Council of Federated Organisations 1|29 Yazoo Avenue Clarksdale, Mississippi Ma U-9167 ' August 1, 1963
Attn: Thomas Gaither
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLARKSDALE ARREST TOTAL MOUNTS TO EIGHTY ONE
Fourteen more young antisegregation demonstrators1 were arrested here today. Today's protest was directed against segregation in general and specifically against the hiring policy of the local F. W, Woolworth store.
Trials for thirty-two of the adults arrested were disposed of by an agreement between Attorney R, Jess Brown of Jackson and Clarksdale City Attorney Charles Brocato, The only case which actually came before the court today was the case of Dr. Aaron Henry, State President of the NAACP, Henry was found guilty of "parading without a permit" and fined $101,00 and sentenced to 30 days in jail. All of the other adults who were also found guilty entered pleas of Nolo Contendre, AH of the cases will be appealed to the County Court, Cases involving juveniles are to be heard at a later date by a juvenile Judge.
All of the persons arrested with the exception of a few juveniles are being detained in the Clarksdale City Jail, There have been no Bonds posted to date.
Acting on information received from some of the juveniles arrested protests have been lodged with the United States Department of Justice re garding the treatment of female prisoners. The female prisoner are being kept in a cell approximately 9X9 with little or no ventilation. Further reports are that food has been denied the prisoners because they have persisted with singing Freedom songs. Protests about these conditions have been made from all the major Civil Rights Organizations,
Further demonstrations are being planned for tomorrow. p-
Council of Federated Organizations U29 Yazoo Avenue Clarksdale, Mississippi Main b-916?
Attn:' Thomas Gaither & Charles Evers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIVE CLARKSDALE SIT-INNERS ARRESTED
Five Clarksdale Negroes were arrested here today in one of the few sit-ins to be staged in this Delta town. These arrests brought the total number arrested within the last three days to eighty-six. All persons previously arrested are being detained in the City Jail with the exception of some Juveniles who have been released in the custody of their parents. Persons arrested today were charged with trespassing and fine was set at $201,00,
Confirmed reports of cruel and inhuman treatment to female prisoners are being continually made despite protests to the local FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, Female prisoners were observed today cutting grass with sling blades in the Cutrer Hill Area of town. One of the female prisoners, Mrs, Odessa Brooks of 6o6Ashton alledgedly suffered a heat stroke this morning. When Mrs, Bassook's husband attempted to visit his wife he was told by Police Chief Ben Collins "can't you keep that Bitch from up here marching". Further protests have been lodged with the Justice Department regarding these incidents of police harrassment. The treat ment of male prisoners has generally been fair with the exception of poor food and a few incidents of policemen hitting and kicking Negro demonstrators. The male prisoners are working on the city garbage trucks.
A mass meeting is scheduled tonight, Charles Evers, State NAACP Field Secre tary will be the main speaker. Further protests are being planned. Bombing at the VTCKS3UBG FREEDOM HOUSE At about 3=00 a.m. Sunday October 4 the COPO office,library and Freedom school was largely destroyed by what is believed to have been a dynamite tomb. The comb had been placed on the south side of the building, about halfway back, under the rear portion of the library. None of the fourteen people in the buildin gat the time of the blasi was seriously injured, though several members of Mrs. Bessie Brown's family, which occupied part of the first floor, were slightly hurt. Mrs. Brown herself received minor cuts and scratches. Her daughter, Sandra, was similarly cut, and Hank, her two month old grandson, was bruised. The other five children, ranging in age from three to elever. suffered from shoak. Upstairs, the six C0F0 workers were unhurt, "Then the blast occurrec" Henry Coleman, a local volunteer, was standing in the office, anothei Vicksburg volunteer, J.C Hayes, was talking with Elaine Singer, C0F0 worker from Brdicott, N,Y„ in the north-front room. Meanwhile, in the south—front bedroom, Henry Hunter, a local boy participating in SNCC'e work-study program, was lying in bed, having a conversation with Bryar Dunlap, COPO volunteer from Leonia, IT. J. Standing in the hall betweer the two rooms was Emily Gordon, COPO worker of Ann Arbor, Michigan. A loud, prolonged explosion and flash of light was followed by the sounds of the house failing in toward the rear. Clouds of dust and acrid smoke filled the house. The first sounds &n the silence were the cries of the awakened Brown children. In the darkness which followed the explosion, £.C., Bryan and Emily helped clear debris from the first-floor hall and, with Mrs. Brown, took the six frightened younger children out to the front porch. In the rain and the rising wind which swept Vicksburg in advance of hur ricane Hilda, the survivors took shelter on the porch under an unharm ed portion of the roof, and searched the wreckage for clothing. Jacki Mrs. Brown's youngest (2 year-old) daughter had been buried up to the neck in debris, after having been thrown from her bed by the ooncussio of the blast. She had to be dug out. The Brown living quarters were filled with overturned furniture and broken glass. Total damage has been estimated at 110,000. The rear part of the house (back porch, kitchen,.toilets, library) was completely demolish ed... and the blast tore away nearly all the library ceiling, blowing out more than half of the floor of the room in which Henry and 3rya.n had been standing. HenrySs bed was tilted through the hole,balanced on several broken floor planks. Pieces of the wreckage were blown backwards in a radius of about 60 feet, A metal folding chair was found on Grove Street 50 feet away Only two rooms in the house escaped damage—•- the office and the • north-front room. Jn.e files were undamaged, but one desk and work area were blown through the floor. About 9,000 volumes in the Freedom library were buried by the blast. Mosjr were rained on for sevseral hours; many were broken up and soiled by dust from the explosion, thrown around and stepped on by officials investigating the site. The P.Be I. have done a thorough job of looking around, local police , though, are more concerned with controlling our actions. They have tried repeatedly to evict us from our only office space. Freedom Freedom Freedom, Freidom Freedom "WELL...... THEY FINALLY GOT US"
The bomb we had bean expecting all summer has finally got planted. And it worked. Sort of. The reason we say'sort of; is because the bomb did not work 100^. Prom the position of the bomb (in the middle og the house) we know that it was placed there, expressly for the purpose of KILLING EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE. The bomb was not thrown. It was planted. They didn8t try to burn the place drwn, they intended to blew the entire insides out of the house. Including the fourteen people that were in it. Since then, the police have orsered us out of our office, the only part of the building still safe to work in, and the Buildin^ Inspector, knowing we have nowhere else to set up an office, has forbidden us to use the office after dark. Despite all this, we are going to rebuild as soon as possible. Right now, we have to find a new office; settle old utility bills; get a car that works. Our immediate need: 1.500, 0ur long-term rebuilding estimate: $10,000. As yet this is only an estimate, but., as we find out the specific COH&S, the figure certainly won't get any smaller. Start now. How much can you give? And remember — we will need skills (especially in building and decorating) in our rebuilding program, not just money.
ViGdcsburg COPO 1016 Hossley St. Vicksburg, Mississippi Ia.m enclosing a check for | , to help with the immediate needs of the Vicksburg Project. I can raise $ for the rebuilding of the Vicksburg Freedom House. $_ of which I can send before Nov ember 1. MEMO TO COFO STAFF AND VOLUNTEER WORKERS
FROM: COFO LEGAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The attached order of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the
5th Circuit is of vital importance in the fight to obtain effective
Federal protection for the exercise of constitutional liberties in
the State of Mississippi,
Earlier this summer an important Federal lawsuit was in stituted on behalf of COFO, the Negro citizens of Mississippi and all Americans actively involved in the efforts to enforce the Constitution in Mississippi. This Federal action charged that a conspiracy exists between certain defendants including the Sheriffs and Deputy Sherriffs of the State, the State Highway Patrol and other police officers, such groups as the Ku Klux Klan, the Citizens Councils and the ^Association for the Preservation of the White Race, and individual white Mississipians, to encourage and use acts of terror and violence in an attempt to intimidate and deter those Negro and white citizens who insist on exercising their constitutional rights in this State, The complaint asked for a Federal injunction against this conspiracy and, pursuant to a Federal statute, for the appointment of emergency United States Commissioners with full power of arrest to be stationed in every county of Mississippi. On JnT^^^^WS^^^st^m^s^^^B^mtise^m
i • : case-without--sr*-heai lhlT;; mmeOm Thursday'$m£mgasm%8^f:'the^iJnxieE^^mie^Coirrx^i &ppeals~for* tha Ti^n^Circuit" is'buti'd" u.rovder^'dlzazZls^ TJuhg^Mzl^gb
^Jile--an:;answer;.:to:;:ouriTa^ppir
£rnandamus;;:within'-t^-srity"::dcys-s> The Court in its order said that mandamus may be necessary in this case. This is a writ used only in the most exceptional situations in which a Court of Appeals orders a district judge to take certain action immediately. The Court of Appeals has also speeded up the appeal from Judge Mize's dismissal of the COFO case and ordered the appeal fully argued together with the extraordinary writ of mandamus. /
This action of the Court of Appeals means that the entire question of a Federal injunction against the statewide Mississippi conspiracy, and the urgent necessity of Federal judicial intervention to protect civil rights activities will be before the Federal Court of Appeals in the very near future, probably in late September or early October. At the same time, the Court of Appeals will decide whether to issue its own extra-ordinary writ of mandamus to Judge Mize directing immediate action. /
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 21795
COUNCIL OF FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS, ET AL, Petitioners versus HON. SIDNEY MIZE, ET AL, Respondents, COUNCIL OF FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS, ET AL, Appellants versus L. A. RAINEY, ET AL, Appellees.
ORDER
Before RIVES, JONES and WISDOM, Circuit Judges. Per Curiam: It appears that the extraordinary writ of mandamus may possibly be required in aid of the Court's appellate jurisdiction. See 28 U.S.C.A. 1651; Parr v. United States, 1956, 351 U. S. 513, 520. It is therefore ordered that an answer to the petition be filed within twenty days from the date on which this order shall be served by the clerk on the respondents. See Fifth Circuit Rule 13a. It is further ordered that the appeal be expedited so as to be ready for submission along with the petition for mandamus. Within ten days from the filing of the answer to the petition for mandamus, the petitioners, appellants, shall file their brief covering both the petition for mandamus and the appeal. Within ten days from the date of receipt of a copy of such brief, the respondents appellees, shall file their brief in both proceedings. Briefs may be typed, four legible copies to be filed. A further order will then be entered as to the date of oral argument and submission or other proceedings. MATERIALS WEEDED FOR MISSISSIPPI SUMMER PROJECT
I, Machines and equipment: typevrriters, duplicating machines, etc. (NOTE: send the stencils, paper, ink, fluid, etc., that each kind of machine requires as well as the machine, please.) Tape recorders and tapes, phonographs and records, Tele-trainers (N.I. Bell Telephone Co.); Film and Strip projectors, films, screens and film strips.
II, Supplies: ANY kind of paper, manilla folders and envelopes; Blackboards, chalk, erasers; Bulletin boards; pencils, crayons, ball point pens, magic markers (all colors, but especially red, black & blue), paints; scissors, scotch tape, masking tape, paste, thumb tacks, paper clips,* pencil erasers, chalk, mimeo correction fluid; Stapling machines, staples, staple removers, pencil sharpeners; stencils, mastercopies, ink, etc., for various duplicators.
III, Printed materials: 1. Magazines: Lif.e> Ebony, Jet, National Geographic, etc. 2. Classic comics (Company must be contacted for donations) 3. Workbooks - all subjects, and all levels 4. Maps *• wall and desk size 5. Prints of artistic'works 6. Official forms, such as social security, job applications, mail order, etc. 7. Reference works - dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. 8. "News for You" - published on 3 levels (Box 131, Syracuse) 9. Books - specific titles. See book list.
BOOKS NEEDED IN THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Negro History and Culture: Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Dubois; Prom Slavery to Freedom, John H, Franklin; A Pictorial History of the Negro People in the United States. Langston Hughes; The Lost Cities of Africa, Basal Davidson; Africa in the Modern World, Stillman & Colvin; The Long Black Scbooner, Eiima Gelders Sterne; Amierica{s Tenth Man. Lucille A. Chambers; Negro Makers of History. Carter G. Woodson
Famous Negroes: Frederick Douglas. Slave-Fighter-»Freeman. Arna W. Bontempts; Jean Baptiste Pointe Desable: Founder of Chicago. Shirley Graham; Belefonte. Arnold Shaw
Novels with Significant Themes & General Interest: Another Country, etc. Jfgjmes Baldwin; The Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, Black Boy_, Richard Wright; Freedom Road, Howard Fast; Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank; The Mind of the South, I'J. J. Cash; Growing Up Albjurd, Paul Goodman; Killers of the Dream, Lillian Smith; Strength to Lore, Martin Luther King; Summerhill, A. S. Nei'll
Aids in Teaching.Reading Skills: Basic Reading Skills for High Senool Use,-- Monro, Morseman, Gray; Teen-Age Tales, Ruth Strang; Word Attack, Roberts
Career Planning & Description of Jobs; Charting Your Course. Henry S. Galus; Scholarships. Fellowships & Loans, N, S. Feingold BOOKS AND FILMS NEEDED FOR MISSISSIPPI LIBRARIES
I. Reference books. All kinds. Especially good, collegiate dictionaries.
II, Negro History A. General Survey
Russell Adams, Great Negroes Past and Present. (Chieago: Afro-American Publish ing Co., 1963. $^.95) •Herbert Aptheker (ed,), A Documentary History of the Ne^ro People in The United States, (New York : 1951) " Lerone Bennett, Jr., Before the Mayflover. (Chicago: Johnson Publishing Co., 196a. $579D ~ W.E.B, DuBois, Black Folk: Then and Nov (New'York, 1939). Probably unavailable, except privately. , gouls of Black Folk, paperback.
John Hope Franklin, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of American Negroes. (New York: A"A.' Knopf, 19^7). ~ ' Melville J. Herskovits, The Myth of the Negro's Past.(New York: 19^1),
Langston Hughes, A Pictorial History of the Negro People in the United States. (New" York: 1951)
J.W. Schulte Nordbolt, The People That Walk in Darkness (New York, Ballantine Books, 1965) "
Saunders Redding, The Lonesome Rood, (Garden City: 1958)- paperback. Carter G, Woodson, The Negro in Our Bi3tory (Washington: 19^7).
C. Venn Woodward, The Strange Career of Jim Crow Richard Wright, Twelve Million Black Voices. (Unavailable except privately.)
B. African Culture and History Basil Davidson, Black Mother •M.I»I M* I-..., ,»• m tmmtmfrmmm •_, The Lost Cities of Africa W.E.B. BuBols, Black Folk Then and Now (see above) , The Woria and Africa (unavailable, except privately) Jahnbeinz Jahn, Muptu Jomo Kenyatta, Facing Haunt Kenya (an anthropology book) Kwame Nkrumah, Africa Must Unite 1963
Efflma G. Sterne, The Long Black Schooner. Story of the Amistad Munity Isuaanuel Wallerstein, Africa, the'Politics of Independence, (New York, Vintage Books, 1961)." paperback" ' COF^ Booklist, page 2
John A. Williams, Africa, Bgr History,Lands, and People, Told with Pictures. (Cooper Square Publishers, New York, 1963). paperback.
Carter Woodson, African Myths. Suitable for reading aloud
C, Books about the Negro in American History Herbert Aptheker, Slave Revolts. ? Embree, American Negroes. Merl R. Eppse, Elementary History of America. Langston Hughes, The First Book of Negroes.
Jane D. Shackelford, Child's Story of the Negro.
Hildegarde H. Swift, North Star Shining.
Carter G. Woodson, Negro Makers of History. W.E.B, DuBois, Black Reconstruction. Carter G. Woodson, The Story of the Negro Retold.
D. Books about Famous People in Negro History
Arna W. Bontemps, Frederick Douglass, Slave—Fighter—Freeman
, The Story of George Washington Carver.
Benjamin Brawley, Negro Builders and Heroes.
Helen Buckler, Doctor Dan, Pioneer in American Surgery.
Elise P. Derricote, World Pictures of the Great.
The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. Autobiography. Paperback
W.E.B. DuBois, John Bro»ro. (Paperback)
Shirley Graham, Doctor George Washington Carver: Scientist (Messner, 19!-A)
, Jean Baptiste Pointe DeSable: Founder of Chicago.
, The Story of Phyllis Wheat ley
Langston Hughes, Fame us Negro Heroes of America (Dodd, 195*0
Catherine Owens Peare, Mary McLeod Bethune.
Ann Petry, Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad. (Crowell, 1955)
Katherine Scherman, The Slave Who Freed Haiti. Re; Subsistence for Volunteers in Mississippi (Freedom Force)
Each day I get five or six more people vho want to be added to the Freedom Force. As first conceived the FF was sup posed to be those people in Mississippi whose subsistence was sent from groups or individuals in the north. Until I got the responsibility of trying to connect the northern groups w ith the volunteers, I thought there were many groups who had expressed interest and 50 or so volunteers could be "adopted" with no difficulty.
But, those groups are very few and have already committed themselves to supporting the FF. I just sent a mailing to all the ministers who worked in Mississippi and all the or ganizations and groups whom we have had recent contact with. There has been no response. There are about 150 volunteers who need money to live-- to buy food, toothpaste, etc. hey have no money and are borrowing mo ney from S?TCC workers who themselves make only $9.6lj. per week. Ahis is top priority and you should be con - tacting every individual^ group, or organization asking thorn to send money to these volunteers. ^e details of the program is enc losed,,'per haps .you can duplicate it for a mailing.
I am at my wits end on how to get money for the volun teers, will they starve? will they have to leave? will they have to get jobs and therefore will not be able to devote their full time to the movement?
I need help because I really don't know what to do when someone writes...
"At Tougaloo in late August, we were informed that all Summer Volunteers that stayed in the state- would be provided for. I returned North for awhile and for the past several weeks have been trying to find out how to get this money. Frankly, I have no fina ncial rescourses at all and will have to leave the state, if you or someone in Atlanta cannot get me sub- sistnece... I repeat: It is imperative that I get subsistence and very soon. Sne continues to say that she teaches Freedom Schools a nd works in Federal Programs but as most human beings she needs to eat and needs subsistence."
I FEEL THAT IF WE ARE SERIOUS WHEN Wr SAY WF WORK TO SUP ORT THF PROJECTS I" TFT SCUTH, THEN W WILL HAVE TO GET TH1^ ^ONEY FOR T •, i S E VO LUNF.E RS .
FRET* DQM, /) •$4M uiid/l troairi a J^iWs ' , MATERI/L3 NEEDED BY COFO
You are in the unique position of having been in Mississippi, end of returning to "normal civilian life", and the spectrum of contacts, friends and relatives you undoubtedly know. You can function as a bridge between the Mississippi Project, and its needs, and the people you know who can help fill these needs. The materials listed below are urgently needed for fall and winter programming. Please urge your contacts, friends and relatives who supply, manufacture or sell these items to contribute them to the Mississippi Project.
1. Books and films related to civil rights, Negro history and culture, politics, economics, and all basic human concerns, the Arts, and so on. 2. P.ecreationa.1 Equipment; chess sets, puzzles and games, table tennis sets, radios and phonographs, records, hobby kits and materials, and so on, 3. Sports Equipment; basketballs and nets, baseball gloves, balls and bats, boxing gloves and begs, footballs and equipment, camping equipment, volleyball, etc, ^•* Sc^0°1 Supplies; maps and globes, paper of all sizes and types, pencils, pens, magic markers, paints and brushes, note pads, blackboards, chalk and erasers, bulletin boards, rulers, scissors, paste, glue, string, teaching aids of all sorts, tele-trainers (available from the N.Y. Bell Telephone Co.) 5, Office Supplies; typing paper, regular and legal size, mimeograph and offset paper, carbon paper and onion skin, envelopes of all sizes and types, jiffy bags for mailing books, typewriters (in good condition, please, and electric if possible), IBM Executive Electric typewriter (for our new printing operation), mimeograph machines, ditto and rexograph machines, photocopiers of all sorts, thumb tacks, staples and staplers, paper clips, rubber bands and other sundry items, mimeo graph stencils and correction fluid, mimeograph ink, tape-recorders and tapes, file cabinets, desks, chairs, other office furniture, file folders, etc, 6, Community Center Supplies; tables, chairs, couches, stools, desks, refrigerators, rugs, bookshelves, dishes and pots, coffee-makers, fans and heaters, air-condit ioners, sewing machines and equipment, yard goods and patterns, knitting materials and instruction books (and other handicrafts), arts and crafts supplies, magazine subscriptions, film projectors, screens and related equipment, towels and sheets, 7* Clothing and Household Items for Mississippi Residents; winter and summer clothing (please pack in boxes marled with size and style, i.e. "men-winter", n girl-summer") , non-perishable food, household items of all sorts, tools of all kinds, linens, blankets, pillows, hot plates and other basic appliances, cots and sleeping bags, fans and heaters, radios, yard goods, etc, 8» General COFO Needs; cars, trucks, pick-up trucks, busses, Volkswagen busses, bicyclesj scholarship funds and college information! storage space in major citiesj transportation facilities; art reproductions and travel postersj paint and brushes, rollers| lumber for carpentry work and construction; sound equipment; short-wave citizen band radios} transistor radios; cigarettes and ash trays; soft-drink beverages; ad infinitum.
Please urge people to donate their green-stamps, and other such stamps. Be ingenious — we need practically everything I Food and clothes are priority itemsI Eric Morton is Materials Coordinator at COFO, and can always be reached at 1017 Lynch St., Jackson,Miss.
