Vicksburg In Jonestown precinct three Negroes, Mr. and Mrs. Pink Taylor and Mr. Frank Crumm were allowed to participate but were not allowed to bring nominations from the floor. Columbus Negroes attended two precinct meetings, but were prevented from nominating delegates or proposing the resolution.

Hattiesburg ITrom Mrs. Peggy Jean Connor: I, Mrs. Peggy Jean Gould Connor, do swear and depose and say that on June 16, 1964, I went to the Library for the precinct convention with seven other Negro registered voters. When we arrived at ten o'clock, there were three whites there. At about five minutes after ten, the acting chairman of the convention Hattiesburg, continued. came and asked U3 our names. He wanted to check and see if we were registered voters. He took all of our names and he called the cir­ cuit clerk's office (Mr. Lynd) and he told us it would take about fifteen minutes to check. We all had our registration cards, and asked why it would take 15 minutes to check when we all had our cards and were registered voters. He said it was just the procedures. In the meantime, we saw him dialing different numbers; calling white people to the meeting. Every now and then he would come back and tell us it would take a little longer than he thought. At 10:45 he came and told us that just I could take part, but all the others could observe. The reason just I could take part was I had paid two years pack poll tax. We questioned our having to have poll tax receipts, and he said that the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi said that that vras the law. By this time about seven whites had shown up, and the meeting started, I asked the chairman if he was going to check the whites to see if th y had paid their poll tax for two years, and he said he wasn 't. One lady named Mr. George Currie as chairman, in his absence. I ques­ tioned nominating him in his absence. She said he'd worked with the precinct for years, and he always acted as chairman and sht thought it would be good to have him. I said that you couldn't nominate a person to act as chairman when he was not there, and what need was there to nominate a person to act as chairman if he's not even going to be there. So the acting chair­ man said that was right, you couldn't nominate him in his absence. So they nominated the acting chairman, Mr. John Wallace, as chairman. They nominated Mr. Claude Sarphie as secretary. They were just nomi­ nated and seconded, and voted in by "ayes". After they elected the secretary, I told bhem I would like to intro­ duce a resolution. I read it, and before I could finish explaining it to them, the chairman interrupted and said it wasn't necessary to vote or even discuss the resolution because it pertained to the National Democratic Party and they were concerned with the Mississippi Democratic party. I asked them how they could say they weren't in­ terested in the Natinaal Democratic Party when they were part of the .. National Democratic Party. They said they didn't know what the plat­ form would be and who the nominee for president would be because President Johnson is in ill health, and so they didn't need to adopt the resolution of loyalty to the National Democratic Party because cbey would be going into it blindfolded, and the state officials al­ ready decided what was best for the state. And then I asked if the state officials told the people what to do, or are we supposed to tell them, aa the taxpayers and citizens of the state. A lady there said the state officials were not working for the people, they were working with the people. And I said, "Well, who i pays them?" Hattiesburg, continued And I also tried to explain tothem how important the precinct meeting was and that we were the beginning of the convention and that it was important that we speak out on the precinct level so thaywhen it gets to the county and district and state level they would know how the people felt from the lower levels. So the chairman cut the discussion off and brought it to a vote. By this time 15 whites had gotten there, and so the vote was one for, and 15 against. Then they elected their delegates. The chairman said thelibrary pre­ cinct had only two delegates because they count one delegate for every 50 who voted in the last presidential election. So there must not have been but 100 to vote last presidential election. But they elec­ ted three. One fellow said, "Well, I think we should have three." They didn't say anything about alternates or split votes. After they elected the three delegates, the chairman asked that some one move that the meeting come to a close. Mrs. Peggy Jean Gould Connor Some comments on this account: The Chatrman of the State Democratic Executive Committee Chairman had stated previously that the only requirements to participate in the precinct meeting would be: residence in the precinct and being a registered voter. Moreover white people were not asked for receipts. State law stipulates only one thing about the manner of voting for precinct delegates: that it be by secret ballot.

In Walthal precinct nine Negroes attended the meeting. One non-i-«b. tered voter was not permitted to observe. No Negroes were permitted to tally the votes, although they were permitted to vote. The reso­ lution was tabled.

Batesville West Butesville: At 10:00 a.m., 12 Negroes arrived at the polling place for the precinct meeting. There were only three whites present at the meeting. The meeting did not start at 10:00 as the lav/ stipu- lates. White people stalled the meeting until someone got more white people to come to the meeting. At 10:20 the Negroes were outnumbered 15-12 and the meeting be$an. East Batesville: One Negro attended the meeting at which there were five whites. He nominated no one, but was permitted to vote. After the voting he introduced the resolution of support for the Democratic Party's national candidates. The chairman said that they were all in accord, but there was no need to vote on it Courtland: Eight Nagroes arrived at the polling place shortly before 10:00 a.m. There vras no meeting, nor did anyone in the area know about any meeting. Shortly thereafter they went down to the post office and were told that the meetings were not uaually held. Holmes County Thornton: Precinct 4. Voters arrived at 9:45 a.m. and remained until 11:00 a.m. They were told by several persons, including the Postmas­ ter that they did not know anything about "any precinct meeting". ' The voters then returned to their citizenship school and held their own election of delegates to the county convention. Tchula: Precinct 5. Voters arrived at 9:55 and were not immediately excluded. The meeting started at 10:45. The Negroes were asked what they wanted. They replied that they came to vote for delegates to the County Democratic Convention. They were then told that the committee did not have their names, therefore, they would have to be excluded from the meeting unless they could show proof (of registra­ tion?) acceptable to the committee. The Negroes then left, returned to their citizenship school, held a meeting and elected a delegate to the county convention.