Sept., 196li MEMO TO ACCEPTED APPLICANTS To: Mississippi Simmer Project Workers Prom: Mississippi Summer Project Committee
1) We hope you are making preparations to have bond money ready In the event of your arrest. Bond money for a single arrest usually runs around $500. We shall assume that the first person listed on your application as the person to notify for your bond will be the best person to contact in the event of your arrest. 2) There will be a series of orientation periods starting in mid-June and running until the beginning of July at Berea College. People will be staggered over three sessions, each lasting about four days. 3) After July 1 there will be a series of summer long orien tation sessions held at Mount Beaulah in Edwards, Mississippi. We expect all summer workers to go through some orientation period before going into the field. 4) A conference was held the weekend of March 21-22 at which various civil rights people and educators gathered in' New York to work out a detailed curriculum for the Freedom Schools The conference broke Into small working groups which discussed the various Freedom School programs -- remedial Instruction, leadership training, r cultural activities, etc. At present various people are pulling together the results of their sessions and sending reports to the Jackson office. By the end of April we hope to be able to put together a compre- . hensive and detailed curriculum with working suggestions which will be circulated to all those who are being assigned to work in Freedom Schools this summer. 5) We are presently In a very critical financial condition. We are trying to run a number of very important programs this spring and at the same time we are preparing for this summer. We are running three congressional campaigns as well as a senatorial campaign and conducting a Freedom Registration program -•- in which we hope to register 400,000 Negroes on our own registration books -- and building a .grass-roots foundation for our delegation to the Democratic National Convention to challenge the regular all-white party delegation. Believe it or not,, at the moment we are ab solutely broke. Our workers go without eating and our bills are piling up. While two years ago this xvould not have cut seriously into our program, at the present time we can no longer operate for extended periods without funds -- e.g.' we need money for office rent, phone, office supplies, MEMO TO ACCEPTED APPLICANTS To: Mississippi Summer Project Workers From: Mississippi Summer Project Committee
1) We hope you are making preparations to have bond money ready in the event of your arrest. Bond money for a single arrest usually runs around $500. We shall assume that the first person listed on your application as the person to notify for your bond will be the best person to contact in the event of your arrest. 2) There will be a series of orientation periods starting in mid-June and running until the beginning of July at Berea College. People will be staggered over three sessions, each lasting about four days. 3) After July 1 there will be a series of summer long orien tation sessions held at Mount Beaulah in Edwards, Mississippi. We expect ail summer workers to go through some orientation period before going into the field. 4) A conference was held the weekend of March 21-22 at which various civil rights people and educators gathered in' New York to work out a detailed curriculum for the Freedom Schools The conference broke into small working groups which discussed the various Freedom School programs -- remedial instruction, leadership training*"cultural activities, etc. At present various people are pulling together the results of their sessions and sending reports to the Jackson office. By the end of April we hope to be able to put together a compre- . hensive and detailed curriculum with working suggestions which will be circulated to all those who are being assigned to work in Freedom Schools this summer. 5) We are presently in a very critical financial condition. We are trying to run a number of very important programs this spring and at the same time we are preparing for this summer. We are running three congressional campaigns as well as a senatorial campaign and conducting a Freedom Registration program -- in which we hope to register 400,000 Negroes on our own registration books -•• and building a .grass-roots foundation for our delegation to the Democratic National Convention to challenge the regular all-white party delegation. Believe it or not, at the moment we are ab solutely broke. Our workers go without eating and our bills are piling up. While two years ago this would not have cut seriously into our program, at the present time we can no longer operate for extended periods without funds - - e.g. we need money for office rent, phone, office supplies, MEMO TO ACCEPTED APPLICANTS (#2) To: Mississippi Summer Project Workers From; Mississippi Summer pre ' :ec Here - t Committee ome fjnee thTfl>sf ^ditional lnf J) Money -Juf\memo was wrirVi °rmati°n which w« u lon a *«rjfe.o^l.^^-^ „ • " ""» fo^t of
Ion p* other' rom lon J ux-a contact ththe center, which tran""-- f tilthSe isportationp««J?Jnear n fro>omra ththeiAi«r area.?,... Tf ^" Evsportation Connearest center =»~^ If v ery0n,- „£' tact Jter and do 7 yot/ u<-A arctj e *The) Carscar : ^ - -_-•- »»aM";; °™/° not ta^* • possi nave ride UiJt; state fa +.,,. ° ^nould be i^o a or ny „n„e wAS chxs: insuredinsured . ThThne ,„«c, a car thithis SUfflsu»Br dri"tnvn° ho is legal sit^f ^r. in th ltUdtl0 hav e ae state 60 tiai;c « on cars e totake ° TP raust in J 0u havVe a Ti securree „a »• ,°^ 60 ££! f ^^ten t e.RfesfSt. u..bh ufef iicense f«rtrma a" . Missi ssippi know *h0 :^ ^ ^iouid re_t '• if vn n plaf n° "other ,Htatf e -*-*-* -_ AM,,. '"« are Mn ~ your lL~° to be in ;\ ^ onl e befb l the Stafc iCh License costs ||f]^ ***oroe ?Lth?e loc^ f statee license pfiat?J « in ctj You «*„ P, a es. ' Cal Ta a & a s m ° authorities heu can plan I' JchaS^ 9^ exr^s i Vtle /a^ "st ha iSS1 ; oar out y ff" the f« < bout 4< ?L'" " ssiPDl arS e ate 6 adv US f °^ ^itin; t1fS StSt P^ifc^e ^ eCa thatT °3 ^ taicar) • WfWce need ^ ™ SaT/0S/r «^S ga ? ^ °' fjming down a C ete whe« you " " s om e°oT —d o^ " " ^ ^ ^ Hays to^^ff. to fill
CAB T!\rwAn»»» "j--or-oat ion. Name COFO ~ 1017 Lybch st TO - c* » Jacksan
1 win b e brin; 'ln- a car to b nississio ^ o brin ri PPL ( } a ^ oar to Mi s sissipPi# 2nd Session COUNCIL OF FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS 1017 Lynch Street URGENT Jackson, Mississippi TO: SUMNER PROJECT PARTICIPANTS FROM: SUMMER PROJECT COMMITTEE RE: ORIENTATION Your assignment for the summer begins June 21. On that date you should arrive at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, for orientation. Because of the number of volunteers working the Mississippi Freedom Summer program there will be two orientation periods. It is crucial that you attend the orientatition to which you have been assigned. There you will meet your field staff supervisor as well as the other volunteers on your working team. Oxford, Ohio, is 35 miles northwest of Cincinatti, 3° miles south of U. S. Highway 40. You will find signs on the campus directing you to the registration center. You should register on Sunday, June 21.between land 6 P.M. Dinner will be the first meal served. The orientation will end at noon on Saturday, June 27, and you will leave directly from there to your field assignment. The conference fee is ^25.00 per person, which includes registration, room, board, etc. It is hoped you will pay this fee, although we want to make it clear that noone must miss orientation simply because he can't afford it. The enclosed card must be returned immediately to the National Council of Churches, which is organizing the orientation. If you cannot attend the June 21st orientation, let us know immediately at the Jackson office. It is crucial that you make every effort to arrive at the orientation to which you are assigned. Some people are not planning to arrive in the state until July or August. We will be holding orientation sessions throughout the summer. If you cannot make, the orientation session above and plan to arrive late in the summer,, send us the date you plan to arrive. Immediately Last minute information: 1. Cars: Cars which are in the state 30, days must have Mississippi tags. This is a correction on the last memo. Please note this change. 2. Clothing: Bring cool, casual clothing. You will need only one dressy outfit. Men should not bring Bermuda shorts. Women should plan to wear skirts most of the time, and should not bring short , shorts or tight Bermudas anei slacks. 3. Bring a sleeping bag or one set of linens. h. Contact your freedom center for help on transportation to the orientation site. Also let the center know if you will be driving down. Contact the Freedom Center nearest you, even though you may not have been in touch with them before. COFO 1017 Lynch - Jackson,Miss. Overview of the Freedom Schools •— II ' The purpose of the Freedom Schools is to create an educational ex perience for students which will make it possible for them to challenge the myths of our society, to peeceive more clearly its realities, and to find alternatives—ultimately new directions for .. • action. . The Freedom Schools will consist of from 5 to 15 teachers and 35 to 50 students. They will be informal day schools, meeting in churches store fronts, homes, etc. They will avoid the "academic" class room atmosphere which characterizes their regular schools, but the Freedom-Schools will present an intensive curriculum designed to meet several different needs: I. An academic curriculum which will, insofar as possible in 6 short weeks, sharpen the students' abilities to read,write, work mathe-- matical problems, etc., but-will concentrate more on stimulating a student's interest in learning, finding his special abilities,, so that when he returns to the state schools in the fall he can take maximum advantage of the public education which is offered to him. II. The Citizenship curriculum which will concentrate on a stud^y of the social institutions which affect the students, and the back ground of the social system which has produced ua all at this time. The various sections -villi be: the Negro in Mississippi, the Negro in the North, Myths about the Negro, the Power Structure, the Poor Negro and the Poor White, Material Things versus. Soul Things, and the Movement. In these sections, the student will be encouraged to form opinions about the various social phenomena which touch him, to learn about his own particular heritage as a Negro, and to explore possible avenues for his future. Special attention at the end of the unit will be devoted to the civil rights Movement—the historicalflevelopment to this point, the philosophical assumptions underlying pressure for social change, and the issues which are currently before the civil rights Movement. III.Recreational and cultural curriculum, which will be a large part of the day will try to provide the students with relaxation from their more intensive studies and also an opportunity to ex press themselves in new ways. The program will include dancing and sports, arts and crafts, dramatics, music,- etc. The schools will run for s.Ix>weeks, with a short break in the middle for orderly staff turnover and some student changes. .The school day will concentrate on the morning and afternoon; in the evening the students will be free, and will be encouraged to join the local COFO project, helping with the Freedom Registration, voter registration, the precinct meetings, etc. The Freedom School teachers, too, will participate in these programs as far as their academic responsibili ties allow them to. The Freedom School teachers and the COFO voter registration workers should meet to plan together the most useful par ticipation of the Freedom School students, so that the- total program will contribute both intensive intellectual development and practical 'experience to make them better potential leaders of the community. COUNCIL OF FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS 1017 Lynch Street Jacfeson, Mississippi Dear Freedom School Teacher, We are happy to tell you that you have been accepted to work with us this summer on the Mississippi Freedom Schools. We are also happy to be able to introduce ourselves to you and to tell you we'll be administering the Freedom Schools this summer. Both of us are college teachers, Harold at Southern University in New Orleans • in Sociology, Staughton at Spellman College in Atlanta in History. This mailing will be the first of two which will supply you with some of the materials relevant to the Freedom Schools program. Enclosed you will find: 1. Overview of the Freedom Schools: a description of the program as it now stands 2. Notes on Teaching in Mississippi: a compilation of thoughts on Mississippi young people and your role as their teacher 3. Equipment and Materials list: what you must bring with you and what you can perhaps help us secure 4. Memo to Accepted Applicants: general information on the Mississippi Summer Project and directions for preparation 5- COFO Political program: a description of the program . e * will be working within 6. The Mississippi Fraedma.Democratic Party: an explanation of the convention challenge. You can begin your summer work by discussing this with someone in your community who is in the Democratic Party, asking him to support the challenge by getting a resolution passed at his state convention, and 'sending the results of that discussion to us. The Summer Project Staff has selected five books to read by all participants in order -that a common basis of knowledge can be aa'-umed. They are ranked In order of importance. Please read at least the first three before coming South. All are available in paperback: ouis of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois Ihe Mind of the South, W. J. Cash The Other America, Michael Harrington Stride Toward Freedom, Martin Luther King Killers of the Dream, Lillian Smith We're looking forward to working with you. For Freedom, Harold Bardenelli Staughton Lyn& COUNCIL OF FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS 1017 Lynch Street Jackson, Mississippi May 20, 1964 Dear Freedom School Teacher, Enclosed you'll find information on orientation. Please read it carefully and respond immediately. Regrettably, we will not be able to send you more complete curriculum materials before orientation. The curriculum is being printed. However, the following—together with the overview and teacher's manual which you recieved in our last mailing--will be of some help. (Remember that we expect you to follow a question-and-answer method and to regard the curriculum merely as a guide from which you should feel free to depart.) The suggested curriculum will fall into six sections: 1. An examination of the student's situation in Mississippi 2. Consideration of the situation of the Negro in the North 3- Survey of some myths and inconsistencies in the dominant "white" culture 4. A study of the power structure of Mississippi, and of the role of the Dixiecrats in Congress 5. Comparison of the plight of the Negro and the poor white 6. The "Movement" Case studies will be provided to help you make your presentation of each of these topics more concrete and vivid. Among the case studies already completed are: '1. Stat oal analyses of the Mississippi Negro's housing, health, education and economic status (COFO staff). 2. The Chester, Pa., movement (SDS) 3-, A guide to the teaching of Negro history h. Spot analyses of the Mississippi power structure (SNCC research staff) 5. Hazard, Kentucky(SDS) 6. Freedom Rides and sit-ins Other, case studies which will be part of the curriculum as presented to you in June "are: the case of John Hardy; the civil rights bill; Northern school boycotts. In addition to this core curriculum dealing with problems of citizenship and leadership, the Freedom School day will include remedial and specialized instruction in conventional academic subjects, and "the widest possible exploration of the arts. Any visual aids which you can assemble hearing on the different topics of the citizenship curriculum will be most helpful. This means magazine pictures, maps, etc. Fictional works you can locate, scripts of plays, etc., will help, too. Please also bring any teaching aids you will need for tutoring or teaching in areas of your particular skill. Snd begin thinking of any creative work you want to do with a small group. See you at the orientation. Staughton Lynd Harold Bardanelli COFO MEM0 1017 Lynch St; --— Jacksoh, Miss. TO: FREEDOM SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM: MISSISSIPPI SUMMER PROJECT STAFF RE: MATERIALS TO URIIG WITH YOU TO MISSISSIPPI 1 • Each Freedom School teacher must bring with him: (These are small items without which the Freedom Schools cannot operate and which you can purchase or secure easily by soliciting them or the funds with which to buy them). At least: 1 quire four hole stencils (A.B. Dick or Gestetner) vl typwwriter, typing paper, carbon paper .25 pencils 25 ball point pens 25 pads lined paper (preferably legal size) 5 magic markers (for making visual aids and signs) i/l pair scissors roll scotch tape package thumb tacks /stapling machine and staples paper clips -*1 item sports equipment first aid kit In addition, eqch person who has a special skill area (from teaching, remedial math to leading modern dance classes to teaching an arts-crafts skill) must bring all the materials he will need. Each teacher should choose one or more activities he could lead or teach as a specialty and bring materials to set up that program. Finally, when you receive and read the Curriculum Guide you will find numerous suggestions for visual aids, books, etc. We cannot count .on supplying any of these materials. Bring as many of the suggested materials as possible, especially for those units you particularly like. 2. Each Freedom School teacher should try to bring with him: (or send to address below if you can secure in quantity) blackboards, chalk dictionary bulletin boards prints of artistics works camera and film maps—world, U.S., Mississippi books that would interest high school students, especially that require low reading levels or that center on Negro history and thought 3. Each teacher should try to send these for distribution to the schools. Send them ahead of time to Raymond Davis, Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi. Mimeograph machines (and stencils, paper, ink, correction fluid) Tape recorders(and. tape) Phonographs(and records) Film projectors(4nd films);Strip projectors(andfilm strips) Paper (lined, unlined, poster, gonstruction paper, rolls of newsprint, second sheets, mimeo paper, carbon paper) Manilla folders and envelopes (in bulk) ADDITIONAL MATERIALS WHICH FREEDOM SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTER WORKERS MUST BRING WITH THEM: Each worker must bring: 1. Paper---Butcher paper, one roll at least for the complete summerj can be used for many projects. 2. chalk Colored or white. 3. Crayons — Can be secured through elementary schools before school vacation. 4. Paints — powdered poster paints are the cheapest also can be secured through schools. 5. Paste Regular paste or glue, wheat paste.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS WHICH WOULD BE USEFUL IF THEY CAN BE SECURED: 1. Inner tubing: gasoline stations are only too happy to give away old inner tubes. 2. B1~',1'"S of wood: lumber yards. 3. Wire-—The wire found in old telephone wire,, which is colored, can be used for many creative projects-—ask your telephone company. 4. Cardboard, colored paper, small rocks for mosaics.
The above materials are needed badly for use in arts and crafts programs. PROFILES OF' FREEDOM SCHOOLS 1st Congressional District and 2nd Congressional District (northern Miss.) 1. Columbus— School tentative. There is an apartment for 8-12 people, and additional housing for 8 in community. Estimated potential of 30 students. 3 teachers should go in on an exploratory basis to see if a school can be developed. 2. West Point— 20-30 students definite. 4 teachers needed, who will work out of Columbus. Housing for 8 in com- munity. Car needed. 3. Holly Springs— 30-50 student potential. Housing for 12-15 in one building and for 4 others in community. Church available for school. 8 teachers needed. -"-here will, be. a community center. 4. Greenwood— Housing available for 87 people. Three churches available for schools. 8 teachers needed, There will be a community center. 5. HolinesCjOiinty^- 100 students definite and already assigned'to •*-—-———-—— three schools which will meet in Lexinggon, Tchula, and Milestfen. Housing available for 60 people. A community center will operate in a church while"a new center is being built. 20 teachers needed, 6. Greenville— Housing available for 30+. In N part of town church with 6-7 back rooms available for school. In S. part of town, 6 room house is available, 30 students potential in each school. Steachers needed in ad dition to those in United Federation of Teachers. Will be community center, - 7. Issaquena and Sharkey Counties— 2-4 teachers, who will work out of Geeenville and attempt to develop a school. Must have (fast) , car," 8, Ruleville— 1 room church available for school. Housing for" 4-3. 30-50 student potential. 6 teachers needed. There will be a community center. 9. Bolivar County - definite school at Shaw with church available; possible school at Mound Bayou. Housing for 35 people. 8 teachers needed. There will be Community centers.. 10, Clarksdale— Church available for 30-50 potential students. Houisng for 35. 8 teachers needed. There will be a community center. V* ^ ^ Third Congressional District (SW) 1. Vicksburg--Baptist Academy available for school with large classroom and library available on bottom floor. 3 rooms on second floor. Housing for 15 available, 8 teachers needed. Community Center planned.
Fourth Congressional District 1. Canton—Housing available for 30. Two churches to use as schools: Estimated potential of 40 students, 8 teachers needed. 2. Rural Madison: Camden, Valley View, Pickens, Housing available T£*. g———~ for 50. Great interest. 60-100 students definite, 5 different churches, plus 7 room house in Sharon available as schools. 16 teachers needed. Com munity center in Sharon, 3. Carthage—Housing available for 25, Complex of 4 run-down abandon ed school buildings; one has an auditorium. Ball park adjoining. High Interest among students, suit to integrate public schools pending, 30-50 students expected, 8 teachers needed. There will bea community center. 4» Meridian—Baptist Seminary available for school, 12 classrooms, kitchen, piano, sleeping accomodations for 20. Adjoin ing ball field. It is located in the center of the Negro community, 60-75 students expected, 12 teachers needed. Functioning community center. 5. Clark County—Downstairs Masonic Temple available for school. 20-40 student potential, 4 teachers needed it 6 will initially live in Meridian, Car required. 6. Neshoba Gounty—Freedom school facility available in church, (recently fire-bombed), 20-30 students estimated, 4 teachers with car needed, 7. Russell—Rural Lauderdale Co. 15-20 students, some adults and younger children interested, 4 teachers with car needed who would Initially live in Meridian. Fifth Congressional District (SE) 1. Hattiesburg—Housing available for over 100. 4 schools planned in 4 churches. 50-100 students estimated, 20 plus teachers needed. Community center planned. 2. Laurel—Housing available for 14. Facility still uncertain. 3 teachers needed on an exploratory basis. 3. Gulfport—Housing available for 15. Church available for school, 30 student potential, 6 teachers needed. Community center planned. .-. " " . '• . - '-„""'' -«,'• 4. Moss Pt. —Pascagoula—Housing available for 32. 2 churches available for schools. Thirty students expected, 10 teachers needed. 5. BUoxi—School tentative. Housing for about 20 available. Estimated potential 30 students, 6 teachers needed.
Co-rtHao^ FREEDOM SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS (As of June 23)
Hattiesburg(Arthuf and Carolyn Reese) Douglas Baer Greenwood Judy Walborn Nancy Ellin ROOM: Peter Griswold Sandy Hard New Dorm W Joseph Ellin Alumnae K Rich Miller Rec. Room Anna Hartman Wendy Wilner(Wiener) Bill Hilgendorf Gloria Wise Mary Louise Loe 3rett Brenneman Eleanore Beth Moor£ Howard Iriqama Bill Ninde Ron Meservey Paula Pace Eleanora Patterson Vicksburg Arthur Reese New Dorm Basement Carlyn Reese Neil Hindman Robert Stone Elaine Singer Pat Yorck Lisa Wernert Bryan Dunlap Clarksdale Lyon Lounge Mary Jo Cronin First Floor Sandy Siegel Greenville Jane Steidenian New Dorm Basement Kathryn Quinn Pat Vail Susan Gladstone Sharon Kaplan Marie Gertge 'Nancy Schieffelin Paul Kendall IAnthony Joan O'Brien XT Joseph Youngerman Tosushi Toda Harriet Tangman Kenneth Kipnis (Larry Blum) Meridian New Dorm X \Grace Brooks Rec. Room Mark and Betty Levy Canton Walt Hackman New Dorm Basement Paul Miller Marcia Hall"-"-"v. —* Robert Dolgoff Nancy Cooper \J Ronnie de Sousa Robert Gilman Karl M. Morgan Earle Bessey III Richard Swanson Pete Rabinowitz \HiUl Bettina Dungai Pamela Thomas Diane Pachella ; Cynthia Small Gail Falk Susan Sanford Marilyn Leonard Richard Schwartz Elinor Tiderman ISandra Watts Pat "Weiland (Nancy Wright Peter Praetz ?Jo Ann Ooiman Candy Brown Page 2
Laurel Boyd 16 Gulfsport, Moss Point Gwen Robinson Florence Jones New Dorm Tom Watts Aviva Futorian Basement Marcia Moore Marylou Gillard Joe Liesner Ruleville Boyd 19 Bruce Detwiler Mary Brumder Liz Fusco Lucia Guest Holmes & Madison Christopher Hexter Alumnae N Lynn Hulse Martha Honey Parrish Kelley Devorah Rand M. Christine Powell Susan FlrmgL Gwen Comper Carthage Boyd Library Emanuel Brisker Dorothy Marie Louie Connie Claywell Betty Caystens Allan Gould Susan Ryerson Jenny Franklin Anne Marie Williams Emanuel Brisker, Jr. Pamela Parker Barbara Simon Bolivar Boyd Basement 2 Don Kamer James Bond Wally Roberts Mrs, Madeline Levine Lisa Vogel Steven Levine Jonathan Black Albert Hawfather Kathryn Pierce Nancy Smith Judy Michalox/ski Margaret Dobbie Grace Morton Jean Murphy Heather Tobis John Friedland Robert Hargreaves Lawrence Stevens Chips Sowerwi$e Joel Aber Ann Lindsay Joan Abramson Jerry Parker Holly, Springs Alumnae H Research Barbara Waller Bettina Schumann Lawrence Stevens Peter. Cummings Larry Wright Audio-Visual Joe Bateman Dann Shields Columbus, West Po:jLnt New Dorm Margaret Bobbins Neil Ekland Basemen^ Natalie Tompkins Karol Nelson Stuart Ewen Sylvie Woog Kay Pritchett Jan Hlllegas ; X^iu^LiJyC UEAAA <4 COMMETHuHT 13 ilSSIoSIFK The larg st Negro protest against disenfranchiseaent yet attempted in Mississippi enetered its final week yesterday accompanied by arrests and violence, Yale students and Si'JCC ( Southern Mon-violent Coordinating Coamiittee) workers have paid fines, spent time in jail and received be. tings from white Mississippians while working for the MississippieVote for Freedom, a mock gubernatorial election and the latest means of protest developed in the Southern civil rights campaign* The Freedom Vote is a full-scale gubernatorial campaign, to be capped by a protest ballot in Negro elairch.es Jcfovember 2 to 4> Candidates on the unofficial slate are Aaron Henry of Clarksdale, for governor, and the Rev. Edwin King of Vicksburg, for lieutenant governor, r* Henry, a 42-y ,ar-old pharmacist, is state president of the MACP. The Rev, King, a 27-year-old white lethodist minister, is chaplain and dean of students e$ Tougaloo College, The Committee of Federated Organ isations, the coordinating bod;^ for all major civil rights groups in ..ississippi is sponsoring the ballot* Although tha vote will have no effect on the official state election, Mr. Henry and the Rev, King are running as if the future govern ment of WLssissippi were at stake. Pern ps it is. The Freedom Ballot is to show that Negroes would vote if they co Id without fear of reprisal. It is also to show that they have c ndidates and a program to vote for. Campaign officials hope to stir 200,000 Negroes to par ticipate, half of the potnential voters in the state's Negro population. If they succeed, Mr, Henry and the Rev, King win have received more signatures in the Freedom Ballot than in both segregationist candidates are expected to poll in the regular election. The civil rights movement in Mississippi will have made a major, and much-needed, demonstration of strength* Bob ..bses, campaign manager for the Freedom Ballot, called for help two weeks ego, and found en immediate response at Yale, An ad hoc committee calling itself "Ycle-in-Idssissippi" dispatched 17 volunteers to Jackson in its first days of operation* It has since put about 50 Yale students in the field and raised sbout $1,100 in a fund drive, Stanford University entered the campaign shortly after Yale with 15 volunteers and a pledge to raise $1,000 a day until the end of the campaign. (The;,- live aire dy raised |4»300), Two carloads of Yale students arrived in .ississippi October 18 to dis tribute leaflets and canvass Negro residential areas* On October 23, ten more joined them, and two were arrested immediately* The first series of arrests occurred in Indianola and put 14. campaign workers in jail. They were charged with "distributing leaflets without a license," Arrests have continued steadily since then. Reports of violence began to be received only four d.ys ago, however, as the campaign appeared to enter a new phase* A Yale graduate student was attacked in Hatches hy four townspeople Thursday? two undergraduates were assaulted in H ttiesburg Wednesday, and a third in Clarksdale was struck by iolice Chief Ben Collins after se ral days of verbal attempts at intlaidation. The empcigh now needs funds more th..n physical involvement, Uts operating budget, at a $20,000 minimum, covers only campaign literature, TV and radio time, offi e supplies, bills and maintenance of campaign workers. It does not provide bail money or pay fines, and police harassment continues steadily. Some have argued that involvement in Mississippi is senseless when so much is ignored in the North* There is room for work in both places, but the need in Mississippi is urgent. The northerner has a choice to mal;e: commitment now or good intentions for the future* We ask that he take the moral alternative* The "Freedom Ballot" in Mississippi In early November the people of Mississippi will vote in a gubernatorial election which may have a substantial impact upon the fight for justice in this country. Running on the- Official ballot are two men who vow to uphold segregation in their state. On another, unofficial ballot is a man whose campaign may unite the Mississippi Negro in hope and purpose, and who should demon strate to the nation the inequities which now exist in Mississippi. The candidate on the unofficial "Freedom Ballot" is Aaron Henry of Clarksdale, a 42-year-old Negro pharmacist who is a grad uate of Xavier of Ohio and who is now president of the Mississippi NAACF. Mr, Henry was nominated in a convention held October 6th by the Committee of Federated Organizations (COFO), an organiza tion which is coordinating the efforts of all major civil rights groups in Mississippi. Campaigning for Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket is Rev, Edwin King of Vicksburg, a 27-year-old white Methodist minister who is chaplain and dean of Tougaloo College, As only a small percentage of Negroes are registered voters In Mississippi, leaders of the Freedom campaign are not expecting Henry to receive many write-in votys in the regular election November 5th. Instead they are concentrating their efforts on a mock election which they will hold in Negro churches from Novem ber 2nd-4th, They hope that half of the 400,000 potential Negro voters can be stirred to participate in the mock election. Such a number would be greater than the number voting for any of the candidates in the regular election and should thus convince many Negroes of their potential voting power. It should also demon strate to the nation that thousands of Negroes are being denied their right to vote in Mississippi. If this campaign is to succeed, however, it must have the support of people outside Mississippi, To spur this backing, COFO workers have recently sent appeals to several areas of the country. One such appeal drew such sudden and powerful response from Yale that University students have assumed much responsibility for the outcome. Already 60 students have left for week-long trips to Mississippi to assist in the campaign. One-half of the campaign problem has thereby been eliminated, but now the other half — the need for financial support — is rapidly growing In importance. The monetary situation is best described in a letter received from Bob Moses, the Freedom Ballot campaign manager: "We operate In difficult circumstances here and are desperately short of the funds necessary to operate a statewide campaign. We have set our operating budget - covering campaign literature and materials, TV and radio time, office supplies and equipment, postage and tel ephone bills, and the cost of feeding and housing workers through out the state - at |20,000 minimum ... We will not be able to utilize the basic information media, nor to print and mail out basic campaign materials, unless funds arrive almost immediately. The need is thus desperate, and we would be deeply grateful for any help that you may be able to get for us in this campaign," FREEDOM CANDIDATES MISSISSIPPI For the first time In this century, four Negroes are candidates for national office from Mississippi. One is a candidate for the Senate and three for the House of Repre sentatives . The four campaigns are being .coordinated under the auspices of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), an umbrella civil rights organization in Mississippi com prising the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), CORE, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the NAACP. All four candidates are entered in the regular Dem ocratic primary in Mississippi to be held June 2. They are running on what is be called the FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY. If they are defeated In the Democratic party, they will be able to continue their campaigns as Independents In the General Election in November. The candidacy of the Freedom Candidates Is a;-direct challenge to the lily-white one-party political structure of the state. Only 28,000 or 6.6^ of Mississippi's 4'22,000 Negroes of voting age have been registered to vote. 525,000 whites are registered voters. All the Freedom Candidates will make Negro voting rights one of the basic issues of their campaigns. The campaigns themselves will serve as the focus for Voter Reg istration activities by COFO during the coming months. For those not allowed to -register on the official books there will be a separate program: . FREEDOM REGISTRATION. The Freedom Democratic Party has set up its own unofficial voter registration books for the purpose of registering as many as possible of Mississippi's 400,000 disenfranchised Negroes. These books, known '->" Freedom Registration Books, will be managed by Freedom Registrars appointed by COFO In every county. The Freedom Registrars will have the power to ap point deputy registrars to aid them in covering the county to provide every Negro with trie opportunity to register to vote . Freedom Registration has several purposes. First, it will serve as a mechanism through which Negroes can, organ ize across the state. Secondly, It will be the focus of attempts to get Negroes registered on the official county books. Thirdly, Freedom Registration will form the basis for FREEDOM ELECTIONS to be held at the same time as the official elections in June and November. In the Freedom Elections, the only qualifications will be that voters are 21 or over, residents of the state, and registered on the Freedom Reg istration Books before the election. Whites as well as Negroes will .'.be allowed to vote. Democratic and Republican candidates will be listed together with Freedom Democratic Candidates, •, Through Freedom Registration and the Freedom Elections, it will be made clear that thousands of Negroes who are de nied the right to vote in the official elections would do so if they could. On this basis, the seating of successful Re publican and Democratic candidates will be challenged in Congress and in the Federal Courts on the grounds that a significant portion of the voting-age population has been denied the right to vote because of color or race. Thus, the Freedom Candidates will serve not only to bring- the issues to the people of Mississippi, dramatize voter discrimination, and the atmosphere of harrassment and resis tance by the official state apparatus, but will serve as a ba sis for challenging the rights of the incumbents to assume their seats in Congress. • As a further part of its political program, the Freedom Democratic Party will send a FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC- DELEGATION to the National Democratic Convention at Atlantic City -in August. The Freedom Candidates will serve as the titular heads of the Freedom Democratic Delegation. -Other delegates will be chosen through a series of meetings on the precinct, county, district, and state levels just, as In the regular Mississippi Democratic Party. Unlike the regular party machinery, however, which Is all-white, exclusive, and often dominated by White Citizens Council members, Freedom Delegates will be chosen in open meetings in* which all registered voters {whether official or Freedom registered), Negores and whites alike, will be al lowed to participate. At the National Convention, the Freedom Democratic Del egation will attempt to have the Regular Democratic Delegation unseated and the Freedom Delegation seated in its place. It * will, do this on the grounds that the Regular Democratic Del- .._ egation was chosen by undemocratic' means and that the Dem ocratic Party of Mississippi has been disloyal to the National Democratic Party. The Regular Mississippi Democratic Party split with the National Democratic Party in i960. It did not support the National Democratic Ticket selected by the National Con vention: John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. It also ..refused to support.the platform adopted by the National Convention. The Regular Mississippi Democratic Party can didates in the gubernatorial race of 1963 told the voters ; that the Mississippi Democratic Party stands .for white su premacy and against Negro voting power. The principles of the National'Democratic Party make it clear that a State party which behaves in the manner of the Mississippi Dem ocratic Party stands in violation of National Party policy. This is sufficient grounds, according to National Democratic Party rules, to, withdraw recognition of the State party. The Freedom Democratic Delegation will be pledged to support the National Democratic Ticket and the National Dem ocratic Platform chosen at the National Democratic Conven tion -•- as well as being pledged to work for the full and equal rights of all Americans. FREEDOM CANDIDATES: Below are brief biographical sketches and campaigning programs for the four Freedom Candidates. MRS. FANNIE LOU HAMER --- running in the 2nd Congres- : sional Mstrict against Rep. Jamie Whitten, Chairman of the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Agriculture. Mrs. Hamer, 47, comes from Sunflower County, the home of James Eastland, where Negroes are- 69% of the population. She is the wife of Perry Hamer, a cotton gin worker in Rule- vllle. Until 1962, the Hamers had lived for 16 years on a plantation four miles from Ruleville. On August 31 of that year," the day Mrs. Hamer registered to vote, they were told theyj would have to leave the plantation..immediately. Mrs. Hamer began working.with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee in December 1962 and has been one of the most active workers in the state on Voter Registration. On June 9,-19T53, while returning from a SNCC workshop, she was arrested in Winona, Miss., and brutally beaten with a blackjack while in jail. Mrs. Hamer opened her campaign in Ruleville on March 21. She hopes to use her campaign to ar ticulate the grievances of Mississippi's Negroes, particularly in the cotton-rich Delta, the 2nd Congressional District, where Negroes are a clear majority (59$) of the population, Mrs, Hamer constantly tells her audiences that she is only saying "what you have been thinking all along." But Mrs. Hamer plans to direct her campaign to whites as well as Negroes. It is her thesis that all Mississippians, white and Negro alike, are victims of the all-white, one-party power structure of the state. In her campaign, she explains how Jamie Whitten, from his position on the House Appropria tions Sub-Committee on Agriculture, killed a bill to train 2400 tractor drivers. Six hundred of those to be trained were white. Mrs. Hamer Is presently 111 in Ruleville (the nearest.doc tor is 10 miles away). Her condition is provoked and made more serious by after effects of the 1963 beating, from, which she has never fully recovered. JAMES MONROE HOUSTON candidate from the 3rd Congres-_ sional District against Robert Bell Williams, second in command on the interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee.' Mr. Houston, 74 years old, Is a retired machinist from Vicksburg, member of the NAACP for over 20 years. He was ar- .-.' rested In 1934 for participation In a rural district meeting called to discuss the new Roosevelt programs. He was arrested, again in Jackson in 1963 while attempting to march from a Meth odist, church to City Hall, in his opening campaign speech in Vicksburg on April 5, Mr. Houston told a crowd of 200-300 peo ple 'that he would use his campaign to show what conditions for Negroes in Mississippi are really like. He claimed active sup port in all fourteen of the 3rd District's counties and said that he would represent all the people in the District if elec ted. For this reason, he said, his election would restore honor and dignity to the state of Mississippi. REV. JOHN E. CAMERON --- candidate for the seat of William Meyers Colmer, second in command of the House Rules Committee, from the 5th Congressional District. Rev. Cameron, 31, opened his campaign in Hattiesburg on March 26, addressing an audience of approximately 200 from the .' back of an open truck. His campaign will stres jobs, education, and citizenship rights for Negroes. In Biloxi, on April 4, Rev. Cameron sailed on both state and federal governments to provide training for unskilled laborers so that they may qual ify for fulltlme and rewarding employment. He stressed the importance of a candidate running in the 5th Congressional Dis trict who would represent the entire population of the district, rather than only one racial group. Rev. Cameron is a former President of the National Baptist Student Union (1954-55), and holds a B.S. degree from Rust Col lege and a Bachelor of Theology'from American Baptist Theologica: Seminary. He is a member of the NAACP and a Friend of SNCC. On April 4, Rev. Cameron was refused entrance to a public forum in Hattiesburg unless he agreed to sit in a section reserve for Negroes. A white minister with Rev. Cameron was threatened with arrest for attempting to discuss the matter with the Chair man of the forum. At present". Rev. Cameron Is in jail, one of 66 people arrested.in Hattiesburg April 9-10 under Mississippi's new. anti-picketing lav/. MRS. VICTORIA JACKSON GRAY •--- candidate for Senate against John Stennis. Mrs. Gray, 37, of Hattiesburg, Is the mother of three children. She was one of the-first Negroes tp register in Forrest County, where Registrar Theron C. Lynn is ufider Federal indictment for refusing to register Negroes on an equal basis wit whites. In an opening campaign statement given to the press April i Mrs. Gray stressed that "Unemployment, Automation, Inadequate Housing, Health Care, Education, and Rural Development are the real issues in Mississippi, not 'States Rights• or 'Federal En croachment '. " Mrs. Gray's own emphasis during the campaign will be on the problems of education faced by Negroes In the state, * April 12, 1964 SEGREGATION, HARRASSMENT, AND ARREST FOR NEGRO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE Rev. John E. Cameron is the first Negro to run for Congress in Mississipp 5th Congressional District since Reconstruction. In attempting to play a full civic role in his own community of Hattiesburg, Rev. Cameron has had to face: SEGREGATION: On April 4, Rev. Cameron tried to attend a public legislative forum. The forum was originally scheduled for an unsegregated courtroom in the annex of the Forrest County Courthouse. After Rev. Cameron and a secre tary and two white ministers accompanying him were seated, however, the chairman of the forum entered and said that the forum was too crowded anc. would be moved to the main courtroom in the Courthouse. The main court room Is segregated. When Rev. Cameron and his party attempted to enter the second hall, they were barred from the floor of the courtroom and told that they must sit in the balcony. Rev. Cameron refused to accept this segregated seat ing, and asked to see the chairman of the forum. The chairman refused tc come out to see Rev. C.meron or to allow the latter to come In to see hii When one of the white ministers went in to talk with the chairman, he war threatened with arrest if he did not either sid down immediately or leav> Rev. Cameron said: "I refuse to go upstairs and segregate myself from the other members of this public legislative forum," and left the Courthouse. HARRASSMENT: Rev. Cameron Is constantly followed by police cars as hd moves arotu Hattiesburg. This harrassment intimidates Negroes whom Rev. Cameron tri< to approach in his Congressional campaign. On the night of April 3, Rev. Cameron was stopped by Officer Hill o: the Hattiesburg Police Department. The first thing the officer said.was, "I hope you don't have your license." Rev. Cameron replied that he was sure the officer hoped for this, but that he XA/a.s not so foolish as to be that careless In Hattiesburg. The officer let him go. ARREST: Since. January 22, 1964, Hattiesburg Negroes had maintained a picket line at the Forrest County Courthouse as part of a campaign fpr voting rights. Late in the afternoon on April 9th they were told they could, no longer picket, and when they returned on the morning of April 10 police arrested 43 picketers. Rev. C meron and 7 white ministers from various Northern states were among those arrested. The picketers were arrested und-er a new anti- picketing law pushed through the Mississippi legislature to combat picketing activities in such places as Hattiesburg. The picketers have been peaceful and they have accepted a limited area at the Courthop.se in which to picket. Moreover, their cause is just -•• Forrest County Registrar, Theron C. Lyn: is under Federal Indictment for refusing to register Negroes. Though th Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful demonstration and the righ of all citizens to vote, even a candidate for Congress can be arrested for•asserting these rights if he is a Negro in-Hattiesburg, Mississippi. - 4 - Q U 0 TES "The people generally are not yet prepared to understand their own interests in the great work to be done for themselves and their children. We shall be obliged to work for some time to come not only without the popular sympathy we ought to have, but with utterly inadequate resources. In all English speaking countries the mind. of the Intelligent Negro child revolts against the i descriptions of the Negro given in elementary books-—*' geographies, travels, histories. . . Having embraced or at least assented to these falsehoods about himself, he Concludes that his only hope of rising in the scale of respectable manhood Is to strive for whatever is most unlike himself and most alien to his peculiar tastes. And whatever his literary attainments or acquired ability, he fancies that he must grind at the mill which is provided for him, putting in material furnished to his hands, bringing no contribution from his own field; and of course nothing comes out but what is put in.!1 From an address by Dr. Edwin Wilmot Blyden, on the occasion of his inau guration as president of the Liberia College in 1881, ."Negro history is a wonderful tale. You must go back ts the ancient world to get the effect of the Egyptian Queen Nefertari, of ivory thrones, leopard skins, procession* of slaves, or the Negro poet Nosseyeb of Damascut, The grandeur was left over in Africa and so was the remote but vivid past. Yet there is a special story to be told of the Negro in our latter times and especially in our own country. Instead of thrones and kings, it will tell of the great cloud of humble folk, and the few that with infinite toil and pains managed to rise above their sujfci roundings. All kinds of adventures are there, each in its own way, with its own atmosphere and meaning. The sole reason why it should not be told after all, is that we are shy of reality.'1 From an article by Father John LaFarge' in America, The Catholi* Weekly, July 21, 1928. "A race is like a man. Until it uses Its own talents, takes pride in its own history, and loves its own memories it can never fulfill itself completely. The civilised Negro must lose his contempt for his "heathen" brethren in Africa and in the jungles ox Melanesia apd Suriname. He must learn that the fathers of the rat^ • had and still possess blessed secrets, wonderful lores, 5 - and great philosophies, that rank the jungle Negro's civilization as the equal, and in many respects the superior of any way of life that is to be found anywhere in the world, whether among white or yellow, black or red." From the book "Tom-Tom," by John W. Vandercook, published by Harper and Brothers, 1926. "Next Saturday is set apart as 'Negro Day' at the 'Century of Progress Exposition' in Chicago, with athletic sports including colored Olympic champions and a pageant at Soldier's Field called 'The Epic of a Race'. Three thousand Negro voices singing 'spirituals'. The committee in charge might have reproduced on Soldier's Field the great Sphinx that stands on the Egyptian desert. That Sphinx has an Ethiopian face, proving that the Negro race was important far back in the night of time. Many colored men and women would be more proud of the fact that one of their race once ruled over Egypt than in any modern 'spirituals', 'Green Pastures' or athletic records." From an article in the New York American by Arthur Brisbane, on August 8, 1933. - 6 - AFRICAN HISTORY Outline of a Course in Fifteen Lectures Lecture 1 Primary Sources of Information Relating to the History of Africa. Lecture 2 North Africa, The relationship of its History to the other parts of Africa. Lecture 3 The Early Empires of the Western Sudan (West Africa). Ancient Ghana from 300 A.D. to the Abu Bekr conquest during the reign of Tenkamenin in the year 1076 A.D. Lecture 4 The decline of Ancient Ghana and the rise of Mali. From the year 1076 A.D. through the reign of and death of Mansa Musa in 1332 A.D. Lecture 5 The Empire of Mali after the death of Mansa Musa, and during the reigns of Mansa Maghan, successor to Mansa Musa, and Mansa Suleiman (1336-1359), who was king of Mali during ahe visit to Mali of the famous Arab traveler and writer, Tbn Battuta, in the year 1352. Lecture 6 The rise of the Empire of Songhay, from the reign of Ali Kolon (The first Sonni Ali, 1335) to the death of the second Sonni Ali ±n the year 1492 (the year Columbus discovered, the New World). Lecture 7 The Empire of Songhajr during the reign of El Hadj Mohammed Et-Toure (Askia the Great), 1493-1528 „ - 7 Lecture 8 The decline of the Songhay Empire after the death of Askia the Great, 1538, to the invasion and collapse of the Western Sudan in the year 1590 and a hundred years afterwara. Lecture 9 The smaller kingdoms and states of the Western Sudan. Brief histories of the Mossi Empire, the Fula or Pulini Kingdom of Massina (17th and 19th Century), the Tukolor Empire of El Hadj Omar and the Mandingo Empire of Samory. The rise of the Ashanti Kingdom, 1700-1895, from the reign of Osei Tutu to the exile of Prempah, 1896, the state of Nupe (in Eastern Nigeria) and the inland kingdoms of Housa, Bornu, Kanem, Baghirmi and Wadai or Wadah. Lecture 10 The coming of the Europeans to West Africa and the beginning of the slave trade,, Lecture 11 The civilizations, nations and kingdoms of East and Central Africa* Old Uganda, Ethiopia, the Empire of Monomatapa, Zimbabwe, the old Congo and the rise and decline of the East Africa city states of Mogadiscio, Kilwa and Sofala„ Lecture 12 The formation of South Africa, the coming of the Boers and the English and the beginning of the Zulu wars in the latter part of the 18th century. The rise of the Zulu Empire under the leadership of Chaka, the death of Chaka in 1828 and Its effect on the rest of South Africa. Lecture 13 South Africa after the death of Chaka, the other Zulu wars and the nature of the Africans' resistance to European rule in other areas of South Africa, such as Bechuanaland, Basutoland, Swaziland and South West Africa. Lecture 14 The early manifestations of nationalism in West Africa and the nature of the Africans' resistance to European rule as reflected in the Ashanti wars in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), the rise, fall and exile of the famous warrior chief, Ja Ja of Eastern Nigeria, the war against French rule in Dahomey fought by Behanzin Hassu Bowelle, then king of Dahomey, the war against the French in Guinea, led by Samary Toure, grandfather of Sekou Toure, the present President of Guinea, and the emergence of a new type of non-warrior African nationalist at the end of the nineteenth century. Lecture 15 Africa in the 20th century. The rise of the new leadership, the inde pendence movements and the impact of Africa and the world, such person alities as Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika, Sekou Toure of Guinea, Tom Mboya of Kenya, Tafewa Balewa of Nigeria, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and others,, ? I 76"/, 1*v j President Lyndon B» Johnson The White House .Washington 25, D.O. ME, THE UNDERSIGNED, wish to express our concern for the lives of our compatriots who will be working in MilSlssippi this summer on voter registration projects, in Freedom Schools, on research programs and in community centers. Ten years ago the Supreme Court ruled that public schools should be desegregated "with all deliberate speed." Yet in the state of Mississippi there is not one integrated public school. This summer, then, hundreds of student volunteers will undertake a program of Freedom Schools to supplement inferior state education for Negro youth. In addition, since the summer of 1963, eight Negro youths are known to have been murdered in the South. College students working on voter registration have faced continual harassment, have been fired upon, beaten, jailed and fined excessively for their work to make American democracy a reality.. Therefore, by the guarantees set forth in sections 241, 242, and 594 of the U. S. Codes, as well as section 3052 of the U. 3. Ad ministrative Code, we urge you as President of the United States to take definitive action now* to insure federal protection for all students, black and white, Northern and Southern, working in the South, and particularly in the state of Mississippi this summer, riiiiiE ADDRESS C^SC G-/2 " £*-*-' •• ^ FREEDOM SCHOOLS COFO 1017 Lynch St., Jackson, Mississippi. NOTFS ON TFACHING IN MISSISSIPPI INTRODUCTION TO THF STJMMIR » Jane Stembridge -'- - This is ttie situation; You will be teaching young people who have lived in Mississippi all their lives. That means that they have been deprived of decent education, from the first grade through high school. It means that they have been denied free expression and free thought. Most of all — it means that they have been denied the right to question. The purpose of the Freedom Schools is to help them begin to question. What will they bg like? They will all be different - but they will have in common the scars of the system. Some will be cynical. Some will be distrustful. All of them will have a serious lack of preparation both with regard to academic subjects and contemporary issues - but all of them will have a knowledge far beyond their years. This knowledge is. the knowledge of how to survive In a society that is out to destroy you ... and the knowledge of the extent of evil in the world. Beoause thfese young people -possess such knowledge, they will be ahead of you in many ways. But this knowledge is purely negative; it is only half of the picture and, so far as the Negro is concerned,, it is the first half. It has, in a sense, already been lived through. The old Institutions are crumbling and there is great reason to hope for the first time. You will help them to see this hope and inspire them to go after it. What will they demand of you? They will demand that you be honest. Honesty is an attitude toward life which is communicated by everything you do. Since you, too, will be in a learning situation - honesty means- that you will ask questions as well as answer them. It means that if you don't know something you will say so. It meqns that you will not "act" a part in the attempt to compensate for all they've endured in Mississippi. You can.'t compensate for that, and they don't want you to try. It would -npt be real, and the greatest contribution that you can make to them is to be real. Remember this: These young people have been taught by the system not to trust. You have to be trust-worthy. It's that simple. Secondly, there is very little if anything that ; dlee and segregation. They know. I'lhat ; da ~lop ideas and associations and too thine, about segregation and prejudice. He•••*? We can say that the key to your teaching will be honesty and creativity. We can prepare materials for you and suggest teaching methods* Beyond that, it is your classroom. We will be happy to assist whenever we can. How? You will discover the way - because that Is why you.have cdme. NOTES ON TEACHING IN MISSISSIPPI - Page 2 J_HIS IS THM SITUATION * * * Charlie Cobb Repression is the law5 oppression, a way of life — regimented by the judicial and executive branches of the stats government, rigidly enforced by state police machinery, with veering from the path of "our way of life" not tolerated at all. Here, an idea of your own is a subversion that must be squelched; for each bit of intellectual initia tive represents the threat of a probe into the why of denial. Learning here means only learning to stay in your place. Your place is to be satisfied — a "good nigger". They have learned the learning necessary for immediate survival: that silence is safest, so volunteer nothing; that the teacher is the state, and tell them only what they want to hear; that the law and learn ing are white man's lm and--learning. There is hope and there is dissatisfaction - feebly articulated - both born out of the despiration of needed alternatives not given. This is the generation that has silently made the vow of no more raped moi thers — no more castrated fathers; that looks for an alternative to a lifetime of bent, burnt, and broken backs, minds, and souls. Where cre ativity must be molded from the rhythm of a muttered "white son-of-a- bitch"; from the roar of a hunger bloated belly; and from the stench of rain and mud washed shacks. There is the waiting, not