Conclusion That Negroes are seeking to form a Freedom Democratic Party becomes somewhat understandable. It is generally known that Negroes aee not wanted in Mississippi politics. The reaction to Negroes at the pre cinct meetings is really not surprising to anyone familiar with the Mississippi way of treating Negroes. What did cause surprise was the revelation fco the Negroes who atten­ ded' the meetings) that whites do not attend the meetings except in token numbers, and that the delegates who are selected are predeter­ mined choices and the voters attending the meeting do not really elect anyone--they ratify choices made by others. The attempt by Negroes to participate in the precinct meetings is causing officials of the party to take some interest in the working organization of their party for the first time. This has been borne out in conversations with officials of the party and statements they have made concerning the attendance of Negroes at the precinct mee­ tings. An interesting comment on the attempt of Negroes to attend the prec­ inct meetings appeared in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger on June 18. in a column written by Charles M. Hills. Hills writes: Three little white women manned a precinct in Jackson Tues­ day. At least a dozen Negroes appeared to vote. No white men. Those white women didn't budge. They stood in for an elec­ tion and even though far outnumbered, they took two elective posts, the Negroes getting only, despite their majority. We have always heard that Southern white women played an enormous role in the Civil War. Looks like they still do ... . Mr. Hills is mistaken on two minor points and one major one. First of all, there fere four "little white women" and secondly two Negroes Jffs well as two whites were elected as delegates and alternated: one Nagro as an alternate and one Negro.having half a vote, one white as an alternate and one white having half a vote. (He refers to Precinct 24, reported earlier in more 'detail.) The major point Mr. Hills missed is that his "little white women" took nothing. They were voted democratically to be delegates to the county convention by Negroes (under the gavel of a Negro chair­ man) who are not trying to replace a white segregationist Democratic Party with a balck one, but attempting to replace a white segrega­ tionist Democratic Party with a democratic Democratic Party involving anyone who wants to participate and become a party member. The Freedom Democratic Party is going to held its own precinct meetings in the next few weeks. The doors will be open to all, the meetings will be adequately publicized and honestly conducted. Hopefully it will be possible to build a truly integrated grass roots Democratic Party in Mississippi.

Appendices Attached to this report are two documents relevant to the Freedom Democratic Party: 1. a copy of the resolution used by out of state groups to indicate their support for the Freedom Democratic Party's plan to unseat the Traditional Democratic Party's delegation at the National Democratic Convention. The resolution has been passed notably by the Califor­ nia Democratic Councils and the Michigan State Democratic Convention. Under this resolution, the Michigan delegation is pledged to support the Freedom Democratic Party of Mississippi. 2. a short description of the suit entered by some Mississippi Freedom Democrats to obtain a statewide order permitting Negroes to register to vote, and to have the unpledged elector plan declared unconstitutional. .

Report on Suite for Voting and Political Party Rights

For some years now the civil rights groups have been working to encourage Negroes to register to vote, and more recently the Mississip­ pi Freedom Democratic Party has encouraged Negroes all over the state of Mississippi to exercise their fundamental political rights as Democrats by attempting to participate in the recent precinct elec­ tions. In coordination with these efforts a far-reaching auit has been brought to secure these ends in the Courts. The suit, filed in the United States District Court, is brought by eleven citizens of the State of Mississippi on behalf of themselves and all other citizens, Negro and white, of Mississippi. There are three kinds of plaintiffs: 1. persons who have attempted to participate in Democratic Party party politics in Mississippi, such as running for public office as Democrats; 2. persons who are qualified potential voters, and who have attempted to register to vote, but who have been rejected; 3. persons who are registered voters, but who charge that their votes are meaningless because so many others of their class have been denied registration that their votes do not count for much, and because the Democratic Party of Mississippi is planning to remove all democratic choice from the ballot in the coming presidential election. The suit is brought against the State of Mississippi, several of its rchief officials, including the governor, secretary of state and attor­ ney general. All the officials of the Mississippi Democratic Party are defendants, and so are all of the state's voting registrars. The plaintiffs ask the Court for two main things: 1. an order compelling the registrars of voters to register Negro applicants by the same standards under which most white voters were registered prior to 1954 (when the registration laws were changed) . and subsequently. These standards would not include the literacy, good moral character and constitutional interpretation tests. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court recently gave such an order to the registrar of Panola County; this suit seeks to make an order like this apply to all Mississippi registrars. 2. The suit farther seeks to upset the hold that a small minor­ ity of politicians holds on the Democratic party machinery in Missis­ sippi. The plaintiffs contend that the recont law pertaining to an unpledged slate of electors in a presidential election denies to them their fundamental rights to vote for the candidate of their choice. They further seek to have the people presently in control of the state branch of the National Democratic Party surrender the use of the namfe "Democrats" as long as they do not subscribe to the national platform or support the Nation?)l Democratic candidates for president and vice president. Resolution on Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