to be taught, but to be reach out and meet and join together, and to change. The tiredness of being told it must be, 'cause that's white folks' business, must be met with the insistence that it's their business. They know that anyway. It's because their parents didn't make it their business that they're being so systemati cally destroyed. What they must see J,s the link between a rotting shack and a rotting America. PROBLEMS OF PRIIDOM SCHOOL TEACHING * * * Mendy Samstein The Freedom Schools will not operate out of schoolhouses. There will rarely be classrooms, certainly no bells, and blackboards only if they can be scrounged. Freedom Schools in Mississippi will be a low cost operations inee;funds will be very limited'. Furthermore, the community will have little'to offer in the way of resources. In many places, par ticularly in rural towns, there are no0rsally suitable facilities avail able either in the'white or in the Negro communities. As a result, most Freedom Schools will have to be held in church basements, homes, back yards, etc. In some towns in the state, the students are waiting with great exc:'•ement in anticipation of the Freedom Schools. In other areas, however, special interest will have to be created - the teachers them selves '-will have to recruit students before the Freedom Schools begin. In these places, you will find that you are almost the first civil rights workers to be there, and if you are white, you will almost cer tain y be the first white civil rights workers to come to the town to stay. You will need to deal with the problem of your novelty as well as with the educational challenge. There will be some advantages which will, we hope, overcome sbme of the material shortcomings. If you go to a town where COFO has had an active project for some time, you will probably be greeted warmly because there is a great deal of support for the Freedom School program. However, even if you go to a relatively new place, you can count on some things: In no community will there be a Freedom School unless the people of that community, have expressed a desire for one, have shown their support by finding' housing for staff at low cost (typically $10 a week for room and board), and have scouted out a place for a Freedom School. NOTES ON TEACHING IN MISSISSIPPI - Page 3 The greatest advantage, howevsr, will be the students and, we hope, your approach. In the final analysis, the effectiveness of the Freedom Schools this summer will depend, upon the resourcefulness and honesty of the individual teachers - on their ability to relate sympathetically to the students, to discover their needs, and to create an exciting ''learning" atmosphere. The informal surroundings, the lack of formal ''school" trappings, will probably benefit the creation of this atmos phere more than the shortage of expensive equiptment will discourage it. Attendance will not be required, so if the teacher is to have regular attendance from his students, he must offer them a program which continues to attract; this means that he must be a human and In teresting person. It is important to recognize that these communities are in the pro cess of rapid social change and our Freedom School program, along with the rest of the summer activities, will be in the middle of this ferment. The students' will be involved in a number of political activities which will be relatively new in Negro communities in MMississippi . They will be encouraging people to register to vote, crgar? .XIn. g political rallies, campaigning for Negro candidates for high public offices, and preparing to challenge the Mississippi Democratic Party* These activities will be a large pare of the experience which the students will bring to your classes. In aoe* instances', we believe that this will help the Freedom School program and you should capitalize on these experiences by re lating it to classroom work* You will need to know something about these experiences, so ycu will have the opportunity to share them""by canvasing, campaigning, distributing leaflets, «tc.;with the students. You will define your r.ols more precisely when you arrive by consulting with COFO voter registration people in the area. It will probably be important to the students that you show willingness to work with them, but you will have to ballanee this against your own need, to prepare for classes, recreation and tutoring. ^In some communities, however, the situation may go beyond this. The community may embark upon more direct kinds of protest, resulting in mass demonstrations, jail, and any number of eventualities. We have no specific suggestions to make if this situation arises. You will have to play it by ear, We can only say that if you are teaching in a Freedom School in Mississippi, you must, keep a sensitive ear to the ground so that if this should happen," you will be aware of what is happening in the community, You will have to decide if a continuing educational program is possible, and, if it is not, what modification of the program you can arrange to make this summer as constructive a period for the community as possible. REMAx, S TO THT. FRFFDOM SCHOOL TEACHERS ABOUT MFTHOD * * * Noel Day TEACHING TFCHNIQUr:S AND METHOD: The curriculum is flexible enough to pro. !de for the use of a wide range of methods in transmitting the material. The basic suggested method is discussion (both as a class and in small groups) because of the opportunities this method provides for: 1. Fncouraging expression 2. Exposing feelings (bringing them into the open where they may be dealt with productively) 3. Permitting the participation of students on various levels *+. Developing group loyalties and responsibility 5. Permitting the sharing of strengths and weaknesses of individual group members. NOTFS ON TFACHING IN MISSISSIPPI - Page h However, presentation lectures, reading aloud (by students), the use of drama, art, and singing can be utilized in many sections of the curriculum. We recommend, however, that discussion be used as a follow-up in each instance in order to make certain that the material hgs been learned, TEACHING HINTS: 1. Material should be related whenever possible to the experience of students. 2. No expression of feelings (hostility, aggression, submission, etc.) should ever be passed over, no matter how uncomfortable the subject or the Situation is. Both the students and the teacher can learn something about themselves and each'-other if it is dealt with honestly and with compassion. 3. The classroom atmosphere should not be formal (it is not a •. public school). Ways of accomplishing an informal atmos phere might be arrangement of seats in a circle, discussions with individuals or small groups before and after sessions, use of first names between teachers and students, shared field work experiences, letting students lead occasionally, etc. h. Prepare ahead of time for each session. 5. When using visual materials make certainttiey ar e easily visible to all students and large enough to be seen. (When smaller materials must bemused, pass them around after pointing out significant details'.) 6. Let students help develop visual materials wherever possible (perhaps after class for tie next session.) ?. At the end of each session, summarize what has been covered '**• •-".arid indicate briefly what will be done In the next session. 8. At the beginning of each session,, summarize the material that that was covered the day before ( or ask a student to do it;) 9. Keep language simple. 10,Don't be too critical at first; hold criticism until a sound rapport has been established. Praise accomplishments wherever possible. ,. ' • 11.Give individual help to small groups, or when students are reading aloud or drawing. 12.A limit of one hour ( an hour and a half at most) is probably desirable for any one session. This limit ean be extended, however, by changing activities and methods within a session. DISCUSSIOK~LEADING TFCHNIQUFS 1. The leader must always be aware of his role: that he is? on the one hand, only the leader and not the dominant partici pant, and on the other hand, that he is in fact the leader and responsible for providing direction and keeping the . , discussion going. 2. The use of questions is probably the best way to start and keep a discussion going. The questions should be: a., simple and clearly phrased. b, in language understood by the discussants. c, not answerable by "yes" or "no". NOTFS ON TFACHING IN MISSISSIPPI - Page 5 3. The best types of questions fall into three categories: a. Those investigating emotional response (e.g. how did you feel when? or ho\i would you feel if?) b. Those investigating motivation (e.g. why did you feel that wy? why would you do that? why do you think that?, etc.) c. Those in response to others' reactions (e.g. what do you think about what Bob said?) h. The physical arrangements can affect the quality of discussion. The best arrangement has everyone in view of everyone else. The leader then stands to introduce a visual aid so that it is visible to all. 5. The leader should be careful to be adroit at keeping the discussion on the track. 6. The leader should occasionally summarize what has been said: a. to provide continued direction b. to provide smooth transitions from one major topic to another. c. to emphasise i portant points ( and by exclusion to de-emphasize irrelevant points). d. to re-stimulate the group if discussion has lagged. 7. The leader should encourage participation by everyone. Some techniques for this are: a. direct questions to silent participants (do not press if they continue to be reticent). b. use of small groups with the usually silent members as reporters. c. praise when the usually-silent members participate. d. relating topics to their personal interests and- experiences. e. re-stating inarticulate statements for them (e.g. Do you mean? etc.) 8. The leader should be sensitive to lagging interests and over extended attention spans.(The form of activity can be changed after a brief summary of the discussion to that point. A change of activity form is often restful — particularly when it requires some physical movement, such as breaking one large group into:, smaller groups scattered throughout the room, or putting review in the form of a TV quiz game, or asking that a particular point^be dramatized, or a picture drawn, <±c.) 9. The leader should have all resource materials, visual aids, etc. at hand. < 10.The leader should always leave time for the students to ask him questions. 11.The leader should be willing to share his experiences and ^eelings , too. 12. if he leader should not insist that words be pronounced in any particular way. Respect regional variatiors (e.g. Southern pronunciation of "bomb" is typically "bum"0. The basic point is communication — if it gets the idea across it'is good. 15.-The leader should not be critical— particularly at the start. For many of the students, JUST BFING ABLF TO VFRBALIZF IN THIS SITUATION IS PROGRFSS that can easily be inhibited by a disapproving remark or facial expression. Ih,Learn the students' slang. It can often be used to ease tensions or to express tones of feeling and certain meanings more succinctly than more academic language. 15.Protect students from each other's verbal attacks and down grading (ranking, etc.) - particularly the slower or less NOTES ON TEACHING IN MISSISSIPPI- Page 6 j articulate students, USING DRAMA: Probably the best way of using the dramatic method is the extemporaneous approach. In this approach, learning lines in a formal way is avoided. A story is told, or a "let us suppose that" or a Pretend that..." situation is structured, and then parts assigned. The actors are encouraged to use their own language to interpret the story or situation and. some participants are assigned to act the part of non-human objects as well (e.g. trees, a table, a mirror, the wind, the sun, etc.) Fach actor is asked to demonstrate how he thinks the character he is protraying looks, what expression, what kind of voice, how he walks, what body posture, etc. As soon as each actor has determined the characteristics of his part, the story outlined Is reviewed again, and then drama tized. This method can permit the expression of a wide range of feelings by the students, involve their total selves, stimulate creativity, provide the teacher with insights about the students, and at the same time, get across the content material. USING SPFCIAL RFSOURCF'PFOPLF: There will be many talented people in Mississippi this summer. Some of them will be attached to projects in voter registration, communith centers and freedom schools (you). There will be other professional people wjiio will not be staying long enough to follow one project through from beginning to end, but they are eager to make what-contribution they can. Included in this categorv are physicians, attorneys, ministers, and, most notably, entertainers. In the group of entertainers will be some very eminent folk singers and comedians. (Folk Singers are being recruited on a formal basis. Lawyers are too. Physicians and ministers may, or may not be attached to specific programs.) Whatever their formal status, these people will represent a great advantage to your program. You, however will have to make the best use of them. You should try to make their contribution as gre t, and. as well-coordinated with the regular program, as you and they can make it. This will require creative thinking and prior planning for both the guests and the freedom school p ersonnel. 31! ' [BOAT . .-'•'" ., . , , • ...... : IJ •••••• • • ' ' ...'•' bsbiev ' • 3d* • ."• . . • • . a. ;• • •". ' a. •.. ,1 .'-. ..... , • • a . . -,, . »> ' .... •".-.: * .. . ' - 1 . - , \ ... ' - ....--•...-.•••• ...... -•• .; | '"• . ' ' ' ' ' • •• ' '.. - "'- .--••• . "•• • - - •• - - • ' .• -- . d Ilh . :; ©J 'be do [I J .--..'.- -a as . •'. - ©feee^l .•.•.-•. ., ...-..••. .„„._„.. II lw • v • ' •'•':• -.',.' "• - - - I i no wo J 1 .-'..- -. :•• i ' '•" - v ;• inn ...... • | • ...... •• lo q a ' . - • - . ... „ - .. .. . -•••. .... _ .... _ . > . , •• ! ':•'.' - •••-': '.'• ..''-.""...... l£i; • •':"• •;".; .'•.-.• - .': ,'•••••'•.••••' . -. /. ' '• ! ' " .••"• .a a ',." . ' 0 1 •a. • •• . ... j -.•.••..•.. ''.";'. • "10'* ; ••.":.• bee rid June 22, 1964 , MMMO RE: The disappearance of three summer project workers in Neshoba county, Mississippi, while investigating the bombing of a Negro church which was to be the site of a community center this summer. Three workers for the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) and the Congress of Racial Equality (GOES) have been reported missing since 3ate yesterday afternoon during a trip to Neshoba County in middle-eastern Mississippi, The three are Michael Schwerner, 24, and-Andrew Goodman, 20, both from Hew York City, and James Cheney, 21, of Meridian,"Miss. Schwerner and Cheney; 1 are CORE workers and Goodman a summer volun teer. Cheney is Negro, They had gone to Philadelphia, Miss,, in Neshoba County, to investigate the bombing of lit. Zion church and the beating of three Negroes there June 17, The corrimunications spokesman for the Meridian, i-iss., CORE office said that the three left Keridian at 10 a.m. yesterday with the intention of returning to Meridian before 4 p.m. They have not been heard from since they left Meridian. COFO and SNCC worker® have been in touch with all local jails and hospitals, but only the sheriff of Neshoba has said that he knows anything about the group. The sheriff said the group was arrested late yesterday afternoon on a charge of speeding in their car, but were released by 10 p.m. Ke said that he knows nothing of their whereabouts qfter their release. John Doar, a top lawyer of the civil rights division of the Justice Department, said today that the Justice Department is investigating. Earlier, a Department lawyer in Philadelphia, Miss., and an FBI agent in Jackson, the state capitol, said that they did not feel they had the authority to become involved in the search for the three workers. They said they were not sure a federal statute had been violated, Eathers of both Goodman and Schwerner have spoken to Nicholas Katzenbach and Doar of the Justice Department to demand investigation of the case. Summer Project volunteers at the orientation session at Oxford, Ohio, are telephoning and sending telegrams to their Senators and Congressmen to demand Justice Department and FBI investigation of their disappearance. Schwerner, project director at meridian, is a graduate of the ileWffork School of Social Mork. Goodman is a junior at Queens College, Senator Jacob Javits (R.-M.Y.) has-notified summer volunteers from Hew York who called him today that he is apprised of the situation in Mississippi and is in contact with the Justice Department, - 30 - /I &* I If ...... FEDERAL REMOVAL AND HABEAS CORPUS CASES ABERDEEN 1. CITY OF ABERDEEN v.. JOSEPH. jlAURER (N.D.) No. ECR6491 Maurer, a 32 year old white COFO volunteer, was arrested December 8, 1965 at Tom's Restaurant when he requested service along with Mrs. Warren Galloway, a Negro. The res- tauranteur's wife, Mrs. Riner, attacked Maurer with a broom handle and forced him outside. Police officers arrived shortly thereafter and jailer Maurer for disturbing the peace. He was released on $500 bond. Petition for removal filed December 14, 1964. An action, Pilwprth..v... Riner. (see below) is now pending in 5th Circuit against Tom's restaurant. AMOEg 2. CITY^OF AMORY V.. ESSIE CABR,. ADELL HOWARD AM) AlFDREWJaOORE, No. ECR64gO (N.D7)' Carr, Howard and Moore are Negro citizens of the City of Aberdeen. August 25, 1964, they were talking to Negro resi dents of a federal housing project in Amory about registering to vote. They were arrested subsequently to having been "picked up", questioned and released by police and charged with using "offensive language." Released, on #100 bonds each. Petitions for removal filed. September 8, 1964. Motion to remand filed September 14, 1964. Briefs submitted-. Ord remanding cases to state court entered February 8, 1965° Notice of appeal to Fifth Circuit filed February 12, 1965. ANGUILLA 5. .LOUIS GRANT. V... TOWN P.F ANGUILLA . (N.D. Miss.) Western Division - Crim Action 4- ROBERT .WRIGHT V._ TOWN OF ANGUILLA Nos„ 4373, 4374 Grant and Wright were arrested in Anguilla, Sharkey County, 8/11/64 on a charge of littering. COFO workers, they were distributing handbills urging Negroes to register to vote. They were held in the county jail in Rolling Fork until the next day, and were not permitted to make a phone call. They were released 8/12/64 on $200 cash bond; trial set for 8/26. 8/24/64 petition for removal filed in federal court. Motion to remand filed 8/29/64. No hearing date set yet. BATESVILLE 5. BENJAMIN GRAHAM V.. CITY OF^ATESVILLE^ ET_AL (N.D. Miss) No. 6454 6. CLAUDE WEAVER V. CITY OFJBATESVILLE,_ET AL (N.D. Miss) - No. 6453 8/3/64 Weaver and Graham, COFO volunteers, were arrested in parking lot of Panola.County Courthouse, where they were taking names of potential voter registrants who could not register because registrar's office was closed. They were charged with failure to leave the courthouse and obstructing an officer and each released on payment of $200 cash bond, pending trial in J. P. Ct., Panola County, 5th beat. 8/7/64 petition for removal filed. Motion to remand filed 8/18. Brief in support of remand filed 8/28. Brief in opposition Batesviller. •- Continued,„ filed 9/19= Order entered 8/7/64 enjoining and restraining defendants from prosecuting petitioners. State officials, notwithstanding removal, went ahead and tried defendants in state court on August 7» 1964. Defendants directed to appear in Federal District Court at Oxford August 19, 1964 to show cause why they shouldn't be held in contempt. Motion to dis solve injunction and temporary restraining order filed 8/19/64. Final order exonerating them of contempt entered August 24, 1964. District Court in sane order held state court action null and void. December 30, 1964, Judge Clayton entered order remanding cases to state court. Notice of appeal to 5th Circuit filed December 30, 1964. 7. STATE jOF MISSISSIPPI V._ CYNTHIA E. WASHINGTON^ No. DCR6460(A) ' (N.D.) Cynthia, a 22 year old Negro COFO worker, was arrested September 16, 1964 by Panola County Sheriff Earl G. "Mother" Hubbard while driving. Charged with speeding, reckless driving and running a stop sign. September 17, 1964, she was tried in the J. P» Court for the 5th District. Her out-of-state attorney was not permitted to appear on her be half and Cynthia was summarily held in contempt during trial because she conferred, during recess and with permission of judge with her attorney. She was convicted for 3 traffic charges and contempt, fined $300 and 90 days for speeding; $100 for reckless driving; $250 and 90 days for running stop sign and 60 days for contempt. Bond was set at total of $2400 by J. P. "Flash" Gordon. After trial, counsel informed prosecuting attorney that sentence for contempt exceeded statutory maximum. It was thereafter reduced to 1 day in jail and #50 fine. Bond was reduced to $1200. Cynthia remained in jail. Appeal filed to County court in .fojrma pauperis. Petition for removal and motion to reduce bond filed* Septem ber 22, 1964. Judge Clayton ordered her released September 24, 1964 on total of $400 bond. Motion to remand filed October 2, 1964. Amended petition for removal filed October 23, 1964. Motion to remand amended petition filed November 12, 1964. 8. STATE OF MISSISSJPPI V...MORTON_THOMASt__ NO., DCR6458(a) (N.D.) Thomas, a white COFO volunteer arrested September 17, 1964 while attending trial of Cynthia Washington. Thomas, having observed a fellow COFO worker being held in contempt inquired of Sheriff amount of bond. Prosecuting Attorney "Cliff" Finch was standing nearby and began questioning Thomas about his COFO activities. Thomas refused to answer some of the questions and Finch ordered Sheriff Hubbard to arrest him. Finch informed Thomas he was arrested for failure to cooperate with an investigation. The next day he was formally charged with resisting arrest and conspiracy to commit a breach of the peace by inciting others to breach the criminal laws of the State of Mississippi. Thomas was tried before J P Ct. "Flash" Gordon September 19, 1964 and sentenced to 45 days and $250 fine. Appeal filed to county court and Thomas released on $350 bond. Prosecution for conspiracy now pending J P Ct. Thomas out on $100 bond. Petition for removal filed September 23, 1964. Motion to remand filed October 2, 1964. Amended petition for removal filed November 5? 1964. Motion to remand amended petition filed November 12, 1964. 9- STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. V., BRUCE PALMER, No.6459(A) (N.D.) Palmer, a 22 year old white COFO volunteer, arrested September 16, 1964 by Sheriff Hubbard in the City of Batesville -2- Batesville - Continued and charged with 4 traffic offenses. (See Cynthia Washing ton's case above.) He was given total sentence of 210 days in jail and $500 fine. He was held in Panola County jail under $1400 bond. Petition for removal filed September 22, 1964. Order reducing bond to #400 entered September 24, 1964 Motion to remand filed October 2, 1964. Amended petition for removal filed October 23, 1964. Motion to remand amended petition filed November 17, 1964. 10. CITY, OF BATESVILLE...V... BRjJgPON ET AL February 24, 1965, 12 persons engaged in peaceful demon strations arrested on 3 charges: failing to obtain per mission to march; blocking public sidewalks; disturbing the peace - carrying signs and singing. February 27, 1965 all found guilty in Mayor'1 s Court of Batesville of failing to obtain permission to march and disturbing the peace; trial on third charge - blocking public sidewalks - postponed. Fines of $25 and sentences of 30 days, suspended were im posed and peace bonds of $250 required. Appeal bonds set at $500 each. March 3, 1965: Petition for Writ of Error Coram Nobis, motion for reduction of bail and to set aside peace bonds, paupers affidavits and notices of appeal filed In Mayor's Court; petition for writ of habeas corpus and. motion for bail pending appeal filed in Circuit Court of Panola County; petition for writ of habeas corpus and motion for bail for stay of state court judgements filed in Federal District Court; order to show cause why writ should not issue returnable March 5- March 5, city lowered appeal bond to $50o March 12 petition for removal for remaining charge (blocking sidewalks) filed. 12 April, 1965, habeas petition and appeal on merits from Mayor's Court convictions to be set in Circuit Court. BELZONI 11. STATEJ)i^MISSISSIJPI.V.JpAVID CARPENTER, HENRY_WARE, WILLIE THOMAS and JOSEPH ME'TU.S". Tist. Ct.* GCR 64104) COFO staff persons arrested 10/3/64 for allegedly dis tributing handbills inviting Negro citizens of Belzoni to attend a meeting at the COFO house to discuss police brutality problems. They were charged with criminal syndicalism and. jailed under $1000 bond each. Following federal removal and before surety bonds could be obtained to release prisoners transferred to federal custody in Oxford jail, one petitioner, William Ware, was severely beaten by the Sheriff while in jail, knocked uncon scious and rushed to Memphis hospital with brain concussion. Motion to dismiss petition for removal filed 2/17/65° 12. STATE OFJttSSISSIPPIjr. R0BML BASS^ WILLIAM JjTARE^ELLIS JAGKSOTand JQE LEWIS.CTIGLEPT*(U.S.Dist ""CtV - GCR 64102)" October 15, 1964, 4 more COFO staff persons were arrested in Belzoni, Humphreys County while merely walking down public streets with leaflets in their hands urging Negro citizens to join the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. They were jailed and charged with the offense of criminal syndicalism under Senate Bill 2027 of June 11, 1964, October 19, 1964 a preliminary hearing held and petitioners ordered bound over to grand jury which meets in February, 1965. Bond was set at $1000 for each defendant. Petitions for removal filed Federal District Court 10/27/64 along with Motions to reduce bail. Hearing on bail Wednesday, October 29th. District Judge Claude Clayton re duced bail to $500 for each petitioner. Surety bonds -3" Belzoni - continued obtained for petitioners' release. Motion to dismiss petition for removal filed 2/17/65° •Willi 1.1 Ware, after the case had been removed to federal Ct., was placed along with other defendants in the Oxford, Miss, jail ponding release on bond.. While there the sheriff knocked Ware unconscious with a gun butt. He was rushed to Memphis hospital A civil damage suit and/or other action is planned. 13. STATE OF MJSSLSSIPH V. HENRY WAIffi, JOSEPH LEE^. WILLIE THOMAS,_ DAVID CARPENTER, JOETEWIS S^TIGllTE^_ROBERT^ BASS^ ELLLS JACKSON; and. WILLIAM,. WARE T"GCR 64103 The eight petitioners - the entire COFO staff in the City of Belzoni were in jo.il on criminal syndicalism charges when they were charged with the additional offense of "destroying public property." The jailer alleged that petitioners had broken a chair in the cell and had marred the wall with "freedom slogans." They were tried while in jail without counsel, convicted and sentenced to 6 months in jail and $100 fine. Bond in the amount of $1000 was set for each person. October 27, 1964, petitions for removal filed Fed.eral District Court. Hearing to reduce bail held October 29. District Judge Clayton reduced bond to #200 for each person. Surety bonds obtained. Motion to remand filed 2/17/65. 14-• STATE OF MISSISSIPPI v.., RICHARD S.IMPS0N Simpson, a white student from Massachusetts doing volun teer work with COFO arrested in Belzoni in November for the offense of "wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously receiving personal property, that is, one bundle of railroad box car seals which said property was feloniously taken away from Cathy-Williford Jones Lumber Company knowing the same to have been so taken, in violation of §2249 Mississippi Code of 1942." Simpson indicted by grand jury and arraigned first week in February when counsel informed State he had prepared petition for removal, charges dropped. 15. CITY. OF. BELZONI v.. CHARLES. EDWARD MYLES, NO. GCR 6498 (N.D.) 16. CITY OF BELZONI v. DORETHA MYLES, NO. GCR 6499 (Negro) Charles Myles, 15 year old, left the home of his parents to go to the five and ten cent store. Charles was wearing a pin identifying him as sympathetic to COFO. Approached by police officer who inquired, about his authority to wear pins, had. pins ripped from clothing and taken to jail; charged with wilfully and unlawfully disturbing the peace in the presence of two or more persons (September 26, 1964). Bail set at $100; trial scheduled in Mayor's Court 10/5/64. Pe tition for removal filed 10/8/64. Motion to remand - 10/13/64; brief filed in support of motion 10/26/64. Brief in opposition filed. Notice of appeal filed February 18, 1965° Case now in process of being settled Doretha, a 30 year old Negro, on Saturday, September 26, 1964 heard that her brother Charles had been arrested. "Crossing the street to where a group of people, in cluding two police officers, were standing, one of the officers said "Move along or I will arrest you." She asked why but received no answer. She began to walk away, but as she turned the corner the Chief of Police overtook her in his car, and took her to jail asking her how much she was paid, to get into a mess. She was charged with wilfully and unlawfully disturbing the peace in the presence of two or more persons, jailed; bail set at #100. Trial in Mayor's Court 10/5/64. Petition for removal filed 10/8/64; motion to remand entered 10/13/64. Judge Clayton motion to remand sustained. 2/10/65° Notice of appeal filed 2/10/65° Case now in process of being settled. -4. CANTON 17. (14 defendants) CAPOLE MERITT^ET AL v. STATE OF MISS. (S. D. MISS) 1/23/64 - 8 defendants arrested while distributing leaflets and charged with disturbing peace and publishing libel. One defendant charged with contributing to delin quency of minor. Two defendants arrested week of January 16 on charges of disturbing peace predicated on alleged, intimidation of a Negro woman who refused to support the boycott. 1/24/64 - Carole Merritt, Vassar graduate working for SNCC, arrested for published libel and contributing to de linquency of a minor 2/7/64 - two COFO workers arrested for disturbing the peace, for allegedly intimidating a Negro seeking employ ment at a boycotted restaurant. Defendants above tried Municipal Court of Canton 2/3/ 64, except those arrested 2/7/64 - tried 2/10/64. Each was sentenced to 6 months and #500 fine for each offense. Bond of #500 per charge set. Defendants spent over a month in jail because unable to make bail. Petitions for removal filed June, 1964. Answer and motion to dismiss and remand August 7, 1964. Hearing Fed. Dist. Court August 14, 1964. Cases remanded, August 24th. Judge Cox informally ordered on request of Attorney Hall remands stayed until October 1. October 7th Notices of Appeal filed. However, state forfeited bonds and aleged Notice of Appeal not timely taken. In majority of cases, new petitions for removal filed Jan 4, 1965° Hearing date on remaining cases in state court to be set January 4, 1965° 18. (52 defendants) EARNEST L. ALEXANDER,. ET AL V.. STATE OF . MISS. (S. D. MISS) 5/29/64 - Mass arrests occurred during Canton "Freedom Day: when Negroes left Mount ZIon Baptist Church to walk to the courthouse to register to vote. Following the arrests, defendants were held incommunicado for 2 days. 25 are charged with parading without permit; 24 with picketing; 2 with obstructing sidewalk. One defendant, McKinley Hamblin, was beaten unconscious, hospitalized, and later charged with d-isturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Trial set for 6/8/64. Petition for removal filed. June, 1964. Answer and motion to remand filed 7/24/64. Hearing on remand held 8/14/64. Cases remanded December 20, 1964. Notice of Appeal filed. Motion to consolidate cases on appeal granted December 23, 1964. 19° STATE OF MISS., v. SOLOFF. (S.D. MISS) Nos. 3562, 3564, 3566 8/1/64 - Rabbi Soloff and 5 COFO workers arrested under Canton ordinance prohibiting distribution of printed informa tion without permit. Defendants were passing out Freedom registration forms. Petition for removal filed August 3, 1964. Hearing set before Cox on December 28, 1964 as to Foner, Manoff and. Soloff. Petitioners submitted affidavits in support of petition as demanded by Judge Cox. State's affidavits awaited. 20. STATE QF MISSISSIPPI, v.. C..0... CHINN (S.D. MISS) - No. 3602 Chinn, a local person active in civil rights was re indicted on concealed weapons charge by grand jury of Madison County while serving out a 6 months sentence on same charge. Preliminary motions filed state court. Case removed to federal court December .._._,, 1964. Answer filed 12/28/64. Order remanding case entered 1/2/65° Notice of Appeal filed. -5- Canton - continued GEORGE 21. STATE QF MISSISSIPPI V. .WASHINGTON, JR. (J.P.Ct., Madison Co) 9/17/64 - defendant arrested, charged with carrying con cealed weapon. Out on $750 bond. Trial set for 9/21/64. Petition for removal filed 9/28/64. Affidavits in support of removal petition being prepared. 22. STATE V.W....GE0RGE.,RTOQNI). (USDCS) - No. 3647 Raymond, COFO project director in Canton, arrested for interfering with officer October 17, 1964 when he went to aid of COFO worker whose car was stalled in downtown area and who had been given a parking ticket. Jailed and later released on $500 property bond. Petition for removal filed federal district court November 2, 1964. Answer filed 12/7/64. No hearing date set. • 23. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI V. RAYMOND (S.D. MISS - NO. 3700) STATE" OF MXSStSSipPTVr.. DEIATT (S.D. MISS - NO. 3653) sMTJlWMss^siPjgi. v....PAIM; (S.D. MISS - NO. 3657) Petitioners, COFO workers at Canton, were active in ASC elections held December 3, 1964. Delott and Darden were poll watchers and were arrested for distrubing the peace by refusing to obey an officer. Bail was set at $250 each. Petitions for removal filed 12/7/64. Raymond went to pick up a COFO worker at polling place when he was arrested. While turning car around he went onto parking lot of Root Beer Stand. Arrested for tres passing and bail set at $500. Trial set for 12/7/64. Raymond failed to appear and was convicted. Notice of Appeal filed. Petition for removal filed 1/16/65- 24. 3TAJEB Q$.,MiS&^J:.:mm&-ERI0.;B0RTjDN;:*. (S. D. MISS. Criminal Action 3554) 25. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI :7.,'jSTEHffiBgLJLV SMITH 7/15/64 - Morton, Negro, and Smith, White, were driving from Jackson to Canton, Mississippi with two other persons, both Negro. Smith was driving a rented pickup truck, carry ing voter registration raterial for use in Greenville and Greenwood. Outside of Jackson the city police stopped the vehicle and gave Smith a summons for improper license, later holle prossed by city attorney. Truck was later followed and stopped by an unidentified person who refused to state his official capacity. Smith received a speeding summons; the two Negro passengers were told to walk back to Jackson (over, 10 miles) ; Smith and Morton were thffih taken in separate cars to the Madison County Jail in Canton, after Morton had been kicked, punched, and beaten with a gun by two of the Mississippi officials. Smith, in police car, was beaten with gun and flashlight. 7/16/64 at arraignment in Madison County Justice of the Peace Court, Morton was charged with interfering with an officer and resisting arrest. Smith was charged, with reck less driving and resisting arrest. They were released on $150 bond. Petitions for removal filed 7/29/64. Hearing 12/28 re Smith. CARTHAGE 26. STATE .OF ..MISSISSIPPI. V. CLYDE HARVEY (NO. 3624 - S.D. MISS.) Harvey, a local Negro in Leake County, arrested 9/11/64, for possession of intoxicating liquor. Harvey was active in the COFO summer project and he recently had given a party for white and Negro summer volunteers where he had served beer. Police found two cans of beer in his home in a search during his absence. Harvey was never given a trial -6- Carthage - Continued in court but merely entered an informal plea before the Justice of the Peace Jack Adams on his lawn. No trial date was set and Harvey asked the Justice of the Peace on three occasions when his trial would be and what his punishment was but was told not to come back. He was charged July 9, 1964. Was re-arrested September 9> 1964, told he had been sentenced to 90 days in jail and $500 fine and that time to file notice of appeal had passed. Harvey denied he had ever had a trial and stated that he did not know that he had been sentenced. ' September 22, 1964, petition for leave to file writ of error coram nobis in Circuit Court of Leake County, Mississippi, filed in Supreme Court of Mississippi, re questing that Petitioner Harvey be immediately released on bail and alleging that he'had been tried in absentia, if at all. Immediate action requested on the petition, which was refused by the Supreme Court of Miss., which on October 15 dismissed the motions for coram nobis and. for bail. October 7, petition for removal filed in the U S District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson Division along with motion to set and/or to reduce bail and prayer for habeas corpus. All relief denied by Judge Mi.ze. Hearing on petition for removal originally set for October.12 in the federal district court at Meridian, but delayed until October 14, at which time Judge Mize had full hearing on petition for removal, habeas corpus, and bail. State's motion to remand filed October 12 granted. Notice of appeal from the order sustaining the motion to remand and from de nial of bail filed October 19° Motion for stay pending appeal filed in the Fifth Circuit, October 20 along with application for bail pending appeal. Hearing on appeal from denial of habeas corpus November 9, 1964, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Upon suggestion of Judge Bell, further exhaustion of state remedies attempted. Petition for writ of error coram nobis completed and taken to Justice of Peace Jack Adams in . , Carthage for filing. Justice Adams refused to accept papers, said he was "through with Clyde Harvey," threatened George Bradley, U of Penn law graduate, and ran him off his land. Fifth Circuit on November 10 ordered Clyde Harvey released : pending final decision on the merits. January 12, 1965•5th Circuit reversed on merits and held that Harvey's rights under the 14th Amendment had been breached. In a landmark decision, Court extended given case to misdemeanors. 27. A....J.. LEWIS V.. M/iRJORIE COLLIER, AITO CARRIE COLLIER NO. 3647 T/U.S. Dist. "Court, S.1T.y""~ Mr. Lewis, a Negro resident of Carthage, Leake County, is the father of 6 year old Debora, the lone Negro pupil in recently desegregated Leake County schools.. After Debora enrolled Mr. Lewis was fired from his job at a Carthage Lumber company and received several threats. October 17, 1964, Mr. Lewis was informed by the Colliers, his landlords,, that he would have to move from his rented house. He was ordered to vacate the premises on October 20, 1964. October 25,.he tendered month's rent but was refused. Rent again refused on November 2, 1964. November 3, 1964, summoned to Justice of Peace Court to defend an eviction action brought by Colliers. November 5, 1964, petition for removal filed in federal district court. Though action is still pending, Colliers have accepted rent for last two months. No answer on hearing date set. CHARLESTON 28. STATE...V.... STOKELY, CAMCHAEL - DCR 6430 Carmichael, COFO project leader, arrested July 14 on Highway 32 by Constable Slaton of Tallahatchie County who -7- Ch_arl,e.stpn - continued claimed he'd followed Stokely for several miles and that he'd been driving 90 mph. Stokely denies all allegations and states that he was arrested immediately upon leaving a gas station. Charged with speeding. Petition for removal filed July 17, 1964. No answer. OLARKSDAL.E , 29. MAPY_BROOKS, MARY DIXON,, and, IRMA ..JEAN MILLER, v. CITY OF CLAMSDALE - TNTD. MISS)"" DCR 6451 7/20/64 - Arrested for.trespass when they sought service in the hertofore "white" section of the. Hamburger Cafe on Issaquena Avenue in the City of Clarksdale and released on bail, $51 each. 7/23 trial in police court (not a court of record),, entered nolo, pleas and were fined $100. each. Released on appeal bond of $202 each pending trial in Coahoma County Circuit Court. 7/28 petition for removal filed. Motion remanding filed September 17, 1964. Brief in support of remand September 28; brief in opposition filed December 28, 1964. 30. MARIE. GERTGE V..r CITY OF CLARKSDALE; (N.D.MISS) NO.DCR 6448 7/8/64 - 19 year old White COFO worker in Clarksdale city hall to observe a criminal trial was refused permission to enter the courtroom and retired to wait in a stairwell, where she was arrested and charged with taking a photograph in city hall. At 7/13 arraignment, she pleaded not guilty. Case continued to 7/25• 7/22 Petition for removal filed. Motion to remand filed on or about 7/29° Brief in support of remand motion filed 8/15°. Brief in opposition filed 9/15° Order remand ing entered December 31, 1964. Notice of appeal filed December 29, 1964. 31. WILLIE. G0.0D.LOE V._ STATE OF .MISS,. (N.D. MISS) DCR 6450 7/8/64 Reverend Goodloe was put in Coahoma County jail in Clarksdale and charged with selling cotton subject to a landlord's.lien. Bail set at $1,000. Petitioner, about 2 years active in civil rights activities, has been harassed by having criminal suits of a similar nature brought against him. He was forced twice to settle claims he alleges he did not owe for a total of $348.70. He owed $25. With full knowledge of the county prosecutor, white local counsel visited Goodloe in jail. Goodloe, however, chose to retain volunteer lawyer. Petition for removal filed 7/27° Motion to set bail filed 7/27, granted same day. Bail fixed at $300. Habeas granted 7/27° Released on payment of $300 7/28. Motion to remand filed 8/28. Brief in support of remand filed 9/15• Affidavit in opposition to motion filed August 31, 1964. Brief in opposition to remand mailed 12/21/64. ' 32. STATE OF MISS._ V. JBETOgaTD J_._, D,°__ RAYFORD (Coahoma (N.D. MlSSj"'* Civil Action 1$6.7_ZZ County Circuit) Defendant, active in summer project, was arrested 6/24 in Clarksdale and charged with drunken driving and reckless driving, both of which he flatly denies. At trial in Municipal Court in Clarksdale, 7/2/64, Judge Connell refused to permit out-of-state volunteer lawyers to participate. Rayford pleaded npJLo, was found guilty on first count, and fined $110. Appeal bond of $220 posted, trial de..npvp. Petition for removal filed 7/13/64. Motion"to* remand filed. In chambers 9/17, Judge Clayton indicated that since, -8- CParkjsdeQ.^e - continued in his belief, the removal petition was improperly-filed, state court proceedings are not stayed. Jack Young suc ceeded in getting appeal issue clee,red up and in getting Reverend Rayford's license returned pending determination of case. 33° .WILLIE .LEE SCOTT,. ET AL V COUNTY. OF COAHOMA.,.(Betty Ruth Brown, Willena Parker, Helen McLaughlin, James R Sims) (N.D.MISS) DC 6436 Plaintiffs, 5 Negroes, arrested 8/2/63 at lunch counter in Walker's Walgreen Drug Store after being refused service and asked to leave. Charged with trespass, under Mississippi Code §3, released on bond. Petition for removal filed 8/5/64, motion to remand filed 8/16/64. Brief in support of remand filed September 18. Brief in opposition to remand filed. 34. CITY OF. CLARKSDALE. V.. STOKELY., CARMICHAEL (N.D .MISS) DCR 6427 July, 1964 - Head of Greenwood COFO office arrested in Clarksdale as he left COFO house. After abusive languge, Carmichael was jailed and refused permission to make phone call. Charged with failure to signal when turning. Released upon payment of $18 bond. Trial set for 7/16. 7/15/64 petition for removal filed in federal district court, Delta Division. Motion to remand filed 7/21/64. No • hearing date set. COLUMBUS. 35° HOWARD B. GLUSHiJOT^WARREN GALLOWAY^ JOEL_BERNARD and STEVEN .FRASER .VT1[TATE WlMlWlS'SlWl"TO "MISS)' Cr.Act ECR6434 On 7/1/64 GTushakow, e. white SNCC worker, was arrested and charged with improper driver's license, registration, inspection stickers, and passing on the right. On 7/8/64, the three co-petitioners, also SNCC workers, were arrested while canvassing voter registrants, and charged with trespass. Petition for removal filed 7/9/64. Motion to remand filed July 25, 1964. Brief in support of motion filed January 4, 1965, Brief in opposition filed January 1965° 36. STATE OF MISS. V. JOHN QUINN BRISBEN (N.D .MISS. )?lmS?cSn10n White Chicago teacher working for COFO arrested 9/1/64, at road block on Highway 82, charged with improper license and tag, and failure to have Mississippi inspection sticker. He had valid Illinois license and was within time limit for nonresident drivers. Trial set for 9/5/64 Lowndes County, 5th Beat, J P Ct. Petition for removal filed 9/3/64 in Eastern Division, Northern District of Mississippi. Motion to remand filed October 14, 1964) 37 • STATE. OF... MISSISSIPPI. V... HOWARD. SCHULMAN (N.D. MISS ECR 6486) 10/31/64, Schulman, a White volunteer worker with the freedom vote campaign, was arrested while passing out leaf lets on the "freedom election," charged with distributing leaflets without permit and disorderly conduct. Released on $400 bond. Removal petition to Fed. Dist. Ct. filed November 5, 1964. Motion to remand and brief filed January 4, 1965, Brief in support of remand filed 1/6/65° 38. STATE OF .MISSISSIPPI V._ RICHARD PHILLIPS Phillips, a White student at Southern Illinois University, arrested October 31 in Negro cafe while passing out freedom -9- Columbus. - continued ballots. Charged with distributing leaflets without permit. Bond set at #200. Removal petition filed November 5, 1964. Motion to remand and brief filed January 6, 1965° i 39- CITY OF COLUMBUS. V., STUART EWEN (N.D. MISS) NO. ECR 6466 Ewen arrested September 13, 1964 on Highway 82 near Columbus, Mississippi, by highway patrolman and charged with driving without valid drivers' license. Released on $200 cash bail. Trial In Justice of Peace Court, Lowndes County set for September 17, 1964, continued until September 22, 1964, Petition for removal filed September 22. Ewen, a summer volunteer with New York drivers' license had just returned to Mississippi via Greyhound bus on the morning of his arrest.. Was arrested by a patrolman who has harassed civil rightsM workers in the area all summer. Motion to remand filed October 15, 1964. Brief in support of motion filed 1/6/65• 40. ".CITY, OF COLUMBUS V.,,MIKE,ILIGSON (DCND, NO. ECR 6532) Higson, a citizen of Great Britain and a COFO volunteer, was arrested in the City of Columbus 1/28/65 while passing out leaflets on the public sidewalks in front of the Ira E Hunt High School. The leaflets urged Negro students to attend a mass meeting.that night. Petitioner was asked to leave by the principal, he did but was arrested a few minutes later. He was charged with distributing leaflets without a permit and released on $200 bond. Petition for removal filed 2/2/65° Motion to remand filed 2/3/65 along with supporting brief. 41. CITY,,,OF COLUMBUS,,V.., SEARS BUCKLI. (N.D. MISS, NO. ECR 6489) Buckly, a 19 year old. Negro who lives in Canton, Miss., was in Columbus to install radios in cars used by COFO. On November 24, 1964 while driving through city with Hamburg, white COFO worker from Vermont, they were stopped and after interrogation charged with vagrancy. November 25, 1964 were convicted. Appeal bond of $201 posted on November 28. Case removed around 11/30/64. Motion to remand filed 1/6/65 along with supporting brief.. 42. CITY, Q.F .COLUMBUS. V.. .HAMBURG (N.D. MISS, NO. ECR 6490) Hamburg, a white COFO worker from Vermont in State of Mississippi for week was stopped in Columbus on charge of im proper driver's license and license plates 11/24/64. Bail of $ 400 set on 11/28/64, on demand of Attorney Jones and was released. Case removed 11/30/64. Motion to remand and brief filed 1/4/65° 43. STATE, OF .MISSISSIPPI, V., DOVE GREEN (USD CT. NO. ECR 6520) Green, a White COFO worker, was arrested 12/28/64 In the City of Columbus while accompanying Negro citizens to the county courthouse to register to vote. He was charged with vagrancy and. released on $200 bail. Petition for removal filed 1/13/65° Motion to remand filed 1/19/65° Brief in support of remand filed 1/20/65° 44. JAN_HI.LLE.GAS_ V., JOE SAMS,. JR.,_„ET_ AL (Habeas Corpus) Petitioner arrested for vagrancy on 12/28/64 while peace fully assisting voter applicants in county courthouse. 1/5/65 petition for writ of Habeas Corpus filed in Federal Court in advance of State Court proceeding; Order denying petition entered on grounds state -Remedies not exhausted; petitioner released on recognizance at "request" of Judge Clayton; certificate of probable cause signed- by Clayton; Notice of appeal filed. Appeal docketed. 1/22/65, 5th Circuit denied motion for summary reversed.. 2/2/65 appeal argued in 5th Cir. -10- CRAWFORD 45c STATE OF MISSISSIPPI V. ..GORDON WILLIAMSON (N.D. MISS) ECR6476, 6477,6478 46. STATE_0|^IS^SSIPPIjr^RpY ROBINSON (N.D. MISS.) ECR 6474, 6476 October 13, 1964, Williamson, White student from Union Theological Seminary and Robinson, local COFO worker, arrested while passing out freedom ballots. Williamson charged with improper driver's tag and no inspection sticker; Robinson with interfering with officer. Next day, both arrested for creating public disturbance arising out of previous day's arrest. Petition for removal filed 11/5/64. Motion to remand and brief filed 1/4/65° DREW , ^7« JOE B., .SMITH.V...STATE. OF MISS. (N.D. MISS.) GCR 6460 On 8/13/64 Smith, a white COFO worker from New York, was arrested for "trespassing on,school property" while talking peaceably with two Negroes on Hunter High School playground in Drew. At 8/14/64 trial in Mayor's Court, he was charged and convicted of "disturbing the peace by conduct which might have lead (sic) to a breach of the peace," and sentenced to 3 months on the Sunflower County Farm and a $300 fine. Bond pending appeal for thai de novo in Sunflower County Circuit Court set at $500, which was posted. Trial date not yet set. 8/20/64 Petition for removal filed. Motion to remand and brief in support of remand, 9/4/64. Brief in support of motion to remand filed 9/15/64. Brief in opposition to re mand filed 12/21/64. Notice of appeal filed 1/9/65° GULFPORT 48. STATE OF MISS._ V, MILLER 49. STATE OF MISS... V, GOLDSTEIN (S.D. MISS) 50. STATE OF MISS. V. CXEVERDON 7/17/64 petition for removal filo.d., 8/15/64 - hearing on motion to remand. Affidavits and counter affidavits filed. Order to remand entered 9/14/64, Motion to stay remand order and notice of appeal to Fifth Circuit filed 9/19/64. Appeal docketed. Motion to con solidate granted. No hearing date. HOLLY SPRINGS; 51. LARRY...RUBIN.V_._.CITY OF HOLLY .SPRINGS j£N.D.MISS., Or.Act.WCR6430) 7/26/64 - White COFO worker arrested and charged with reckless driving. Petition for removal filed 7/27; motion to remand filed 8/14/64. Briefs in opposition filed 12/21/64. Case remanded. Notice of appeal filed 2/18/65° 52. ELWOOB BERRX....V... STATE OF, MIgS. (N.D. MISS., Crim Act.WCR6431) 7/24/64 - Berry, White COFO worker, arrested and charged with disturbing the peace by using profane language in public. Released on $500 bond pending trial in Marshall County J P Court, Petition for removal filed 7/27° Motion to remand filed 8/4. Briefs in opposition filed 12/21/64. 53° .FRAM..^IF1CIrQllKA Yj>_Q]^^OJ^^_SMW(d^ (N.D.MISS.) WCR6438 8/12/64, White COFO worker arrested for carrying a sign without a permit. Breach of peace charge added. Arraignment 8/12 in Municipal Court. Petition for removal filed 8/17 in Western Div., N.D. No answer. 54. CLEVELAND L. .SFJ^LERS, JR.....,_ V... CITY OF HOLLY SPRINGS ET AL TO. 'MISS.')" Criminal Action WCR 6437* Negro COFO worker was arrested 8/1/64 on premises of Ragsdale Chevrolet Garage, where he and another COFO worker, -11- Holly, Springs. - Continued at all times peaceful, were inspecting the remains of a car in which one COFO worker was killed and another badly in jured a few hours: before. He was charged with ''threatening to do bodily harm, attempting simple assault —breach of peace." '';'. Released on #500 cash bail, trial set for 8/8.in J P Court, 1st Beat, Marshall County. Petition for removal filed 8/7/64. : Motion to remand filed 11/17/64; brief in supoort due n/29/64. Brief in opposition filed 12/21/64. • INDIANOLA . . • . 55. CHRISTOPHER...:HEXT.ER V. CITY OF. .INDIANQL/i (N.D .MISS. ) GCR6461 Petitioner, a white COFO worker, arrested 8/16/64 while distributing leaflets in the City of Indianola along with several Negroes. Charged with distributing handbills with out a licence. • • Convicted 8/17/64 in-Municipal Court and fined $100.::Bond pending appeal to Sunflower County Circuit Court for trial de. npjvq set at $500. 8/20/64 petition for removal filed. Motion for'remand filed 9/3/64. No hearing date set yet. : Brief in support of motion to remand and brief filed 9/18/64. 56. QITY_pj? INDIANOLA V^OTIS BROWN._, JR.,,, ET AL (Indianola Flick- In TCase sT~(N ° S. MISST" On Sunday, 9/6/64, a group of. five whites and 3 Negroes was arrested for trespass' while standing quietly on the property of the Bryant Chapel, a Negro church in Indianola. They had attempted to buy tuckets at the DWhite" side of the "Honey Theatre" and, when refused service, returned to the church. When the police chief failed to secure an affi davit from a church trustee, charge was changed to refusing to obey a police officer. They were released on $100 bond each, on 9/8/64. Removal petitions for 7 defendants (one left the state) filed 9/12/64. Motion to remand filed 9/28/64. Answer filed 10/5 amd brief in support of remand motion, filed 10/8/64. Order remanding cases entered 2/8/65° Notice of appeal filed 2/17/65. '. Nos. 57. CITY_0F iroiANOLi\_X° DONALDSON XLORENZO. JONES) ET AL 6478- ;-.; :... -''", ' 64% •Nineteen defendants•arrested while distributing copies of Mississippi Free Press in Negro community in the City of In dianola on or about 10/24/63° Tried in May6r's Court of Indianola, 10/25/63, convicted and sentenced to 30 days and $25 fine. Released on cash bail In the amount of $100 each upon filing notice of appeal. Petitions for removal filed 9/14/64 in the U S Dist•Gt . for the Northern District of Mississippi from the Circuit Court of Sunflower County. Motion to remand filed 9/22/64. State's brief due ten days from 9/30° Our brief due 20 days . from 9/30. 58. CITY OF. _OT,LAN0LA.,vl, ,MARYr,.LEE, affiflff BT" AI (DCRND NO. 7074) Mary Lane and 12 other COFO workers were arrested in •'• the City of Indianola while passing out copies of the Mis sissippi Free Press to Negro citizens - charged With dis tributing handbills without permit. 10/25/63, they were all tried, convicted and sentenced to $25 fine and 30 days in jail. All were released on $100 bond. Petitions for removal filed 9/15/64 after continuances in state, court trials. -12- JACKSON . . 59. STEVEN HOLBROOK V„. .STATE.. OF MISS. (S.D. MISS.) NO. 3587 60. SOREN SORENSEN V.. STATE OF MISS. (S.D.MISS.)N0.3588 Grim Act 8/20/64 - Two defendants accompanied a Negro attempting to register to Circuit Clerk's office in Hinds County court house in Jackson. Holbrook took several photographs inside courthouse, was immediately arrested. While waiting on a bench to hear the charges against Holbrook, Sorensen was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, as was Holbrook: both in violation of House Bill 777, passed by Miss. Legis lature 5/28/64. Bond for each defendant was fixed at $1,000. Petition for removal filed 8/21/64, along with motion for reasonable bail. Hearing 12/28/64. Affidavits submitted in support of removal petition LAIJREL 61. CITY OFJLAUREL V. FOSTER^. JACKSON^ HARDAWAT, HARDFIELD, .McGAULEY,. EVERETT Cs.pT MISS7f Nos. "1370,13717 1372,137351374 12/18/64 five COFO workers and 1 local boy entered Travel Inn to obtain service. When refused to leave were arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and 4 de fendants were charged with resisting arrest. Total bond of $1,000 put up and all released. . Trial set for 12/21/64. Re moval petitions drawn up. Removal petition filed 12/21/64 at 2:30. Cases called up for trial at 3:00 and bond forfeited because no defendants present. 3;01 defendants entered courtroom and at 3:10 removal petitions were served. Motion to set aside bond forfeiture being filed. Notice of Motion to Remand served 3/17/65* Affidavits to be filed by March 27. .MAGNOLIA 62. STATE OF MISS.., V., MELVIN PARKER (US DIST ..CT 3624 No.3630) Parker, 21 year old local Negro, arrested May 6, 1964 and charged with "trespass by peeping Tom," for allegedly peeping in white folks windows. He denies allegations. Held in Pike County jail at Magnolia under $5000 bond, indicted by grand jury 10/64 for two charges of same offense. Unable to raise bail, has remained in jail since May. Petition for removal filed 10/15/64 along with motion to reduce bail. Judge Mize reduced bail to $500 each count. Surety bonds written and Parker released. Motion to remand filed 11/6/64. Hearing 12/28/64. Affidavits and counter affidavits submitted, MARKS, 63. STATEJDF MISS^V. ROSE KENDRICKS (Marks Bigamy Case) Tjf.D. MISS. Crim Act DCR"645^6) 8/4/64 - Mrs Kendricks attended a meeting for Marks residents and agreed to house summer project people (which she did). 8/15/64, the sheriff and his deputy called on her and told her to be at the county courthouse later that morn ing. The county attorney (Quitman County) told her she had remarried without a divorce and would be put in the pen!4- . tentiary for 10 years. On 8/19, sne was arrested for bigamy at her home. Bail was set at $500; LCDC volunteer Tonachel waived a hearing and on 8/20 filed a removal petition, along with writ of habeas corpus. Judge Clayton granted the latter, fixing bail at $300, which was raised. Mrs Kendricks was released 8/21. Removal petition pending; bigamy charge seems unfounded, since her first spouse has been absent for more than 7 successive years. Motion to remand filed 9/16/64 -13- Mjarks - continued along with brief in support of remand. Brief in opposition to remand filed 11/2/64. 64. gASMLX EASSLER V... CITY.OF MARKS, (USDCND NO. DCR 6455) Kassler, White LCDC lawyer from Massachusetts, while in Marks to represent COFO workers assaulted by city marshall and then arrested for obstructing justice and disorderly con duct. Trial scheduled 8/11/64. Removal filed 8/8/64..Motion to remand filed 8/25/64; brief in support of remand filed 8/29/64; brief in opposition to remand filed 9/29/64. Order remanding case entered 12/30/64. Notice of Appeal filed 12/ 30/64. MCCOMB, 65. PERCY. MC.GHEE. V... CITY OF. MAGNOLIA (S.D. MISS.) NO.3592 °££n McGhee, a Negro COFO volunteer, was arrested for loitering 8/22/64 by•the sheriff of Pike County, while drink ing a coca-cola in the county courthouse. Released on $55 bond; removal petition filed 8/27/64. No answer. State contending removal not timely filed. Petitioner to submit affidavits in contest. 