WHEREAS: the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi is undemocratically constituted in that is discriminates against large numbers of citizens; and WHEREAS: the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi does not support the platform and policies of the National Democratic Party and often asserts that it is not a part of the National Democratic Party; and WHER -AS;, a Freedom Democratic Party is being established in the State of Mississippi which is open to all citizens regardless of race and which will support the national platform and candidates; and WHER 'AS: the Freedom Democratic Party plans to seek to be seated in place of the delegation from the traditional Demo­ cratic Party of Mississippi at the 1964 Democratic National Convention; Now therefore, be it RESOLVED.- that this Convention instruct its delegation at the forthcoming national convention to take all appropriate action to seat the delegates from the Freedom Democratic Party of Mississippi, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED- that this same policy applies to other states in which challenges by similar representative and loyal groups of Democrats may develop, and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: that copies of this resolution be sent to Chairman John Bailey, members of the "Democratic > National Committee and State Chairmen. Democratic Party State Convention June 12-13, 1964 Lansing, Michigan •.••'••

MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATS

AND ; • - •*THE 196U DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION . Wednesday, August 19: Three busloads of FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY delegates and alternates left from the Pratt Memorial Methodist Church in Jackson, bound for Atlantic City, amidst crowds of freedom-singing well-wishers.

• - Friday, August 21t FREEDOM DEMOCRATS arrive at their Atlantic City headquarters, the Gem Hotel. • Saturday, August 221 The integrated FREEDOM DEMOCRATS and the segregated Mississippi regulars were each given one hour to present their cases before the Credentials Committee of the Convention. Under the leadership of Credentials Committee member and Washington, D.C. attorney Joseph Rauh, FREEDOM DEMOCRATS told of the brutal and systematic denial of Negro political rights in Mississippi. Among those testifying were Dr. Aaron Henry, Clarksdale, FDP delegation chairman; Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, Fuleville, FDP delegation vice-chairman; the Reverend Edwin King, Tougaloo, FDP National Committeemanj the Reverend Martin Luther King, SCLC; RoyWilkins, NAACP; James Farmer, CORE, and Mrs. Michael Schwerner. Their testimony was a chronicle of the beatings, economic harassment, official intimidation, and murder that come to the Mississippi Negro who attempts to become a voter and participate in the Democratic Party in this state. State Senator J. C. Collins, Laurel, attempted to defend * - the-ell-white delegation. Dollins, the new Mississippi Democratic Party State Chairman, said Negroes are "absolutely free'1 to take part in party affairs in Mississippi, including selection of delegates to the National Convention. "Categorically, I assure you that Negroes did attend precinct meetings," Mr. Johnson said, saying nothing of the discrimination those Negroes met at the meetings of the segregationist party. The Credentials Committee hearing, and the testimony of FREB30M delegates and supporters, were carried on nationwide television and radio, as were interviews with such FREEDOM DEMOCRATS as James Travis, Jackson, and Mrs. Dona Moses.

• Sunday, August 23: The Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention was unable to reach a decision over whom to seat as ' the national party's delegates from Mississippi, the segregated regulars or the integrated FREEDOM DEMOCRATS. A subcommittee made up of delegates from Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia, Texas and Iowa, was appointed to consider the Mississippi situation and report back to the full committee. Credentials Committee Chairman Governor David Lawrence of Pennsylvania ignored reporters' questioning of whether the FDP ctuld take the seats of Mississippi regulars who refused to sign a standard pledge of loyalty t» the national party and its candidates. •

Monday, August 2ki The Convention officially opaned, and the New York Times commented, "Almost up to the opening gavel it appeared that the keynote address might be overshadowed by a battle between two ; delegations seeking accreditation from Mississippi." In order to prevent the decision being made by individual delegates in i an open floor debate, Governor Lawrence postponed the final report • yet one more day. "Spectator" seats were made available to both the segregated party and the FREEDOM DEMOCRATS. Neither group