66. STATE OF MISS.. V... WILLIE JOHN DILLON (S.D. MISS.) Dillon, a Negro resident of Pike County who lives just outside the city limits of McComb, Mississippi, heard an explosion (dynamite blasting cap - the dynamite failed to explode) on the front lawn of his home at approximately 4 a.m., 8/28/64. He called the FBI and the sheriff of Pike County, R R Warren. When sheriff arrived in response to Dillon's call, he noticed a car on which Dillon had been working on the front lawn (car belonged to a summer' volun teer). Sheriff Warren then arrested Dillon for stealing electricity (having noticed a wire running from the electric post behind Mr. Dillon's house to a light In the yard) and operating a garage without a license. Mr. Dillon was held literally incommunicado until 3 p m 8/28, the same afternoon at which time he was tried, con victed and sentenced up to a total of 6 months in jail and fine of $600 (8/28/64). He was not allowed to see or speak with counsel or his wife. Indeed, the sheriff and county attorney conspired'to prevent counsel from seeing or speak ing with Mr. Dillon. Petition for removal filed in federal district court 9/19/64. Answer of Sheriff Warren filed 9/27/64; motion to strike petition demurrer and motion to remand filed 9/28„ Hearing held U S District Court 10/8. Remand and Notice of Appeal filed 11/6. Agreement to dismiss appeal in exchange • for petitioner entering nolo plea and paying court costs. 67. STATE. OF MISS,..,, V... ROY LEE (S.D. MISS.) NO. 3589 Roy Lee, a 23 year old Negro resident of McComb, Miss., was arrested 8/15/64 and charged with obstructing justice, threatening the life of a policeman, and disturbing the peace. He had gone to the scene of the bombing of a Negro-owned grocery store located approximately 2 blocks from his home at about 12:50 a.m., 8/15/64. When he arrived on the scene he fell to his knees and began praying aloud, "Lord, when is it going to end..." He was persuaded to leave the scene by his companions (COFO workers;. He then went to the Freedom House when he calmed down. He went back to the scene a second time, and again began to pray aloud. A policeman known as "Big John" came toward him while he was on his knees, with a gun-or club raised as if to strike Lee. The COFO -14- McComb, - continued workers covered Lee with their bodies, imploring the police officer not to strike him. They again took him back to the Freedom House, where he discovered he had lost his houseshoe. As he was returning down the street locking for his house shoe, two police officers approached and arrested him. Case removed 8/24/64. Motion to remand filed 9/2/64. Hearing on the motion scheduled 9/11/64. On that date, Judge Cox continued the hearing, now scheduled for 9/24, Fed. Dist Court, Biloxi, before Judge Mize. Full hearing U S Dist. Ct. - Judge Mize, ' 10/6-7. Motion to remand granted " 10/7°' Notice of appeal and stay pending appeal filed. MERIDIAN 68. CITY. OF MERIDIAN. V., FREDDIE LEE. WAT SON ET.AL (S.D.MISS) a"-". (9 defendants') 5/23/64 - Watson arrested while distributing leaflets outside Newberry's Dime Store urging boycott of downtown • stores; 5/30/64 - Hosley arrested while distributing leaf lets in front of Woolworth's and charged with "interfering a man's business." Released on $50 cash bond; 5/30/64 - 6 others arrested outside Woolworth's and Kress' after dis tributing literature. Three defendants were charged with being "dangerous and suspicious". Three others placed under arrest for "investigation." 5/31/64 - one defendant arrested, in Woolworth's and. a, charged with disorderly conduct. 6/1/64 - eight ' defendants arraigned in Juvenile Court without counsel. Bond set at $50 per person. Trial set for 6/3/64, continued to 6/10/64, charges changed to "con duct likely to lead to breach of the peace." On 6/10/64, the morning of trial, petitions for removal filed Fed Dist Ct., S.D., rejected because not filed in duplicate. State court tried and convicted defendants. 6/12/64 - habeas corpus petition filed Fed. Dist. Ct. and denied. Motion for t„r.o„ and enjoining city officials from executing sentences granted. Petitions for removal perfected. Motion to remand 6/30/64. Motion for stay pend ing appeal to 5th Circuit and Notiee of Appeal to the 5th Circuit filed 7/14/64. Hearing scheduled 2nd week in February, 1965 ~ postponed. 69. CITY OF MERIDIAN V. SUSAN GOLICK, RICHARD^LOWENSTEINj MAPJPOE. ANN TJENDFTRSON . JEKEMfef KEMMERER^ AND JOSEPH " if GROSSES* D. MISS.) Nos. 5210, 5211, 5212, 5213, 5214. Five White Oberlin students arrested while passing out "freedom ballots" in "freedom vote" election 10/31/64. All charged with distributing leaflets without a permit. Released on $50 bond each. Petitions for removal filed 11/6/64. Motion for remand filed 11/30/64. Hearing scheduled 12/14/64. Postponed. Briefs requested by Mize in lieu of hearing. State's brief filed 12/2/64. Reply brief filed 1/4/65. 70 CITY... OF MERICIAN V. ALBERT G. McGEE (No. 5201 - S.D.) . . McGee was arrested 7/12/64 for disturbing the peace in white section of the Meridan railroad station. Petition for removal filed 7/25/64. Motion to remand filed 8/19/64. Order remanding case to state court filed 10/4/64. Notice of appeal filed 10/5, 1964„ Appeal docket. Motion for extension of time within which to file brief in court of appeals filed 2/19/65° MOQRgSVXLLE 71. STATE OF MISS. V. EMILIE SCHRADER (N.D. MISS.) ECR 6484 Emilia, a White COFO worker, arrested in rural Mississippi town after being run' out by mob. Her car had broken down and -15- Mgpresvi11e - continued she summoned Negro friends from Tupelo to help her from a gas station-,phone which turned but to be a party line. In a few minutes, numerous police and local people appeared at station and threatened her. When her friends arrived and hitched her pickup - crowd preceded her on highway:.and parked, She was stopped, arrested for operating a motor vehicle in reckless manner (car was being towed at time), jailed and released on. $100 bond. Petition.for removal filed 11/6/64. NATCHEZ 72. CITY QF. NATCHEZ V.. ELLEN CLARK ET, AL (DCR SD NOS 4393-4404) Twelve COFO workers and local citizens were arrested 1/8/65 while picketing the Clark movie theater in the City of Natchez to protest theatre's policy of racial segregation. All were charged with disorderly conduct and released on $100 bail each. Petitions for removal filed 1/15/65° PASCAGOULA 73. PASGA.GOJKLA ^REMOVAL. CASES (S.D. MISS.) 62 persons arrested while attending a voter registration meeting 8/4/64 in Pascagoula. 55 charged with breach of the peace, 7 with possession of obscene pictures. County officials and Pascagoula police, after warning the previous week that voter registration meetings would be dispersed, .arrived 50 strong, armed with revolvers, rifles and billy clubs., in bus and cars. Also had tear gas. About 40 whites were peacefully watching. At one point, police ordered the meeting to disband in 5 minutes. Upon refusal,, all were jailed in Jackson County Farm jail. . At 8/5 trial, counsel had only 30 minutes to confer with any of petitioners. Continuance granted until 8/10/64. Some released on bail, others stayed in jail. 8/11/64, petition for removal filed; amended petitions filed 8/25/64. Motion to remand filed 9/16/64. Hearing set for 9/23/64. Answer to amended petitions and motion to remand filed 9/18/64. Hearing set U S District Court 9/23/64. Postponed until 9/28/64. Motion to remand sustained. Notice of appeal being noted. .PHI.LADELPHIA. 74. STATE OF .MISSISSIPPI, V.. SCHIFFMAN Defendant arrested 9/14/64 during "Freedom Day" in Philadelphia. Charged with failure to obey officer. Out on $500 bond. Trial scheduled for 10/26. Removal petition filed on or about 10/25/64. State Court tried Schiffman anyway, forfeited bond. Contempt proceedings being brought, RULEVILLE. 75. M... C... PERRY V... CITY OF, RULEVILLE .(N.D. MISS. - GCR 64111) Perry, 11th grade SNCC worker, arrested 8/15/64 for disturbing, the peace when he failed to bring a parent with him to Ruleville Negro High School to discuss civil rights activities with principal. Unrepresented by counsel, he was convicted same day in Mayor's Court and sentenced to 30 days'- on the Sunflower County farm and $100 fine. Incarcerated until 8/15, paid $500 bond pending appeal for trial de novo in Sunflower County Circuit Court. 8/24/64,, petition for removal filed. No motion to remand received as yet;. Case was dismissed upon agreement. New removal filed 12/24/64. -16- STJ^KVILLE 76. ROJ|ALP, BRIPGEFQR^H..V,, CITY OF.^TARKVILI/E (N.D. MISS.) ECR 6458 8/13/64 Bridgeforth, White COFO worker, went to J P Ct. to pay a parking ticket. When told he had to be finger printed, and mugged, he asked to see the law, and was told there was no copy there. He asked, for legal .advice, paid the fine, but was jailed. 8/14, $500 bail paid and judge held Bridgeforth in con tempt of court and sentenced him to $50 fine and one day in jail. Counsel not notified of hearing, which was 8/15° Judge asked if he woiild be fingerprinted and mugged. When lie asked to see a lawyer, the judge held him in contempt again, and sentenced him to $50 and another day in jail. 8/16 - fingerprinted and mugged when jailer told'him"• his lawyer knew about it. Fines totaling $100 and $23 costs were paid. Trial set for 8/18 on charge of refusing to be fingerprinted and mugged. Petition for removal filed 8/64. WEST .POINT. 77. CITY OJLWEST POINT V. LEWIS^ BELL^ BERNARD.^ GILMAN .and BROOKS CO*. MISS.1 ECR 6479," 6480," 6481, 6482/648T' October 31, 1964, 5 volunteer students arrested while distributing freedom ballots. Charged with distributing -: leaflets without permit. Released on $100 bond each. Petitions for removal filed 11/6/64. Counsel informed by city attorney that city does not plan to file motion to remand and is willing to try cases in federal court. .... • J 78. CITY OF WEST POINT V. CRAWFORD^ SYKES.,, BROOKS.,,. HIGSON, WlLSOTJ'SSAMll^ and" BUFFINGTON CST.DT MISS .'T* ECR 6521-30 January 6, 1965, petitioners, 8 local Negro citizens and 2 COFO workers, were arrested and charged with dis turbing the peace. Gilman charged additionally with resisting arrest. They were singing freedom songs In front of local jail. Bond was set at $300 per defendant on each charge. Petition for removal filed 1/13/65° Motions to remand filed 1/23/65° II AFFIRMATIVE FEDERAL CASES ABERDEEN Civil Action 79° .LEE .F... DILWORTH,.. ET AL V... T. N... RINER^.,, ET AL, No. 6463 September 5, 1964, 19 Negro citizens of Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi, entered Tom's Restaurant and requested service. Upon refusal to go around to back entrance, po lice were called. Defendants arrested and charged with trespassing. All released on bail. Trial set for 10/7/64, Municipal Court. Complaint under Civil Rights Act to en join prosecution of defendants and further discrimination in restaurant's facilities filed 9/21/64. Hearing on t.r.o. . 10/2/64 wherein Judge Clayton refused to stay state court prosecutions on grounds he banned by §2283° Notice of appeal from Judge Clayton's denial of injunction relief filed 10/6/64. As state court trials were coming up 10/7/64, requested stay from Judge Clayton which was refused. A call to Judge Wisdom of 5th Circuit Court of Appeals who called Judge Clayton resulted in getting stay of state court proceedings evening of 10/6/64. The 5th Circuit acted because it "was of the view that legal questions -17- Aberdeen - continued presented are substantial and deserving of adequate brief ing and arguments." 5th Circuit ordered 10/13/64, de fendants filed motion for more definite statement. Answer to motion being prepared. Appeal docketed 10/21/64. Brief filed 11/12/64. Case argued 5th Cir. Ct of Appeals 1/12/65, BELZONI Civil Action 80. WILLIAM WARE^ET, AL V. M._L. NICHOLSj_ETJIL. No.aGC 6511 (tf.S.D. CT, GRIMfNVHiE) • Eight young Negro COFO workers were arrested in the City of Belzoni and held under bonds of $1,000 each for the offense of criminal syndicalism. After.week in jail and after plaintiff Ware had been severely beaten by the sheriff at the Oxford jail, they were released pursuant to removal petitions filed in the Federal District Court. They were arrested while quietly passing out leaflets in the Negro community urging Negro citizens to register to vote. , February 8, 1965, an action was filed in Federal Dis trict Court requesting a 3 judge court to determine the constitutionality of the Criminal Syndicalism Act. Plain tiffs allege it's unconstitutionah.by under the 1st, 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution. Defendants filed motion to dismiss 3/1/65° No hearing date set. 81. WILLIE, HAZELWOOD. .and .MACK KING. V^ C. B.^ AYCOCit/jST; AL (CIviT Action No., , .. _.., US. Dist Ct., Greenville) March 1, 1965, an action was filed in the Federal Court requesting a 3 judge court to determine the con stitutionality of §1762, Miss. Code Anno, providing that only registered voters or resident freeholders are quali fied to serve as jurors. Both plaintiffs are Negro non- registered voters who own no land and who reside in.the City of Belzoni. In Belzoni and Humphreys County, accord ing to the I960 Report of the Commission on Civil-Rights, only two Negro citizens were registered to vote though Negroes constitute the overwhelming majority of the popula tion in Belzoni and Humphreys County. Negroes, because disenfranchised, are therefore totally absent from juries in the county. Plaintiffs request that their names be placed on the jury rolls of Humphreys County, Mississippi. CANTON^. 82.. JOAN ANDERSON., ET AL V. CANTON MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ET^AL^and SjCHOOL JOARD OF MADISON COUNTY ET AL, Civir Action NO..;..,_._..: •. ZI ZZTTTUSD.CtT S*.D.' Jackson Div.) March 10, 1965, 49 Negro children by their parents filed suit in the Federal District Court to desegregate the public schools of the City of Canton and Madison County, Plaintiffs had requested desegregation by petition to the defendant school boards and later attempted transfers to "white" schools without avail. During their attempts.to transfer to white schools last September, Negro parents were not permitted to enter the white schools which were surrounded by police, officers who threatened and harassed persons driving pupils to white schools. -18- .CLARKSDALE.. 83. .PEARLINA. .LEWIS. V. MOTEL ROYALE, Civil Action NO, ;t., Delta Div.") Plaintiff Lewis and several other Negro citizens sought rooms at the Motel Royale in the City of Clarksdale and were refused service solely because of race. March 12, 1965 an action was filed in the Fed. Dist. Court under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to enjoin further discrimi nation and segregation by the Motel Royale. • 84. REBECCA E^ HENRY V. CLARKSDALE MUNICIPAP^^P/PATE SCHOOL DISTRICT, No. DC 6428 (N.D. MISSO School desegregation suit filed in May 1964 on behalf of 15 minor plaintiffs. Preliminary injunction issued on June 26, 1964, requiring submission of plan. Plan filed and tentatively approved by Court on 8/17/64, provided for assign ments under new school zones for 1st grade in September 1964 and 2nd grade in January 1965° Little desegregation possible under plan and plaintiffs will file appropriate motions seeking further relief. Interrogatories served, and answered.. Depositions held January 15° Motion for further relief filed. Hearing to be set for April, 1965° 85. HENRY V^ COAHOMA COUNTY^MISSISSIPPI BOARD, OF EDUCATION No,..". .._.-,.••„•.." (N°DrMISS.*) Negro teacher active in civil rights, denied a teaching contract for the school year 1962-63° District Court held Board did not deny plaintiff's constitutional rights in failing to renew teaching contract'where husband found guilty In police court on morals charge and named defendant in libel suits. Notice of appeal filed 12/31/63° Record and brief filed. GMENVXLIE 86. LOUGINE BELL. ET AL V. ALAMATT MOTEL AND COFFEESHOP Civil Action No. GC657 (U.S. Dist Ct. , "Gi*eenviile ) 1/8/65 Charles Evers and other Negro citizens requested rooms in the Alamatt Motel and were refused service. They quietly left the motel and attempted to enter the Alamatt Coffeeshop where their entrance was blocked by a white waitress protesting she could not serve them. They left. 1/24/65, an action under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was filed to enjoin further discrimination and segregation by Alamatt. February 1, 1965, a hearing was held in the Federal District Court. Judge Clayton granted a preliminary injunction and found that Alamatt had re fused service solely because they were Negroes. Plaintiffs had requested attorneys' fees and Judge Clayton reserved decision pending submission of briefs by both sides. Both briefs submitted and issue of attorneys' fees awaiting decision. LAUREL 87. ELBEPMTA_L._S^PINKS^ ET AL V._TRAVEL INN MOTEL .^ET ALjand .PINEBirRS.T_.^COfFEEM0pr^f AL,;.. Civil lotion #b. 196*5 (US Dist'Ct., Southern District) December 23, 1964 a number of Negro citizens sought service at Pinehurst Coffeeshop in the City of Laurel. The manager asked them to leave. When they refused, he swore out affidavits of arrests. During the day, 20 persons were jailed and charged with breach of the peace. One plaintiff was charged with indecent conduct and another with possession of liquor. All were released on $101 bond. The same day, Gwendolyn Robinson, COFO director in Laurel, sought a room at Travel Inn Motel pursuant to a -19- Laurel - continued reservation made earlier that date. She was refused service. Trial scheduled State 12/30/64. State agreed to a stay State court proceeding pending, filing and determination of Federal court injunctive action., Action filed Federal District Court 2/8/65 under Title II of the Civil Rights Act. Defendants filed answer 3/1/65° No hearing date. JACKSON, 88. .COFQ.,; ET AL V., MISSISSIPPI .FAIR COMMISSION (S.D.MISS.) Suit arose from Commission's failure to rent Coliseum to COFO for August 18ft folk festival. White and colored entrances with signs maintained. Motion for t.r.o. filed 8/6/64. seeking preliminary and. permanent injunction against further segregation in Coliseum. Hearing 8/14/64. Affi davits requested and submitted. Judge granted injunction against further segregation of premises but denied COFO's request to rent. Hearing scheduled 1st week February on permanent injunction but continued until June, 1965° 89. EVERS^. ET AL V._ PERMAF^TT.._CAPITOL, JXMMJSj3JX)N (S.D .MISS. ) Civil Action No. 5;a24 (j) (C) Class action filed 8/28/64 calling for desegregation of facilities in state office buildings and capitol in Jackson '••— rest room's, water- fountains, lunch couneers, etc. No answer filed or hearing date set yet. Interrogatories due 10/21/64. Answer filed 10/21/64. Hearing' scheduled for June, 1965. 90. EVERS V.. JACKSON? Civ. No. 20324 (5th Cir.) 91° Hin)S0N J. LEAKE COUNT,: SCHOOL BOARD, Civ. No. 20825 (5th Cir.) 92. MASON V.. .BILOXI SEPARATE SCHOOL. DIST..,No.208^6 (5th Cir.) These 3 suits filed, in early 1963 to desegregate schools in Jackson, Leake County and. Biloxi, Mississippi. Preliminary injunctions made final on 7/6/64. Petition of intervenors dismissed. Plans palling for grade-a-year desegregation were submitted en 7/15,. tentatively approved on 7/29° Appeals filed by Boards In all three cases. Seventeen students admitted in Biloxi, 39 in Jackson, and one admitted in Leake County. Motion for further re lief filed, in Leake County because of intimidation of parents. Hearing set for October 5° Jackson schools opened on September 1ZS with 39 pupils admitted to- 8 schools. Further relief In Leake County denied, but Court warned that orders must be obeyed.. Motion for further relief filed and/tentatively set for hearing on 2/23/65° Hearing on Jackson plan held week of March 7, 1965. Judge Mize ordered 2nd. grade desegregated 1965~1966 and all grades desegregated by 1969° Notice of appeal from Mize's order filed 3/11/65° Hearings on plans in Leake County and Biloxi 1st week of April 93. DARRELL KENYATTA. EVERS V. JACKSON MUNI IPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT - (Jackson school, desegregation) 94. NAACP V.. THOMPSON, No. 3432 (S.D. MISS.) Suit to enjoin arrests of demonstrators in Jackson, Mississippi. Plaintiffs appealed from failure of the district court to grant Injunctive relief, and on a motion for injunction pending appeal to'the 5th Circuit,1 the court found that it lacked, jurisdiction to grant motion because the Issues and disputed, facts contained in the trial record justified the district- court's failure to rule without ex tensive study. Following denial of preliminary injunction Jackson - continued , on January 10, 1964, and pre-trial hearing.on January 25, 1964, trial began on February 3° Plaintiffs put on 49 witnesses in support of allegation that.defendants sup pressed all protest against policy of racial segregation by.arrests and prosecution. Trial completed February 28. All relief denied and complaint dismissed, on June 1, 1964. Appeal taken. Brief filed. 95. JACKSON^ MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM RIDER CASES^ HENRY J. THOMAS, ET AL.. t NO. 12iTTN.S. sf CtT) •, -.: * • In November .1.961, the Legal Defense Fund agreed to take over the cases of 303 Freedom Riders. • They were all charged ;:.-- with breach'of the peace. • -All defendants were convicted in City Court and in County Court, where they were tried at rate of two per day through May 1962. Briefs for 72 persons convicted In County Court were submitted on appeal to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court affirmed the convictions in the County Court in above 20 of the 72 cases, and appeals to the Supreme Court of Mississippi were taken. A motion was made to consolidate all the cases on appeal in the Supreme Court of Mississippi since they involve the same factual and legal issues. It was denied.. A decision was handed down on February 18, 1964, affirming the con viction in Thpmas...v.. Mlssis, sippi. Convictions of James Farmer and 23 others were affirmed, on March 2, 1964...,,. Writ of certiorari for 29 Freedom Riders filed in U S Supreme Court on June 13, 1964. Briefs for eight more defendants filed in Supreme Court of Mississippi on October 2, 1964, and for 5 defendants in the Circuit Court on October 21, 1964. 96. miiffl^y^mTTmsM^M^Mi (323 F. 2d 201) Class action to enjoin state and local officials from enforcing segregation laws and/or customs in bus, railroad and airline facilities. A three-judge court denied the in junction under abstention doctrine. U. S. Supreme Court vacated judgment and remanded to a, single judge court, holding abstention inappropriate. It held, however, that plaintiffs lacked standing to attack state criminal prose cutions as they had not been arrested. On remand, the District Judge held plaintiffs had a right to unsegregated travel facilities and held uncon stitutional the state segregation statutes. The District Judge also ruled that racial signs in the airline terminal must be removed, but refused injunctive relief. Plaintiffs appealed the denial of injunctive relief to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed. The Court ruled 2-1 that because racial segregation remains the policy of Mississippi, and because defendants do segregate in the face of earlier decision invalidating such practices, injunctive relief for the class should be granted against all carriers notwithstanding their plea of discontinuance of segregation policies. The Court also .. indicated that the District Court should, consider requiring carriers to cease maintenance of dual waiting rooms. Certiorari denied February 17, 1964. Injunctive order was entered by District Court in April 1964. Further relief to be sought. MOSS.. .POINT. <.'• ' ,. 97° GLADNEY V. MOSS POINT MISSISSIPPI MUNICIPAL SEPAPa"rTE_SCH0OL DISTRTCT, CSTD.MISS.T' ^ ~ ~ ~~^ Suit filed January, 1965 by 61 minor plaintiffs seeking school desegregation for the 1965 fall term. Hear ing on notion for preliminary injunction held 3/12/65° T21- McCOMB 98. McCOMB .CRIMINAL SYNDICALJSM.ARRESTS, Nos. 3604-3623 Sunday, September 20, 1964, 2 bombings in City of McComb. Negroes arrested and angry as these latest in series of 16 bombings against Negro persons. Many gathered at home of Mrs Alyene Quinn whose home had been bombed and a few threw rocks and bricks at police when they arrived. Between September 20 - 23, 1964, city, county and state police arrested approximately 25 persons; held them in Pike County jail under bonds of $5000 each. No warrants were issued and defendants not told of charge until days later. Carsie Hall was told all were charged with criminal syndicalism and 4 additionally charged with illegal pos session of explosives. (a) September 25, 1964, complaint seeking three-judge court to declare Criminal Syndicalism Act (one of the mass statutes passed last spring in anticipation of summer project) unconstitutional filed. No haaring date set though panel consisting of Judges Wisdom, Clayton and Mize to hear case. Motion to dismiss filed October 13, 1964. (b) September 29, 1964, petitions for removal filed along with motions to reduce bail. Judge Mize on October 1 reduced bail from $5000 to $500 for each defendant. Oct ober 6, 1964, grand jury of Pike County returned indictments and trial set October 13, 1964, Pike County Circuit Court. Amended petitions for removal filed October 8, 1964. All released on bail (surety bonds) October 19, 1964. • Motions to remand (Tate, Caston & Allen) filed 12/2/64. Hearing 12/28/64. Stayed pending determination of three-judge court action attacking constitutionality of Criminal Syndicalism Act. Deal has been worked out with prosecutor whereby crimi nal syndicalism charges will be dropped, lesser offense charged and defendants given small fines. Federal in junctive action to be withdrawn. 99. McCOMB-MASS COURTHOUSE ARRESTS - .OJJINJN^ ET AL V. WARREN,_ ET. AL, No. 3646. October 27a was designated '"freedom day" in the City of McComb; COFO workers and National Council of Churches ministers accompanied local Negroes to Pike County court house. They were met by Sheriff Warren and numerous police officers who informed them that registrar's office closed and that they could either leave the courthouse or be arrested. They refused to leave and during the day 40 persons were jailed for trespassing and refusing to obey an officer. Released on $100 bond each. October 29th - complaint filed Federal District Court for t.r.o. and injunction against further police harass ment of civil rights workers. Hearing before Judge Mize October 31st. Mize stayed prosecution of 40 persons arrested and scheduled full evidentiary hearing on TRO and preliminary injunction for November 16&.',' Hope to present full story of persistent threatenings and terroristic tactics of law enforcement officials:against local Negroes attempting to register to vote as well as COFO workers. Judge Mize denied injunction January 12, 1965. Notice of appeal filed to 5th Circuit. -22- . Ill STATE COURTS BATESVILLE 100, STATE OF MISS. V. SAMUEL ECHOLS (No. 2944 Cir. Ct. Panola County Arrested for perjury having stated on registration form he had never been arrested before. Records, show differently. Fined $200. Plead guilty without - counsel. When prosecuting attorney told him if he asked for a law- ger he would get 10 years. Received sentence of 18 months. November 20, 1964, petition for writ of error coram nobis filed. Motion to dismiss petition filed 11/28/64. Hearing held 12/5/64, Circuit Court of the 1st District of Panola County at Sardis. Order dismissing petition entered 12/7/64. Notice of appeal to Supreme Ct of Mississippi filed 12/10/64. 101. STATE.OF. MISSIS.SIPPI V._ ROBERT JAKESl„MPLES (J P Ct.Batesville) Mr. Miles, a 50 year old Negro citizen, was arrested 2/27/65 outside city hall. Twelve Negro youth were being tried inside City Hall and a crowd of around 1,000 whites and Negroes had gathered on the grounds. Five white men began beating and kicking Chris Williams, a white COFO worker, and Mr. Miles went to his aid. He hit one of the white men who attacked him first. He was later arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and/or assault. Released on $200 bond. Trial set for 3/20/65. 102. CITY. OF, ^^mJJJ^y^..MA^pK^^L -AIL' - See Removals BILOXI j. 103. STATE..OF. MISS.. V»>i:JAMES ..BMCK (Municipal Court, Biloxi) 8/22/64 - Defendant went with 4 teen-age Negro girls to Baker's restaurant.in Biloxi to test Civil Rights Act. . They sat at counter, were refused service and told to leave, ••'• When they didn't move, police were summoned and Black arrested for trespass. Released on $300 bond. At 8/27 trial in municipal court, decision reserved pending brief and/or oral argument. Brief noted 9/4. Case still pend ing. Judge'has reserved decision pending U S Supreme Court's decision in Maddox. 104, GILBERT. R , MASON^ ET AL V. CITY OF BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI (Cir. Ct. ,* Harrison County) June 23, 1963 about 29 Negro citizens went on the west beach in the City of Biloxi to enforce their right to nondiscriminatory treatment in the public use of the property. An angry croi^d gathered within minutes along with police who arrested the Negroes for trespass. De fendants appeared Police Justice Court of Biloxi 6/28/64, were convicted and sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment and $100 fine. Appeals were taken to County Court and trial was held 11/20-22, 1963° They were again convicted and sentenced to 30 days and $100 fine. 11/22/63 appeals filed to Circuit Court. Brief filed. CANTON 105 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI V, JAMES BROWN James Brown is a 19 year old Negro boy presently im prisoned in Parchment Penitentiary. He was convicted -23- Canton- continued -..-,-...... ,.,... ..September.. 17, 1964 for allegedly attempting to rape a white :woman In the City of Canton.' During his entire incarceration and trial, his family was not' allowed to visit." Court appointed, white, counsel, advised him to plead- guilty in order to get lesser sentence. He agreed and received 1 year. Habeas corpus to be filed. MEW 106. STATE OF, MISSISSIPPI V.. FRED. R... MILLER,.and "EDWARD, B.^ . 'WIJilAMS^Circuit Court, Sunflower County) •.-."• Defendants arrested 7/30/64 in Drew, for allegedly dis tributing handbills without a permit, though arresting officer had only seen them put some in a pickup truck. On 7/31 they were convicted in Mayor's Court, sentenced to $100 fines and 30 days at the Sunflower County Work.Farm. Appeal bonds of $200 each were filed for trial de novo, in Court. GREENWOOD 107. GREENWOOD,,,. .MISSISSIPPI CASES. ... a) On June 18, 1963, a voter registration meeting was held In Itta Bena, a town 7 miles from Greenwood. After tear gas was thrown into the church, the group went to the sheriff's house to request protection. On the way, other persons threw rocks and bottles at them. The sheriff arrested the group seeking- protection, 42 persons, for disturbing the peace. They were convicted on trials in Police Court and the County Court for boisterous conduct, throwing rocks and bottles, and blocking the streets, and were sentenced to $200 fines and six-month prison sentences, Appeals are now being prepared for the Circuit Court of Leflore County. Briefs due. HATT.I^ES.BURG. : 108. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI V... LAWRENCE GUYOT. (Sup.Ct. of Miss.) Guyot was arrested in Hattiesburg 1/24/64, charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Convicted and sentenced to .6 months and $500 fine. County and Circuit Courts affirmed conviction. Appeal filed Miss. Supreme Court about 7/22/64. Brief filed 2/22/65° Hearing scheduled Mississippi Supreme Court 3/22/65° - IMIANOLA •- ••••:: 109. IN RE THEO.HARRISON 8/28/64 - eight juveniles arrested at Negro high school and. charged with disturbing peace, entering school grounds. Charges against three dismissed; four declared delinquent, placed on probation for 6 months. Harrison, a 12 year old, was adjudged delinquent and ordered to training school 8/28/64. Juvenile' court judge to be contacted re length of sentence. Further action to be taken. 110. CITY, OF;JJ^jjgSZA_V,_ .GEORGE LEE JONES .(Cir.Ct., Sunflower Co) 7/12/64 Jones, local Negro participant in COFO Indianola project, was taken by local Negro policeman to see the police chief in chief's office, where local Negro policeman told him "We all gwine whup yo ass." Jones asked to get a drink of water and fled, hiding out for a few -24- IndijanpJLa - continued. days. 7/17? officer arrested him downtown, charged him with running from arrest, and jailed him 7/18 -•• not allowed to use telephone, tried and con victed in municipal court., sentenced to 60 days on county farm. Appeal bond filed 7/24, Jones released pending trial in Circuit Court, Sunflower County. 111. CITY OF .INDIANOLA ,V., GEORGE,,MMSHALL (J P Ct., Sunflower Co) Marshall arrested. 9/10/64 in Indianola, charged with "leafleting" without a permit. Released, on $100 bail and trial set for 9/17° Bail forfeited, since Marshall did -.not appear. Effort underway to effect a settlement if possible; forfeiture usually closes a case under Mississippi practice and procedure. To check. JACKSON 112. JAMES .EDWARD JACKSON V.. SUPERrNTENDENT,., PARCHMAN STATE PENJTENT3APTTN ° D. MISS7T~*~ 6/26/64 - Defendant arrested in Columbus, charged with distributing -literature without a permit, while passing out leaflets describing Civil Rights Act. 6/29/64, about to be released on bail, he was taken.to Lowndes County Circuit Court. In June, 1962, Jackson had been convicted on two counts each of burglary and larceny,, He served one two-year sentence and was released 3/12/64 from Parchman. Second sentence was "retired to -the file," a quaint Columbus custom common with Negro defendants. Judge Green unretired the prior sentence and Jackson was taken back to Parchman. Petition for writ of habeas corpus. McCOMB 113. McCOMB. FOOD. .ARRESTS. , October 24 and 25, entire COFO staff, 14 persons, arrested for violation of health laws; i.e., handling food. Health inspector said as COFO was cooking for a number of people, required to have permit to operate food establishment. All released $100 cash bond each. Trial held 7;30 a.m., October 27&° All released except Jesse Harris, project director, who was fined $100. Notice of appeal filed.. 114. McCOMB LEASE PROBLEM Attempts are now being made to evist COFO workers from house on 702 Wall Street for which lease had not expired. Notice to vacate by March 5, 1965 served.. No • '•; date set for hearing on eviction proceeding. MOSS jE&BTT ., 115. STATE .OF MISSISSIPPI V., NETTIE SELLERS^ ET AL (Circuit Court, Jackson County) 8/26/64 defendants, six Negroes, were arrested while peacefully picketing the Scotch Washeteria in Moss Point and taken to the city jail, where they were denied per mission to notify next of kin and/or counsel. .At police court trial the same day, without counsel, they were charged individually with, falling to obey an officer and obstructing the public way, and were summarily convicted. 8/27/64 after considerable harassment, bonds of $250 each -2 5- MQ.8S, Point - continued were accepted and defendants were released pending trial de novo, in county court. Removal contemplated. TCHUXA 116. STATE., OF MISSISSIPPI V^ OLPVETl. PATRICK. ( Cir. Ct. Holmes Co. ) Patrick is a Negro pumber residing in Holmes County, Mississippi. Arrested 12/8/64 while driving and charged with "driving while under the influence of". Of what was never clarified either before or during trial. It was later stated "of narcotics" though no proof of narcotics was offered at trial. Patrick was fined $70.50. Appeal filed to Circuit Court. Patrick's license revoked and steps being taken to reinstate license pending appeal. yiOKSBURG. 117« STATE OF. MISSISSIPPI, ,V. IRVIN EGGLESTON Defendant was convicted in the Circuit Court of Warren County and sentenced to 18 months in the State Penitentiary for assault with intent to kill another person. The de fendant and the victim were Negroes. On the morning of the trial defendant's witness failed to show. Thereupon a summons was issued for defendant's witness but the return shoxved that said witness could not be found. Lawyers then representing the defendant advised him that in view of the fact that he had no witness available, to plead guilty. Legal defense counsel thereafter entered the cause filed a motion for a new trial which was indicated to defense counsel by the judge on the telephone would be granted, and a new trial date was set. Upon the appearance of counsel for defense prepared for trial it was learned that the trial judge had entered an order denying a new trial. A letter to this effect with an attached order denying same was found upon defense counsel's return to his office. This cause was tb.erea.fter appealed, to the Mississippi Supreme Court claiming inadequacy of counsel; denial of defendant's right to due process. A suggestion of error is now pending before the Mis sissippi Supreme Court. 118. STATE OF, MISSISSIPPI, V... ROBERT CLARK Defendant, a Negro, was tried In the Circuit Court of Warren County, Mississippi and convicted and sentenced to 18 months in the State Penitentiary for assault with intent to kill a White person. He was tried without a lawyer. Thereafter legal defense counsel filed a motion for a new trial on claim of denial of counsel which was overruled by the trial court on hearing. Defense counsel thereafter appealed to Miss. Sup. Ct. On 1/18/65, the Miss. Sup. Ct. reversed and remanded said cause deciding that defendant was denied the right of counsel, the trial court thereafter set appearance for defendant for $500 returnable to the May tern of the trial court of 1965. IAZO.0, CITY 119. CITY OF YAZOO CITY V... LENORA THURMAN (Cir.Ct. , Yazoo City) Defendant arrested 11/3/63, charged with distributing handbills without permit. 11/4/63 trial in municipal court, convicted and sentenced to $100 fine and 15 days in jail. Released on $100 appeal bond pending trial de__ novo in Yazoo County Court. No trial date set yet. -26- • Council aar*;; of „„5s Federated f fjt Organizations J^Jt-*-' FREEDOM REGISTRATION FREEDOM REGISTRATION is a chance for Negroes in Mississippi to show the world that they want to register and vote. It is a chance for Negroes in the state to show the government that they will register to vote if they are given a chance. Here is how it will work! FREEDOM REGISTRARS will re gister qualified Negroes in every county; PEOPLE WHO REGISTER in the FREEDOM REGISTRATION will be able to vote in the FREE DOM VOTE. ^S.aL £.^£.nJL J.h.s. sL°if££-.!• £.n£. ,_n._ •£eJ_d__the_fl.l_.e_, 2.n$z. £.° £?*•-.*• 2. —.he. £0£0_°JLf_.c.£. ILe5.r_y°.uJi Freedom Registration Form (1) Write today's date:. (2) Write your full name: (3) How old are you today: (4) Are you a United States citizen: (5) How long have you lived in Mississippi:, (6) What county do you live in: (7) How long have you lived in that county (8) What is your address now; (9) Are you a minister or the wife of a minister All of the statements above are true: (signature of applicant) ______(^.°_n£t__wi^^.e«.^J.^£w_tll^i. 2.*_.e_. State of Mississippi, County of: Sworn to and subscribed before me by the above named on this, the day of , 196 . WHO CAN REGISTER: anyone, who is: a citizen of the United States; 21 years old or over (or who will be 21 by the date of the FREEDOM VOTE) a citizen of Mississippi write: COFO STATE OFFICE 1017 Lynch Street Jackson, Miss. or call:352-9605 or contact the office near you: COFO 1323 6th Avenue N. Columbus, Miss. 328-8916 WHERE CAN YOU REGISTER: COFO wherever a FREEDOM REGIS 213 4th Street TRAR is located; Clarksdale, Miss. 624-2913 at FREEDOM REGISTRATION- mobiles; COFO 708 Avenue N at the COUNCIL OF FEDER Greenwood, Miss, ATED ORGANIZATIONS 453-1282 office nearest your home; COFO 507 Mobile Street by sending in a blank Hattiesburg, Miss. like the one on this 584-7670 folder. COFO (look on the back for a list 2505 1/2 5th Street of COFO offices) Meridian, Miss. 485-9286 _ Si 1 u «l 0)| o •Hi 4J <4-l 3 cd o O I i-l o r-l a. o o. o| cd 0)| X E o 0) o| .. •3 o Vi H at •P Vi 3 01 1 LL. 0) 4J 3| a u td 1-4 3cd a, CO 3 r-l| o C i-i bO 01 «M| 3 i-l co| 5> • o •H >. i-i CO 1-1 O «l * Has v-x o. 4J 6 x\ X i 3 •M p. 3 4-» cd vO o| 1-1 3 cd cr> fU at O & at r-l T3| CO CM 0t _- a o| Xi «M ••4 o r-l 4-1 « - a citizen of Mississippi write: COFO STATE OFFICE 1017 Lynch Street Jackson, Miss. or call:352-9605 or contact the office near you: COFO 1323 6th Avenue N. Columbus, Miss. 328-8916 WHERE CAN YOU REGISTER: COFO wherever a FREEDOM REGIS 213 4th Street TRAR is located; Clarksdale, Miss, 624-2913 at FREEDOM REGISTRATION- mobiles; COFO 708 Avenue N at the COUNCIL OF FEDER Greenwood, Miss. ATED ORGANIZATIONS 453-1282 office nearest your home; COFO 507 Mobile Street by sending in a blank Hattiesburg, Miss. like the one on this 584-7670 folder. COFO FREEDOM (look on the back for a list 2505 1/2 5th Street of COFO offices) Meridian, Miss. 485-9 286 m-. REGISTRATION Council Of Federated Organizations I -aaaa ^ -ifr; a..a. a MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM S UMMER Freedom Schools Community Centers Voter Registration ARE YOU A REGISTERED VOTER? If we were all voting then things would be better in Mississippi. We would have: •~x^r^ - enough food ,v** - more jobs - better schools - better houses - paved sidewalks People coming here this summer can FREEDOM SCHOOLS will be during the work with you on VOTER REGISTRATION. summer. They are schools where They can knock on doors, teach the high school students.will be able registration forms and drive people to talk about things they can't to the courthouse. They can help talk about in regular school. They in any way you want them to. A COMMUNITY CENTER is a place will learn about civil rights. where everyone can do many different things. It will be There will be classes for students mostly for adults and will offer who: many chances for them to learn 1. have trouble with their things to help them live better. lessons in regular school and want to do better, COMMUNITY CENTERS will have: - job training programs 2. like to read and want to r\ - classes for people who learn more than they are ^^ cannot read or write taught in regular school. \esc\r\ nnT - classes on child care - health programs There will be singing, dancing, - adult education and Negro sports, hikes and many other history classes things for all students. - music, drama, and arts and crafts workshops Some of the FREEDOM SCHOOLS will be for people who spend 6 weeks If you have small children, they away from home to live at them. will be taken care of while you enjoy the COMMUNITY CENTER. ALL OF THE FREEDOM SCHOOLS WILL BE FREE. EVERYTHING AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE FREE. 3>-«3>- What You Can Do: What Is COFO? This is your FREEDOM SUMMER. It COFO is an organization made up of will not work without your help. all the civil rights and local citizenship groups in Mississippi COFO is asking you to: which decided they must work - provide housing for the people together to improve conditions in who are coming to work here. Mississippi. - look for buildings which can be used for Freedom Schools and Community Centers. - get names of students who want to go to Freedom Schools. - let us know when you have meetings or arrange meetings so we can come answer questions about the FREEDOM SUMMER. Many people are coming here to work during our FREEDOM SUMMER. They want to learn about Missis sippi. They feel that the For more information: problems here are the problems of people all over the country. Most Write to - COFO STATE OFFICE of them will be college students, 1017 Lynch Street both Negro and white. Jackson, Mississippi Or call - 352-9605 COFO is your organization. The things it is trying to do should Other offices near you: be done by the state. The people who have been elected to run the CLARKSDALE 213 4th Street state say that they do not have phone - 624-2913 to do things for Negroes. COLUMBUS - 1323 6th Ave. North IT IS THE FAULT OF THE STATE that phone - 328-8916 you cannot: • find work GREENWOOD • 708 Avenue N read and write phone - 453-1282 - send your children to better schools. HATTIESBURG - 507 Mobile Street phone - 584-7670 If you work with COFO you will be working to get yourself the MERIDIAN 2505 1/2 5th Street better conditions you deserve. phone - 485-9286 What You Can Do: What Is COFO? Council This is your FREEDOM SUMMER. It COFO is an organization made up of A '•' Y - Of will not work without your help. all the civil rights and local ^"a*^ Federated citizenship groups in Mississippi f; ** COFO is asking you to: which decided they must work £^-\ 1 Organizations - provide housing for the people together to improve conditions in tr"'Sh^r who are coming to work here. Mississippi. V^"'"V - look for buildings which can be used for Freedom Schools and Community Centers. - get names of students who want to go to Freedom Schools. - let us know when you have meetings or arrange meetings so we can come answer questions about the FREEDOM SUMMER. Many people are coming here to work during our FREEDOM SUMMER. They want to learn about Missis sippi. They feel that the For more information: problems here are the problems of / people all over the country. Most Write to - COFO STATE OFFICE of them will be college students, 1017 Lynch Street both Negro and white. Jackson, Mississippi Or call - 352-9605 COFO is your organization. The things it is trying to do should Other offices near you: be done by the state. The people >:::r-;p m. who have been elected to run the CLARKSDALE • 213 4th Street state say that they do not have phone - 624-2913 to do things for Negroes. COLUMBUS - 1323 6th Ave. North IT IS THE FAULT OF THE STATE that phone - 328-8916 you cannot: - find work GREENWOOD - 708 Avenue N - read and write phone - 453-1282 - send your children to MISSISSIPPI better schools. HATTIESBURG 507 Mobile Street phone - 584-7670 If you work with COFO you will be FREEDOM working to get yourself the MERIDIAN - 2505 1/2 5th Street better conditions you deserve. phone - 485-9286 SUMMER Community Centers Freedom Schools Voter Registration CLASSES . ARE YOU A REGISTERED VOTER? If we were all voting then_things would be better in Mississippi. We would have: *'"SV^^'-VS"' "^ >*• - enough food - more jobs - better schools - better houses - paved sidewalks PpnT)ie coming here this summer can llrl with yS5 on VOTER REGISTRATION, FREEDOM SCHOOLS will be during the They can knock on doors, teach the summer. They are schools where registration forms and drive people hicrh school students, will be able to°talk about things they can t to the courthouse. They can help A COMMUNITY CENTER is a place talk about in regular school. They in any way you want them to. where everyone can do many will learn about civil rights. different things. It will be mostly for adults and will offer There will be classes for students many chances for them to learn things to help them live better. who: . , . . 1. have trouble with their COMMUNITY CENTERS will have: lessons in regular school and - job training programs want to do better, - classes for people who 2 like to read and want to cannot read or write learn more than they are - classes on child care taught in regular school. - health programs - adult education and Negro There will be singing, dancing, history classes sports, hikes and many other - music, drama, and arts things for all. students. and crafts workshops Some of the FREEDOM SCHOOLS will If you have small children, they be for people who spend 6 weeks will be taken care of while you away from home to live at them. enjoy the COMMUNITY CENTER. £LL OF THE FREEDOM SCHOOLS WILL EVERYTHING AT THE COMMUNITY BE FREE. CENTER WILL BE FREE. ar-*sr WE MUST BE ALLIES... RACE HAS LED US BOTH TO POVERTY. COFO's experimental white community project in Biloxi has forced an inescapable conclusion: our existing experience or ganizing the white poor of Mississippi must be developed into a major portion of the COFO program in the coming year* No matter how difficult the task, every effort'must be made, by those of us who share the dream of an interracial movement of the poor, to establish programs in white communities in twenty counties by the end of next year. This means that we need people, i.e. personnel and leader ship to undertake a most difficult, dangerous, and fascinating task of community organization. There are a few requirements for these people. They must have an understanding of the pov erty of the Southern white poor. They must be able to commun icate a concern for that poverty without precipitating or re inforcing fear andahostility toward the Negro and the freedom movement. They must have training in the field under COFO's sophisticated program?., Tne leadership must be willing to stay in the field for several years; the personnel, for several months. White skin is required only of those who have the initial task of sounding out the potential community leadership as unobtru sively as possible. If enough,of those leaders respond favor ably to the idea of COFO programs with which to fight their own poverty, then they will invite COPO staff in to help them run their program. PLEASE SEEK OUT people who are interested in working with this program and get them in touch with White Polks Program, 1017fcynch St. Jackson, Mississippi. There is a great freedom of choice over jobs in this movement. Its bureaucracy does not bite- does not stick people into convenient cogs. People are encouraged to do the job they think they can do best. N» one should have the fear that his humanness will be sacrificed to the cause. The important work to be done is with poor folks and not with moderates and liberals. The white poor have the politi cal need of decent jobs, housing, education, and health. The movement must go to them and help them develop their own lea dership rather than demand that the noderates and the liberals fight their political battles for them. The greatest thing about the freedom movement in Mississippi ( and what the rest of the country should consider very seriously) is that the peo ple themselves are voicing their own political needs. m (2} Both politically and in human terms, the freedom movement has no other choice but to develop the white folks program. The resistance in the past within the movement to the white poor program has not been to the idea or to the necessity, but has reflected a frank recognition that people who know how to do the job are not available and that the hostility of the white poor to the movement makes it a near impossible task. The pop ulist movement and the labor movement both failed to resolve the issue of race. It is the responsibility of the freedom movement, before the threat of the movement to the white poor further increases, to include them in our efforts. Politic ally, the freedom movement cannot succeed as a Negro movement for two reasons; First, a solid black vote can never be a politic 1 majority of the state or the South. Neither can . a solid votirt| block of the white poor. Only ^2.3^ of Mississippi and! roughly 20% of the South is Negro. In only 27 of 82 coun- ties in Miss issippi are Negroes a majority, and in eleven of those., they are bar e majorities of less than 60%-, Negro political con- trol of thes e counties would eventually lead to partition (Pak- istan was cr eated out of Muslim sections of India). Separate black societ ies is an impossible solution in as interdependent a society as ours. Secondly, a racial political order can never be a stable one. Not only would that order create a chaotic stand-still in legislative chambers, it would also create nothing less than a racial war among the people. For the freedom movement to follow the insane path toward that order would create a bamson who.destroys himself in order to destroy the oppressed his people, Hopes for human rights wou costractive blow if race were to block the pos- s i b: South solving its problems of poverty. It is imp -. + hat the creation of a political voice of , poo: stands to improve the economy for all. There is no rea< ahe middle and upper classes to be threatened by the aent of decent jobs, education, housing, and health for In human terms, the freedom- movement has the clear imper ative to jallude the wnite poor chained to the Negro at the bottom of tae eoeao-io ladder, It is clear from the U.S. Cen sus of Mississippi (p 132) that this is true* Negro family income of 1;3s s tnan At,l(H-C-/yr„ — 65,711 households " " " from |10e.O to #2000/^rw- j___»i^D Total-- 28% of population, ..... lT:-;'",^3i White family income-of less than |l€^/Vr 32,751 households " " from $1GC0 to $200®/yr.— 38,622 » Total— 12,7$ of population...... 71,373 " Almost one-third of the really poor folks in the state are white. ', (3) Personnel for the program will come from interested staff and volunteers a>couple of months experience in the movement. Hopefully, white SNCC and CORE field secretaries will undertake the leadership of this program in Mississippi and the rest of the South. Disgusted labor organizers who want a fresh approach provide a second resource. The experimental projects now under way of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) may develop some good community organizers they could spare for sork in the South, as could the' Hazard movement. Highlander Folk School, in all probability, would continue to provide orientation and workshops for the White Folk's Program. Effort will not be spared to recruit personnel from Southern colleges (even in Mississippi) as well as from Northern and Western schools. Hope fully, this recruiting effort will mean that one-third of COFO's work in Mississippi by the end of three years will be with white poor folks. Northerner and Southerner, black and white, should be en couraged to join this effort. The white task force which moves into the community first will spend a couple of months finding the potential leadership of the program by talking to people individually, and disassociated from COFO, in the bars and res taurants, churches and ballga.mes. The task force should inter est the people in decent jobs, etc. for poor folks, overcome their hostility to the movement, and encourage them to organize and run their own program. COFO would provide the financial and person nel resources to make the program work, COFO would draw on both white and black sources of people to establish interracial pro grams to fight the battle for decent jobs, etc. That fight will eventually draw the two groups together. Guidelines for this kind of community organizing have been developed from the experience in Biloxi. Eighteen of us lived all together in one hotel for the month of July. We spent more time attempting to resolve the problems of our in-group than we did learning the problems of the community. Dress and contro versial literature became major issues which absorbed several hours of heated discussions in meetings. Frustration with the project drove six people to leave it. From this experience, we concluded that the task force which moves into the community should number no more than three or four people and should pref erably be less. The smaller the number of people the less time they will spend relating to each other and the more they will be forced by their isolation to relate to the people in the community.. The same goes for eating out. You arn't in contact with the community if you are eating at home. In August, the problem was partially settled. Six people moved to a house in a community called Point Cadet basically composed of Biloxi fishermen. Four stayed in the hotel. The six at Point Cadet continued to waste alot of:time living in theri house, time wasted which later developments proved to be very costly. The white people we worked^with during the month of July were principally moderates and liberals. We found that they were just as paralized in fear of retaliation from the rest of the community as the white poor folks were. .' Two interest groups appeared in the Biloxi project. One was to set up a voice of moderation in the state, the other, was to create an interracial movement of the poor. The four people who have remained in the state with the white folks pro gram all feel neutral to the former idea, believing -it should be a function of the National Council of Churches, the Southern Regional Council, the Mississippi Council of Human Relations, and the public relations office of COFO. Too much work needs to be done in actual community organization toward a poor folks movement. At Point Cadet, the developments which proved b- to be costly were two rumors. One was that we civil rights workers(and therefore working for Negroes) were trying to get Negroes into white schools at Point Cadet. The other,and the fatal one, was that the building we had rented as an office was to be used as an employment bureau to get Negroes jobs at the point. These rumors would not have gotten started had we been skilled community organizers. For one thing, a skilled -organizer would not let his identity be known un til he had the backing of the key potential leaders in the community. For another, he would quickly Inform'the com munity about the nature of his program and not sit idly by to have rumors kill it before it gets started. He certainly wouldn't have put a SNCC sign in the office window or attempted to have a precinct meeting of the Freedom Democratic Party to get people curious enough about him to call the owner and make bomb threats. All this did happen though and the owner evicted us. One more note on the Biloxi project. There Is a familiar sociological idea that groups are more immoral than individuals. Our experience in Biloxi bore this out. We found that we could canvass successfully in the white community for the Freedom Democratic Party, even in integrated teams. The reaction of the people was not generally hostile but rather neutral. Many interesting conversations extended to one or two hours. The blind submission to the "Southern Line" about the civil rights movement was hardly evident in individual contacts. To realize that these same contacts were the same people who attacked Ne groes at the beach wade-in of i960 with chains and spent the three following days rifling at Negro homes from cars, is quite a shock. The counties in which these programs will begin will be coun- ties in which neither Negroes nor white poor folks are in a ma jority, but in which an alliance between the two groups is es sential to form a political majority, A few counties where ra cial domination is a threat to one group and a few where the violence level of the white poor is high will be chosen to find out how to overcome those obstacles. An influx of volunteers in February is a necessity to meet the twenty-county goal. Please do all you can to recruit people. Bruce Maxwell White Folks Program Council of Federated Organizations Meeting, February 9 AGENDA (not necessarily to be cornered in the order listed) A. Special Reports Your Constitutional Rights (6) Welfare and Relief Program (5) Employment Committee for OOFO (4) B. Summer Programs Freedom Schools (3) Community Centers (3) Voter Registration Other political activity C. Local Reports Hattiesburg Canton Amite County Jackson Others D. Federal Programs E. Freedom Day Freedom Registration Challenging the Democratic National Convention Running candidates Dr# Aaron E* Henrv^ Pros© Rsv& R=L*l'e 8rsSthf Trsae Clarksdale^ Mlss9 £ a ska on, Mssu Atty? Cars;'a A0 Hall,, Sac. Jacksonf Miss,, THE COUNCIL OP FEDERATED ORGANIZATIONS B380- Ne» Farish st* Jackson* Miss* Feb* 5r 19C2 Dear officers and members? We anticipate the launching of a Southr-wide voter registration project-, beginning this Springs Funds will be available from National Foundations for use in Ideal communities for voter registration programs* To participate most effectively in this project, we will have to present- a unified plan of voter regis tration for the entire state to Mr* Wiley Brandon, Project Direc tor. This program should be in his hands no later than March 1st* We are calling a meeting of representatives from all interested organizations to discuss the aims^ schpe and strategy of such a plan. This meeting will be held in the Masonic Temple9 1072 Lynch at.