yet hAd th« off5t**»l -r-itftio u- v>..f,n,y M.i.'rf«"'m^ N pouta. Tuesday, August 2$t The Mississippi regulars withdrew from the Democratic National Convention after a "compromise" was announced that would seat all of the all-white delegation plus Dr. Aaron Henry and the Reverend Edwin King of the FREEDOM DEMOCRATS. Only 3 members of the segregated delegation signed a party l'tyalty oath and took seats on the floor. Dr. Henry and the Reverend King, who had status as "delegates-at-large" first took seats on the floor with the Alaska delegation, upon invitation from that state. Less than an hour later, five FREEDOM delegates appeared with official badges to take seats in the Mississippi section. The three members of the white delegation then left, meaning that the only Mississippians at the Democratic National Convention from the time the platform was read through the nomination of the candidates to the close of the Convention were FREEDOM DEMOCRATS. During most of the reading of the platform, the eye of the nation was focused on the FREEDOM DEMOCRATS, as reporters and cameramen flocked around the Mississippi section to find 21 FREEDOM DEMOCRATS in the seats. Americans in 50 states heard FREEDOM delegate Mrs. Hazel • - * Palmer of Jackson singing "We Shall Overcome" from her place in the heart of the Mississippi seats, amid shouts of "Freedom Now" from other parts of Convention Hallj Negro and white delegates from all parts of the nation came to congratulate their FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC friends in the Mississippi seats. Only three days before, a Credentials Committee witness had said of Mississippi that no other state has gone "to such lengths" to force Negro citizens to sacrifice their rights and responsibilities as American citizens. In addition to the seating decisions, the Credentials Committee "compromise" provided that the call to the 1968 Conven­ tion would insure selection of delegates without racial discrimination; a special committee is to be appointed to assure the non-discrimination ruling is obeyed. According to the New York Times, Governor Lawrence "called the decision a 'turning point' in the history of the Democratic Party, which for most of its history has been profoundly influenced by all- white delegations from the Southern states." Mississippi Governor Paul Johnson came on Mississippi television to say, "Mississippi's debt to the national Democratic party is now paid in full...," His talk was paid for by the "Southern Committee to Help Elect the Next President of the United States," a group originally formed to aid Alabama Governor George Wallace's Presidential primary campaigns, and which is now reported to be working to help right-wing Republican candidate Senator Barry Goldwater. After Governor Johnson's televised statement, former Governor Ross Barnett issued a statement saying that the Governor had "formally and finally severed relations between Mississippi and the national Democratic Party." The final words of the all-white Mississippi regular dele­ gation were, "The Mississippi Democratic delegation did not leave the national Democratic Party; it left us."

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frK»l(l(lliHH»ltt!ia0)j|)(t Qj'¥j Position Papor: 1 For discussion at District Meetings, Sopt. 20, Reasons for tho rejection of the Compromise at Atlantic City: 1. Supporters of tho compromiso argued that tho two scats would havo great symbolic valuo. But 68 symbols would have boon a lot better than two. Wo mist stop playing the game of accepting token recognition for real change and of allowing the opposition to choose a few "loaders" to roprosent tho pooplo at largo. If tho pooplo are going to bo hoard'in.;this country, then wo must make tho country talk with and listen to them, and not a hmdpickod committe. The pooplo sent 68 representatives that thoy chose in open convention. The dolegation could not violate that trust. 2. Tho first provision of that compromise was that tho regular delegation would be fully seated and recognizod. The FDP did not go to Atlantic City to vote for a proposal which would recognize the regular party as the Democratic representative in Mississippi, The FDP came to unseat the rorulars because they don't represent the people of Mississippi. Even the two seats offered to tho FDP would not have been Mississippi votes, but merely votes at large. 3. Tho compromise made pretense at setting up means of challenging dolepations in 1968 from states which interfere with Negro participation in the Party. But the Credentials Committee, in private talks with the FDP delegation, said that it would not guarantee a single registered voter added to ho lists in tho next four years. Loss than 6 percent of voting-age Negroes are now registered in the state. In order to participate in regular democratic party politics in Mississippi you must be a registered voter. The compromise proposal dealt only with"votors . So, oven if Negroes aro permitted to attend moetings in 1963 to prove the party is open", thoy don't stand any real chance of having a voice in the decisions of that party. [|. Some supporters of tho compromise argued that the FDP was representing all Negroes in tho country and tho two seats-offer would moan a lot to them in tho Northern cities, where much rioting has been taking place. But tho 68 persons camo to Atlantic City to roprosent the Nogrocs of Mississippi and not the country as a whole. That is tho nature of all delegations at tho convention. It is unreasonable to ask tho Mississippi delegation to bear the burden of the entire country. There is no reason why the Negroes in Mississippi should be sacridicod on tho altar of national politics, 5. The compromise offered no precedent for the future, especially since it was not based on anv procodont in the past. It offered tho FDP nothing in the way of permanent recognition, patronage, official status or a guarantee of participation in tho 1968 convention. The compromise was a completely one-shot affair; tho FDP is not. 6. Tho committee set up to review such matters for tho 1968 convention has no official status or power with regard to hhe 1968 convention. It may look good on papor, but its strength lies thero on the papor and nowhore else. 7. The compromise was an effort by tho Administration, led by Pres. Johnson , to prevent a floor fight on tho issuo at the convention. Tho 'compromiso was not designed to deal with the issuos raised by the FDP in challenging the regular delegation. Thoroforo, if it was reasonable for tho administration to offor such a compromise, it was certainly just as reasonable for the FDP to reject it. *«v f>

PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTI 5*

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TO: ALL FRIENDS OF THE MFDP

FROM: THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY

We are enclosing a report explaining the role of the MFDP at the Convention in Atlantic City and the plans of the MFDP for the future. We hope that this report will help you understand more fully the position and focu3 of the MFDP. As the Convention made clear, there are many things that you in the North can do to help the MFDP. There is tho obvious and omnipresent need for money and supplies. In tho next few weeks we will be running 5> campaigns for Senate and the House of Representatives. And poverty in Mississippi means not only that people aro poor, but that they have no money with which to help themselves. Wo must hav3 material support from outsido the state if wo aro to koop pace with tho growing strength of organization among the people themselves.

We also need political support. Because wc had that support, wo made the Democratic National Convention stand still for four days, and received the coverage in press and television we so vitally needed. But we lost the battle at the Convention.

Now we are wcrkinr to challenge the Mississippi representatives to ^enito nnd the Congress, if wo aro to win this battle against the Regular Democratic Party of Mississippi, we must have pressure from vou on the President and on the repre­ sentatives of the National Democratic Party in your'state. But it is most important to remember that the members of the MFDP are Mississippi Negroes first and foremost, and it is this condition that Shape1 their lives. Unless the state itself changes, their lives cannot improve - and the state will not change without pressure from tho rest of the country. .( V . You must help by making, sure tho people of the MFDP are not ( V- / \ forgotten, by insisting that the story of Mississippi continue [^ to bo told, and by calling for the kind of Federal presence o that will bring Freedom to those people's livos. Freedom Democratic Party 8£2 \ Short Street Jackson, Mississippi FDP r-V THE CONVENTION CHALLENGE

Many friends of the FDP have expressed concern and confusion as to why the FDP delegation at Atlantic City refused to accept the decision of the Credentials Committee. That decision gave Dr. Aaron Henry and Rev. Ed King votes as Delegates-At-Large, required that the Regular Democratic Party of Mississippi pledge support to Johnson Humphrey in November, and provided for a committee to work on requiring that at the 1968 convention all delegates be chosen through processes which do not exclude Negro registered voters. In analyzing why the FDP did not accept this compromise, It is important to understand first what the FDP delegation represent­ ed and what it accomplished at the convention. The FDP delegation was not simply an "alternative" delegation chosen by Negro instead of white Mississippians. The FDP is not a Negro party, but an integrated party, open to all whites. It grows directly out of the civil rights movement in Mississippi. It came to Atlantic City demanding, not simply that Negroes be represented, but that racism be ended - in Mississippi and in the Democratic Party. Moreover, the conditions under which the FDP delegation was chosen were certainly uniqae. Though the FDP delegation was chosen according to the laws of Mississippi, its role was only partially political. This is so because simply to take part in the political process of the state makes the Negro in Mississippi automatically a rebel against the segregated society. This me ns that he is in immediate and grave danger of losing his job, his home, and possibly his life. Many of those who represented the FDP at Atlantic City have suffered the most brutal and continual reprisals ever since they began working for their political rights. This lends a peculiar and unique air to their efforts to attend the Convention, and means that they were literally gambling their lives against the right of being seated in Atlantic City. The third tMng that must be understood is that the FDP i had the support it needed to win the fight at Atlantic City. Within the Credentials Committee their was sufficient support to get the FDP's demands on the floor of the Convention, through the"signing of a minority report. On the floor, there was sufficient support to force a roll call vote. Once a roll call . was allowed, most observers agreed that the FDP would have been seated. What prevented this was the most massive pressure from the White House, 1b'.i.:-a fjho mediation of Hubert Humphrey. The FDP delegation wa? awr.ro ~>f ell of this, and it therefore knew that the leadership of tho r^rty and the Convention was denying it what jn fact it n°d tho poo-ilor support to win. This kind of dictation la vba*; tfogroes in Mississippi faco and have always faced, e id it is p"- "!''e]y hbis that thoy are learning to stand up agalr<: :. The specific reasons for the rejection of the Committee's decision follow: 1. Supporters of the compromise argued that the two seats would have great symbolic value. BKit 68 symbols would have been a lot bettor than two. We must stop playing the game of accepting token recognition for real change and of allowing the opposition to choose a few "loaders" to represent the people at large - especially if, as at the Convention, tho opposition is all white and the people are all Negro. If the people are going to be heard in this country, then we must make the country talk with and listen to them, and not a handpicked committee. Tho people sent 68 representatives that they chose in open convention. The delegation could not violate that trust. 2. The first provision of that compromise was that the Regular delegation would be fully seated and recognized. The FDP did not go to Atlantic City to vote for a proposal which - - - ta- se seats offered to the FDP would not have been Mississippi votes, but merely votes at large. 3. The compromise made pretense at setting up means of challenging delegations in 1968 from states which interfere with Negro participation in the party. But the Credentials Committee, in private talks with the FDP delegation, said that it would not guarantee a single registered voter added to the lists in the next four years. Les3 than 6 percent of voting- age Negroes are now registered in the state. In order to participate in regular"democratic party politics in Mississippi you must be a registered voter. Th- compromise proposal dealt only with "voters". So, even if Negroes are periSitted to attend meetings in 196^ to prove the oarty is "open", thoy d>n't sta_d any real chance of having a voice in tho decision of that party. l\. Some supporters of the compromise argued that the FDP was representing all Negroes in the country and the two seats offered would mean a lot to them in the Northern Cities, where rioting has boen taking place. But the 68 persons came to I Atlan ic City to represent tho Negroes of Mississippi and not I the country as a whole. That is the nature of all delegations at tho convontion. It is unreasonable to ask the Mississippi delegation to boar tho burden of tho entire country - especially sinco it is one of tho most powerless groups in tho country to actua.'J.y affect conditions. There is no reason why the Negroes of *4i£3lS8ipp4 should be sacrificed on the altar of national polit .' C3, ^. Th7) compromise offered no precedent for tho future, especially since it was not based on any precedent in the past. It of.v.rod tho ^P nothing in th3 way of permanent recognition, patronage, official status or a guarantee of participation in the 1968 ccnvontl ^n. The comoroniiso was a completely one-shot affair; the FDP is not. 2. 6. Tho committee set up to review such matters for tho 1968 convention has no official status or power with regard to the 1968 convention. It may look good on paper, but its strength lies there on the paper and nowhere also. 7. The compromise was an effort by the Administration, led by President Johnson, to prevent a floor fight on the issue at the convention. The compromise «n not designod to deal with the issues raised by the FDP in challenging tho regular delegation. The FDP delegation came to Atlantic City to raise the issue of racism, not simply to demand recognition. It could not accept a token decision which had as its goal the avoidance of the question of racism.

Finally it must be understood that the FDP dolegation did not come to Atlantic Citv begging for crumbs. They came demanding full rights, for themselves and for 1,000,000 other human beings. Thoy would have accepted any honorable compromise between reason­ able men. The test was not whether the FDP could accept "political realism", but rather whether the Convention and the National Democratic Party could accept the challenge presented by tho FDP. Tho Convention and the National Democratic Party failed that tost.

•

PLANS OF THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY

1

Under tho impetus of the Convention Challenge at Atlantic City, the Froodom Domocratic Party has undergone great growth and solidification throughout Mississippi. Local leadership is taking over a larger and larger share of the organizational work of the party and the related efforts of voter rogistration and education. District, County, and Precinct meetings are being held all over the state fo further these programs. Tho main task of tho FDP in tho next few months will be to see that focus Is given to tho political work and that materials aro available > to further the educational program. Those efforts will center around the Freedom Vote and tho new Froedom Primers,

THE FREEDOM VOTE

The main effort of tho FDP in the next six weeks will bo a Freedom Vote to bo hold October 31 and November 1 and 2. Tho Freedom Vote will bo open to all people, Nogro and white, register­ ed cr unregistered, who are at least 21 and residents of Missis­ sippi. London Johnson and Hubert Humphrey will bo placed against Barry Gclthrato* and William Miller in the Freedom Vote. The FDP will also run Dr. Aaron Henry for the Senate, Mr. Harold Roby for Congress in tho 1st District, Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer in the 2nd Dx.it riot, Mrs. Annie Devine in the i}th District, and Mrs. Victors Crray in tho £th District.

Tho i-1 y is c.l&o supporting the Johnson-Humphrey ticket in tho regular election Noveribor 3, The FDP candidate (except Mr. Roby) will entf.r fcha t election as Independents. J!he PBP will be tho only majur group in Mississippi supporting Johnson-Humphrey in Novomber. 4- * " ^

The Regular Domocratic Party of Mississippi has openly endorsed the Barry Goldwater-William Miller ticket. The FDP i3 supporting Johnson and Humphrey oven though it was Johnson and Humphrey who blocked the seating of the FDP at Atlantic City. It is doing this because it recognizes the importanco of a Johnson-Humphroy victory in November; rod because it believes, despite Atlantic City, in the ultimate ability of tho Democratic Party to meet the challenge of the FDP and eliminate racism from its ranks. It also knows that support for Johnson will help in its fight against the Regular Democratic Party because of the.latter's ^position to the candidates and Platform of the National Party. But since 9k% of Mississippi's Negroos of voting age still are not registered, the FDP can offer only token support for candidates in the regular election. Instead, its efforts will focus on the Freedom Vote, where anyone can vote. The importance of the Freedom Vote is that it gives to Mississippi's disen­ franchised Negroes tho chance to participate in politics and indicate thoir political preferences. Tho FDP hopes to have more votes cast for its candidates in tho Freedom Vote than are cast for the opposition candidates in the regular election. In this way, tho Freedom Vote will show, not only that Mississippi's Negroes would vote if they were allowed to do so, but that the outcome of the elections under such circumstance would be radically different. It would also show that Negroes would be elected to public offices in Mississippi if the Negro half of the state's population were allowod to vote. The 1961} Freedom Vote will load to further challenges on the national level. In January tho FDP will attempt to have the Mis­ sissippi roprosentatives to Congress unseated on the grounds that thoy were chosen through a discriminatory voting procedure. The FDP will show through the Freedom Vote that some at least of the regular candidates would not to ve been elected if Negroos had the right to vote. If this effort fails, the FDP will ask tho Democratic caucus to strip all Mississippi representatives of thoir seniority in Congress. This will also be done on the grounds of voting discri mination, and on the grounds of regular party disloyalty. The FDP expects to emerge from the Freedom Vote with a much strengthened .. organization at the local level and with much broader awareness I of its goals among the Negroes of the state. THE FREEDOM PRIMERS - The FDP has launched a major new educa­ tional program in tho stato through the use of the Freedom Primers. The Freedom Primers are short, simple booklets on different phases of politics, oconomics, and civil right3 as they effoct Mississip­ pi ans. The first primer concerned Tho Convention Challenge and The Freedom Voto. Tho primers will bo distributed to MFDP activists and to students in the Mississippi Project's Freodom Schools. As much as possible, MFDP distribution will bo made through local officers of tto> party. In this way they will serve an organizational as woll as an educational function. Tho primers will be used as tho basis of discussion at precinct and county meetings and at voter registration meetings. It is hoped that the primers can bo published once every 10 days for a full year, oach issue on a different topic. It is hoped tho primors will provide a breadth of facts and concepts more vital to the growth of political understanding than a more rigid educational program. Mississippi Faces Challenge The colorful Boardwalk in Atlantic City will be crowded this August with more than two "Freedom Democrats" thousand delegates and alternates to the Demo­ cratic National Convention. Newsmen, tourists, to challenge Missis­ and politicians of all shapes and sizes will pack into the massive Convention Hall for the quad­ rennial rite of picking a Presidential ticket and sippi Delegation at writing a party platform. Among the throng in Atlantic City will be a small National Convention but determined band of whites and Negroes from the troubled state of Mississippi. Under the banner of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, they will try to unseat the all-white delegation from Mississippi picked k in meetings from which Negroes have been excluded. *^*w*'*'* «w^ There is an element of drama in this struggle, for the Freedom Democrats face heavy odds in their fight for recognition as the official delegation from Mississippi. Who are the Freedom Democrats, and why will they go to Atlantic City with their appeal to the convention? Mississippi has not always been the scene of bitter-end struggles and politics built on racism. One of the stalwarts of Roosevelt's New Deal bloc in Congress was Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi, and until 1960 the liberal Frank Smith was a respected member of Congress. But Missis­ sippi lost a Congresional seat that year, and the powers- that-be defeated Smith, who now serves on the board of the TV A. Negroes have not been welcome at the polls in Missis­ sippi for many years, and a combination of poll taxes, fear, and discriminatory voting tests have kept them from voting. As a consequence, less than 7 percent of the eligible Negroes in the state are registered to vote. In 1962, although they were shut out of both parties, Negroes and a handful of sympathetic whites decided to set up their own political structure. On an unofficial "Free­ dom Ballot" held in churches and stores, 83,000 Negroes voted for Aaron Henry for Governor and Edwin King for Lieutenant Governor. Henry, a Negro pharmacist and state president of the NAACP, and King, a young white min­ ister who is chaplain of Tougaloo College compaigned through Mississippi on a civil rights and anti-poverty platform. Last April 26, under the direction of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), a committee of all the civil rights groups in the state, 200 delegates met in Jack­ son to establish the Freedom Democratic Party. They contended that Mississippi had no real Democratic Party, since the state Democrats had repudiated the national party (see excerpt from the platform shown here), and decided to register voters and run candidates on their own. Four Freedom Democratic candidates ran in the recent Democratic primaries in Mississippi. The four, three run­ ning for the House and one for the Senate, all lost, but they intend to run in the general election under the Free­ dom Democratic banner. One candidate, Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer of Ruleville—home of Sen. James Eastland—told a meeting in Washington last month that the day after she tried to register to vote, her husband was fired from his job in retaliation. r Sitting in the hot, bustling office of the Freedom Demo­ ayne County Demos crats in Washington, one leader told the Washington Re­ port that progress is being made in the national convention challenge. He pointed to a resolution of the Democratic Train Guns On Lyndon National Committee that delegates must be "bona fide Democrats who have the interests, welfare and success of JACKSON DAILY NEWS the Democratic Party at heart," and argued that this dis­ Paper qualifies the present Mississippi delegates. In his 1963 Friday, June M, 19(54 campaign. Gov. Paul Johnson said that his party "long ago Reports separated itself from the National Democratic Party. . . ." WAYNESBORO, Miss. (Spe­ The Freedom Democrats are busily rounding up sup­ Call for cial) — The Wayne County port for their convention challenge. Buttonholing delegates Democratic convention was from Northern states and attending state Democratic con­ "Complete held here at the Court House, ventions, they have already been assured of support from and delegates elected to repre­ Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, California, Defeat" of sent Wayne County in the Dis­ and Massachusetts. trict and State Convention were But the tough fight will be in the credentials committee President James Mashburn, Henry W. at the convention, on which each state has two members. Odom, S. C. Kennedy, and Rab They hope to get the needed back­ Johnson Sanderson. ing of at least 10 percent on the The Convention adopted a res­ credentials committee, and the sup­ olution that the delegates to the port of 8 or more states for a roll- District and State Convention call on the credentials challenge on would be instructed to vote for the floor. and support only those persons Negroes in Mississippi are slowly were pledged to bring about making progress toward racial equal- the complete defeat of Lyndon ^^^^_ ^_ ity. but as the headlines show almost Baines Johnson. ^k ^J ^^fl they face ^k ^^^^^M from many quarters. Most of all, they want political equality; the Rev. John Cameron, right to register, vote and take part young Hattiesburg The States Speak Out minister, is Freedom in the political process. The Free­ Democratic candidate dom Democrats want to support in 4th district of Wisconsin . . . Mississippi. national candidates and goals. Whereas: the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is firmly Atlantic City will be crowded this August, and the eyes committed to the principle of one man, one vote; and, . . . of the nation will be focused on Convention Hall. In the Whereas: in certain states, such as Mississippi, delegates Hall and up and down the boardwalk, serious Negroes and are elected by a non-representative white minority; . . . whites from Mississippi will be collaring delegates from other Be it . . . resolved: that the Wisconsin delegation to the states, arguing that their color or support of civil rights Democratic National Convention be urged to support the accreditation of the Freedom Delegation as an expression not bar them from the convention in place of a delegation of our support for the principle of one man, one vote and determined to oppose civil rights. The time has come, they to encourage those who are working for voter registration will say. for Mississippi to rejoin the union of states. They of a disfranchised Negro minority. are determined, and the convention will have to listen to them. Michigan . . . Whereas: the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi is undemocratically constituted in that it discriminates PLATFORM against large numbers of citizens; and . . . Whereas: a Freedom Democratic Party is being estab­ OF THE lished in the state of Mississippi which is open to all citizens regardless of race and which will support the national platform and candidates; . . . now, therefore, be it MISSISSIPPI Resolved: that this Convention instructs the Michigan delegation at the forthcoming national convention to take all appropriate action to seat the delegates from the Free­ STATE DEMOCRATIC dom Democratic Party of Mississippi. . . . Minnesota . . . PARTY Whereas: the traditional Democratic Party of Mississippi Adopted In Convention In the City of Jackson, is a totally segregated party which does not permit hundreds August 16, I960 (After the 1960 National Con­ ot thousands of Negro citizens in Mississippi to vote or vention in Los Angeles) otherwise participate in its affairs; . . . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY Therefore, be it resolved that this convention instructs THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF MISSISSIPPI the Minnesota delegation to the forthcoming Democratic (1) That v/e reject and oppose the platforms National Convention ... to consider the request to seat the of both National Parties and their candidates. delegates of the Freedom Democratic Party with sym­ pathy. . . . SHSW COPY - 8/28/67

Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party 107 North Farish Street Jackson, Mississippi

October 3, 1965 Rev. C. Whitley East College Holly Springs,

Dear Rev. Whitley, T would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for offering your services to run in the 1966 Senatorial election. Indeed it is a contribution to the Negroes of the State and the Country. I need not tell you that you are challenging one of the most powerful legislative officers and one of the most dangerous racists this country has ever known. There are of course more reasons which make your challenge so important*

At the present time no other candidate has made himself or herself known - whether from the regular Democrat party, the Mississippi Democratic Conference, the NAACP, the K.K.K. ecetera. There have been rumors that Governor Paul Johnson will resign and run in the 1966 election but that is all*

Should any other member of the F.D.P. offer their services for the same election post the matter would then be decided at a future State Convention of the Party. One should be held in about a month's time. T will be working toward spreading information across the state about your candidature and advise that you do likewise.

The Executive Committee of the M.F.D.P. feels that you are a true believer in the Party's platform and principles because of your help to formulate them; as one of the delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Atlantic City last year; and because your long fight for civil liberties and concern for free human development. I need not tell you about some of the opposition the Party has had from groups and organizations, some of whom were once with us. Since Atlantic City some support has been lost. I would hope as a member of the Party and! candidate for U.S. Senator, we could reactivate much of that support both actively and financially. We should get as many people working in this campaign as possible. I thought of the possibility of involving the East and N.Y. students in writing letters to their parents urging them to register to vote before January and the possibility of involving the Methodist Church both State and Nationally in term of volunteers to do work in each county , press releases for public support and last but not least raising money for campaign material*

I deeply feel that if we do our homework like massive voter registration drives in each county political workshop and with more federal registrars in the state the possibility of winning is great in both Senatorial and Congressional districts like the second. Right now we have started a war for voters using every resource under the sun with the determination that nothing is impossible*

Information of evejry kind will be put at your disposal* On the other hand we would value any information you can give us and help by way of evaluation, mailing lists, etc* The following addressed you may already have but they are worth repeating: State Office - Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party c/o Lawrence Guyot or Lea Dilworth $07^ North Farish Street Jackson, Mississippi 9U8-U038 Washington Office: FDP - c/o Mrs. Victoria Gray 926 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 5U6-UU10

Good Luck I Keep in touch

Lea Dilworth (Executive Committee)

cc. To all members of the Executive Committee.