| Jackson, Mississippi, on Sunday, at 11*00 A.M., February 18th9 We are asking that you send a representative from your organization prepared with the following information: 1. If possible, a report, in writing, of the status of voting and registration in your area0 2« An outline indicating how the plan may best be Imple mented in your area*, 3* A detailed financial budgetf Including such items as office maintenence, radio and T.V. spot time, News paper advertisements, local full and part-time workers, necessary materials. The major Civil Rights organizations will be working in conjunction with the Council* We feel It will take our combined efforts to initiate and sustain a successful program of voter registration in Mississippi. It Is urgent that your organization be represented at the meeting on February l®fch.ft Yours for freedom now, Caraie A„ Hall Secretary. 10 50 Lynch Street Jackson, MississipDl September 25, I963 Dear Friends of Freedom: There will be an important state-wide meeting of the Council of Federated Organizations on the first Sunday of October, at 10:00 A.M. The meeting will be held at the Masonic Temple, 1050 Lynch Street, Jackaon, Mississippi. At the meeting we will decide the following programs: 1) The scooe and concentration of the voter registration program of C.O.F.Q. 2) The welfare and food distribution program for the coming winter. 3) Establishment of a state-wide program of political education and the formation of political clubs. M Formulation of elans to carry through a state-wide Freedom vote just prior to the November election. 5) Discussion of which candidate to back in the November election. It is of great importance that you attend this meeting. Yours truly, Charles Evers, for Bob Moses ... Rev. R.L.T. Smith 'Aaron Henry hjo COFO NEWS II V^^-^ J^^J2^ 1017 Lynch St, if Jackson, Mississippi 352-9605 The Mississippi Student Union Convention - December 1961] "if I hadn't seon It with my own eyes I wouldn't have be lieved it, I was never in a whito school before. They have a greenhouse In their science room and their library is fantastic. All their rooms are big enough so you don't have to double up. They have tape recorders for their foreign language classes. Have you ever seen a colored school like that anywhere In Mississippi?" Roscoe Jones, the 17 year old president of the newly born Mississippi Student Union, was speaking to some 50 delegates In Jackson. They came from ten cities all over the state* This was the fourth state-wide meeting of the group and the first since last October, The main item on the agenda was whether to declare a public school boycott against the Superb-Jim Crow-educational-sysv. tem of Mississippi. The MSU was founded last January by ten high school students In Hattiesburg who wanted to participate In the^Freedom Day Voter Registration dVive sponsored by the Council of Federated Organiza tions,, Since there was school that day they decided to join in the Freedom Day picket .and declare a one day boycott of classes in protest against "the system". Three months later, in April, over £00 students met at Tougaloo College near Jackson and the MSU was on its way. The second state-wide meeting was called for August 8-9 in Meridian, Three delegates came from each town where the MSU oper ated, and they hammered out resolutions which touched on every thing from integrated schools, housing and jobs to the paving of streets and sidewalks0 The resolutions paralleled those drawn up by some of their parents In the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Par ty. Although at first, COFO members helped organize MSU meetings, by summer the students were doing moat of the work. Liz Fusco, the 28 year old Freedom School Coordinator for COFO, "describes the re--, lations between COFO and the MSU today{ "COFO was the father of the MSU but now they're entirely weaned and they run their own meetings and come to their own de cisions . All I ask thorn is to put my name on their mailing list. They still look to us for advice sometimes but they're really on their way to Independence ,,J Before the Jackson meeting a shy, unemployed high school graduate from that city talked about the "system": "We wanted to protest against the bad teaching at our school — the overcrowded classes, the old books, the lousy food. About 300 or 350 of us wore involved in a demonstration and the prin cipal told us that those who t-ok part wouldn't be able to grad uate. A few of us got arrested but the principal backed down, "What's really bad Is that I can only think of two teachers who really would discuss civil rights with us„„, but never at school. They have to sign a paper about what organizations they go to and they got to be careful or they lose their jobs. UP :tu« dents even have to sign a pledge when we register that we're net Ira'olved in no civil rights stuff," -2- Another former Jackson high school student (from a differ ent school) said that fear really permeates the whole system. His sister was expelled for a month just for singing a Freedom song, and he was threatened with expulsion by the principal when he wore a civil rights shirt to class.. Besides, he says, "parents are afraid of their kids standing up to their teachers, That's why you just can't learn about the truth in the schools down here. There's just about no one to tell it to you," This was the first meetin for some of the delegates, and at first they were a bit shy and unresponsive. A light-skinned girl from Jackson with skinny knees kept her eyes riveted on the speak ers and didn't say a word throughout the whole meeting. Sitting on another side of the circle was a round, dark-faced, smiling boy from Starkville who was expelled last month for passing around an MSU petition in his school. While munching a sandwich during the lunch break he talked about some of the problems he had exper ienced lately: "My teacher told me that It would be good if I left town be cause of ray work for the MSU. If I moved to a town 150 miles away from Starkville the whites wouldn't go that far to burn It down, but my mother's house is right In town ... and she hasn't paid for it yet, I wouldn't want my family to get hurt. I don't care about me." Inside the lodge hall the students wrapped their coats around themselves tightly. It was chilly Inside. Gradually the discussion livened up a bit although It always remained polite. Everyone re« ferred to Roscoe Jones as "Mr, President", and the girls as"young ladies"e They explained to each other that they were ordered away or never received a reply, when they tried to register at white schools. And x^hen they asked for permission to publicize meetings of their organization, they were almost always turned down. An articulate girl from Jackson po3ed the first objection to the idea of a state-wide boycott. The schools In Jackson, she said, were much better than these in the rest of the state. Foreign language classes;. for example, have tape recording equipment. Be sides, she added: "Wo might lose what i^o already have if we join the boycottc And our principal told us that if any of us walk out of school we should just keep on walking and he'll give us some walking papers. to carry along„ Someone else added that parents would also bo against a boy cott. The Starkville boy had an answer to that: "We got to talk to parents because they don't understand. Some are like real Uncle Toms and all they do is listen to the white man. Theyrre going to try to makp us> go to school, and they*l*. know If we don't get on that bus." The Jackson delegate continued her objections to a state wide boycott, Teachers here, she said, are really for civil rights and COFO, but It's the principals who are against tho movement. Then Roscoe Jones put one foot gently on a chair and reached both hands out to explain: "We all been thinking about this for a long time. All the principals and almost all the teachers tell us we got to get an education and that means listenlna to Mr, Charley (the white man), They been talking to him for a lot of years and they been brain washing us with that talk," But the Jackson delegate brought forth even stronger argu ments against a state-wide boycott and almost everybody had to agree with her: most students In Mississippi just didn't care. A tall, serious looking delegate from Vicksburg said that almost all the students in his city would support a boycott but many other delegates admitted that they would have a hard time getting even 50 percent of their class-mates to join them. It was agreed that at least 85 per cent of the students in a school should be willing to sign a boycott petition before one is called. Somebody said : "I don't think that any of you have triad to talk to all of the students In your schools. You can't just sk them to sign a pe tition without talking to them„ And you just can't expect them to come to your meetings unless we give them something to come for.*, some singing group for example. Once you got them inside then you can tell them all about the MSU." When the vote was taken the state-wide boycott was: defeated! the group decided instead to let MSU local affiliates call for boycotts in their area when they were ready. Everyone would sup port the local boycotts if they could. Nothing dramatic was accomplished at the meeting, but it was clear that the group was growing mere cohesive and that there was a strong consensus on important issues,, Even the Jackson delegate changed her mind, and before the vote, without fuss or embarrass ment, she announced that her delegation would go along with what ever the majority decided,. What has the MSU done so far? Once again, nothing dramatic, but In some schools members are regularity asking their teachers to discuss Negro history, civil rights, and "what we're doing in South Vietnam"0 And in some places MSU libraries have been set up and members teach In Freedom Schools, com amity centers and help register people to vote. In Meridian, students protested against the expulsion of two pupils x^ho wore LB J buttons to class, and they were successful„ In most cities the big issue of school integration has to wait. "Right now5', hoscoe Jones explains, "we're still trying to get on our feet3 It was only last summer when Mickey (Schwerner) took over the Meridian COFO project that I got very involved in this organization". hoscoe was sitting down after the meeting and talking to a few people and ho chose his words carefully: 4j- "But you can be sure of this — if we ever do get on our feet we're going to show Mississippi that they've got a fight on their hands. "Already some kids have been asking what is the best way for us to get our freedom and what should we do if we could be in the Governor's chair. "You know that resolution we drew up In Meridian. It wasn't just words, and we haven't forgot about it. Did you know that it -I. ______-I. ____T __-*-! ^ _ -IT* _.-_ 2 1_J_ ,3 __ _._ was written by young peopleo0. and here in Mississippi?" «**•»*" —my- ree r~ CA PROGRAMS f";^) r 303L7 Iyncft! Street TABLE OF CONTENTS xn "cr OQUCU ion •«.,',...... «». Historical Background SNCC Enters State Civil Rights Act Employed Summer Project Plans Voter Registration . • a • e o The Freedom Democratic Party and the Challenge to the Seating of Delegates at the National Democratic Convention ...... 7 Mississippi Democratic Party Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Basis for Convention Challenge Techniques for Field" Work ~. • * . • .11 Voter Registration Safety Canvassing Workshops Taking people to the courthouse . Community organization Precinct and County Meetings Time and Place Content Passing Resolutions Records Freedom Registration Outline of Mississippi Project Areas ....17 / By Congresstional District and County Political Map of Mississippi ., *... .23 Number of Negroes Registered by County ...... o...... 25 The Right to Vote: Summary of Relevant Federal Powers, History of Federal Action in Mississippi 27 Civil Rights Act of 1957 Civil Rights Act of 1960 Justice Department Actions in Mississippi Federal Litigation in Mississippi Afterword Panola County Report ....,, ,...._, 51 INTRODUCTION Historical Background In IbTb Rutherford B. Hayes, newly elected,President of the United States, ordered the withdrawal of Federal troops from the Southl That order, for all practical purposes, marked the end of Negro participation In Mississippi government. With the troops gone and Reconstruction in its, death-throes, the white population of the state united with their brethren across the South to carry out the grand design of "Redemption." Redemption meant the restoration of absolute white ,rule, and it entailed, first and foremost, the disfranchisement of the Negro freedman. Before the blacks could be dealt with--returned to their place--they must be stripped of the power given them by the; Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments; they must be driven away from the ballot box. Mississippi and the white South accomplished this goal in less than twenty years. The method was simple terror: beatings, lynchings, arson, torture.' It worked. Paralyzed by fear of the nightriding Klans, the Negro voter in Mississippi soon became all but extinct. The pat tern was repeated In all the states of the late Confederacy, and In 1901 the last Southern Negro Congressman left the House of Representa tives, if Mississippi's scourging of the black electorate seemed more brutal than that of the other ex-rebel states, it could be ex cused on the grounds that Mississippi had a far greater percentage of Negroes than any of them—and far more reason to fear. The means,^ in any case, was not - important; the victory bad been won. . Mississippi was once more the undisputed realm of the American White Man. The black body politic destroyed, the way was clear to build, under the wing of the state government, a society in which black "arrogance and aspiration" would he impossible. Jim Crow was born, and the Mississippi Negro came slowly to understand.that certain "privi leges" and facilities were "For White Only"--among them was the voting booth. The unwritten law of the new order (they called It Segregation) did not long remain unwritten. Lily-white legislatures passed bill after bill--enforcing the new system in every conceivable area of life, buttressing the wall, building higher, filling the chinks. By 1920 the Mississippi Negro had come to understand that everything^ he die; was a privilege, everything he had was a gift--subject to revocation at the whim of the "white folks," The equation .for the maintenance of this happy condition was simple: so long as the-Negro could mount no power, he represented no threat to the system; so long as he had no vote he had no power. Keep, him from voting. Negroes who objected either swallowed their objections, left for 0hicago, or died objecting. And so developed the lunatic non-politics of the ..Sovereign State of Mississippi. The state has always been too poor for economic is sues to form the basis of any meaningful political conflict. The state has always been too preoccupied with the maintenance of its iron grip, on the Negro to work toward eradicating its poverty. The status of the Negro has always been the one crucial, all-pervading issue: it-has al ways been the one subject absolutely closed to controversy. Concensus on the subject of the Negro has been essential, and required concensus in one area has a way of spreading to other areas. Solidarity became the keynote of Mississippi politics, but behind the wall of solidarity there existed only a vacuum. The prize always went to the candidate who could shout longest and loudest the word "Nigger," who was most eloquent in his appeals for the maintenance of "Our Way of Life." Bizzare stunts replaced stands on issues as a means of gaining support. There was always, of course, the vague antipathy of the hill folk for the rich planters of the Delta, but any political movement could easily be quashed by raising the spectre,of Negro power and calling for all-important solidarity. In 1954, with -segregation at last under attack, white Mississip- pians began to organize and institutionalize the state's isolation; the White Citizens Councils were formed in Indianola. Under pressure from the Freedom Movement the Councils were to grow into a semi-of ficial Committee of Public Safety, exercising something that looked very much like political rule over most of the state. Spreading from the Delta, the Councils organized all over Mississippi, loudly voiced their unswerving devotion to the principles of White Supremacy and State Sovereignty, and girded for the coming attack on Mississippi's Way of Life. SNCC Enters State The attack came in 196I, in the person of Robert Parrish Moses. With him came a handful of college students, and the first stirrings of Negro political resistance since the nineteenth century were begun. The, Freedom Rides had shown graphically that assaults on segregation per se would not work in Mississippi as they had in the upper and sea- bbaror"s.outhern states.. All of Mississippi was hard-core. _The power structure of the state, as embodied in the state government, was abso lutely resistant to the idea of any change in race relations. The government itself could spearheaorthe heavy-handed attack on "freedom riders," secure in the knowledge that the more vigorous and brutal the attack, the better the chances for re-election. There existed no political base for negotiation, no sound reason for moderation. It was clear that the Freedom Movement would make no positive headway in Mississippi until-the racial composition of the electorate was radi cally changec. , Voter registration, therefore, was chosen as the prime focus of movement activities in the state-, in..comparison to the mas sive, demonstrations taking place in the rest of the South, the program sounded mild. SNCC volunteers would be working under the legal um brella of hundred-year-old Constitutional amendments with the outspoken approval of the President--there was certainly no national controversy over whether the Negroes had the right to vote. There was no controversy in Mississippi either, the white popula tion was unanimous in the belief that voting was a privilege, one for which the Negro was obviously unfit. Moses' McComb registration drive met with mob violence and registrars who stood fast for disfranchise ment and White Womanhood. The balance of power in the registration books of Pike County did not change. In ealry 1962, SNCC workers moved north into the cotton counties of the Delta, and Greenwood be came the focus of voter registration activity. Here again the spec tacle of queues of would-be Negro registrants provoked the white com munity Into vigilante action--this time with the adde>d touch of Council- organized economic freeze-outs. SNCC's Mississippi work force was steadily growing--the new recruits being for the most part native Misslssippians, and. CORE'S task force had entered the state to begin projects in Canton and Meridian. COFO was in its formative stages. The Mississippi staff settled down to the long dull grind of spreading the gospel. Canvassing and persuasion took up most of their time; a good deal of It was spent in dilapidated county jails. There was al ways the risk of an occasional beating; lynch mobs and shootings were infrequent but never unlikely, it became apparent that this was going to take some time. Ongoing projects were established in Hattiesburg and Greenville, In mid-1963 Negro registration stood at roughly three percent of all registered voters in the state; fewer than six percent of all elligible Negroes were registered.. It was decided that no dramatic progress would be forthcoming in the actual registration of Mississippi Negroes until the Federal Government saw fit to enforce the Constitu tion in the Sovereign State. Attempts at registration, however, were to continue. The pressure on Mississippi from within Mississippi-- and with it pressure on Washington--would increase, Programs for the political education of the Mississippi Negro would be developed. Along with their regular voter registration activities field workers would be expected to organize communities and teach them the rudiments of Democracy. The Freedom Vote Campaign in the autumn of 1963 (in which large numbers of white volunteers participated for the first time) proved the basic soundness of this approach. Negroes in the state were eager for political activity; they wanted to register, they wanted to vote. Civil Rights Act Employed The U.S. Department of Justice in the meanwhile had not been com pletely inactive. The Civil Rights Act of i960 had empowered the De partment to Institute suits against entire states as well as against; individual registrars in cases where a "pattern or practice' of voter discrimination was found. Suits were brought against the registrars of Forrest and Madison counties, enjoining them from further interference with Negro applications. When Department investigators discovered "pattern and practice" in some sixty-odd of Mississippi's eighty-two counties, a suit was brought against the state itself, challenging the validity of the "constitutional Interpretation" segment>of the application form. An extremely important Circuit Court decision in the spring of 1964 ordered the registrar of Panola County,to dis pense with both the constitutional interpretation test and the duties of a citizen" section of the form. At about the same time a consti tutional amendment outlawed the stipulation of payment of poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections. Summer Project Plans • By May of 1964, with the "invasion" of the Summer Project peace Corps" imminent, the focus of the COFO political staff had largely shifted to political education programs and state-wide community or ganization. A "Freedom Registration" campaign was conceived; field staff would be supplied with their own registration books, follow regis tration procedures similar to those in Northern states, and attempt to enroll as many as possible of Mississippi's four-hundred-odd thousand unregistered but "elliglble" Negroes. The Freedom Registration rolls, like those of the state itself, would stay open year round. The final difference between the Freedom books and Mississippi's official books would serve as an indicator of the extent to which Mississippi Negroes were intimidated or discouraged from registering by official procedures In the June 2"Democratic primary of 1964, a black-belt miracle occurred. For the first time since Reconstruction four Negro candidate were in the running for national office, trying to take three Congres sional seats and the Senate seat of John Stennis.' No.one really ex-^ pected that Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hamer, Mr. Houston, or Rev. Cameron stood a chance of victory, but their campaigns were valuable in terms of staf; experience--and more Important, they generated a good deal of political Interest in the Negro community. The experience gained in their cam paigns would be Invaluable In the formation of the Freedom Democratic party. At about the time, the "Freedom" candidates announced themselves, field workers were put on alert that they were responsible for aiding in the formation of an opposition party In Mississippi. The Mississipp: Freedom Democratic Party was to roughly parallel the Mississippi Demo cratic Party in structure, but its platform and statement of principles was to be in polar opposition to those of that racist body. The plat form of the MFDP was, In fact, to coincide closely with that of the it- National Democratic Party, Based on the fact that it has been several decades since the Mississippi Democrats, for all practical purposes, disassociated themselves from the National Democratic Party and its aims, an effort was to be made to unseat the "regular" Mississippi delegation to the Democratic National Convention and to replace it with the Freedom Party delegates. The new party was to composed en tirely of native Mississippians, and organizational efforts throughout the summer would be focused on the Atlantic City Convention in August. This is roughly where we stand in the summer of 1964. The State Legislature is in a panic; it has just passed What is probably the biggest batch of clearly unconstitutional laws in the history of this country. The Citizens Council is stronger than it has ever been. The Klu Klux Klan has revived in the southwestern.part of the state, and burning crosses are spreading eastward and northward. The Hederman papers have managed, In a few short months,: to foster a climate of panic and fear in the white community that has spread throughout the state, it is in this climate that COFO political workers must continue and intensify present registration drives, begin as many new drives as our numbers will permit, and aid Negro communities in the formation of purposeful Indigenous leadership. The danger now is greater than it ever has teen--and so Is our hope. 5. Voter Registration Summer Prospects Voter registration, this summer as always, will form the backbome of COFO's efforts. Mississippi will not change until the distribu tion, of power on the voting rolls is changed, and all the stopgap measures we can plan will not alter this fact, AS the situation stands, we will probably not be able to actually register large numbers of Negroes this summer; what we can do is encourage large numbers of attempts. Every Negro who attempts to register represents a victory; every rejected application means another ounce of pressure on the State, another mandate for action for the Justice Department. The job of the voter registration worker is to get the people to try. No one can give you specific instructions on what to do in your area this summer: do as much as you can. What is possible depends on the mood of the area, on the level of fear, on the intensity of white resistance. There is no set one way—fake it. The stock work of ordinary voter registration is the simple day-to day business of canvassing, informal teaching, and taking groups to the courthouses. The problem at this level is not the sheriff or the Ku Klux Klan, but the fear and apathy of the Negro c o. .nunity . Until a local leadership is developed, you, as the "outside agitator" are the leadership. You must become acquainted with the Negro c ommunity — develop a general feeling of trust ana confidence in you. This is the the first step toward developing the community's confidence in you. This is the first step toward developing the community's confidence in itself—toward the creation of a self-sustaining local movement. The worker must give the impression of being courageous but not foolhardy, competent but not all-knowing. Be yourself, do your job, preach Freedom, and the community vail come. Keep in mind that you have just begun to t^ar down a set of attitudes that has taken three and a half centuries to build. Talk and keep talking; there are enout,h people anxious to shut you up without your own timidity interfering. Also keep listening, and remember that fear will often cause words to mask real responses and that you must learn to hear wh£ft is beneath the words. Your job is communication. Find for yourself the best ways to spread the Word. It may be best to work through a group of strong po potential leaders; you may have to screen the whole community to find them. It may be that no local people are willing to step out and risk the special attentions of the white community; move those willing to move as a group until there is enough Negro t " •"• :ap solidarity to make "stepping out" feasible. You will find in time that the dimple process of delivering small groups of Negroes to the courthouse is not enough. The people become frustrated, discouraged. Weekly mass meetings pale when the community can see no absolute progress in registration—what's the use? The entire community must somehbw.be involved, a feeling of real movement must be restored. Calling a "Freedom Day" may revitalize the town as well as providing a probable basis for a Federal suit. The essence of a Freedom Day is that it gives the entire Negro community a sense of solid achievement—at the end of the day everyone participating feels that he has really done something—that the whole town has worked together to win a victory. 6 The °outern Christian Leadership Conference holds bi-weekly citizen ship training sessions at Dorchester, Georgia. See if you can find local people with leadership potential who might benefit from such training. Most of the outstanding local leaders developed so far have been products of N0rchester. The trainee's travel expenses are paid by SCLC, and he returns from the session capable of conducts ing semi-formal citizenship classes. If and when you find a likeley candidate, contact ^nnelle Ponder in Jackson. Finally, keep in mind that weekly reports to the Jackson office are essential. One research-communications person yn your project will have the assignment of sending in these reports. Your respon sibility will be to keep track of the information he requests and to channel it to him. ^ome of the information that is crucial is contacts made, meetings held, white reactions. If this material is not filed in Jackson, we will lo;-e the benefits of the work you have done when you leave the state. Whatever you do, make every effort to carry it through to a finish of some sort; if any program must be dropped or abandoned, make sure to explain to the community why it must be. Maintain a feelin^. of motion, of purpose; when, the community sings "We Shall Overcome" it should mean it, it should believe it. 7 The Freedom Democratic Party and the Challenge to the Seating of delegates at the National Democratic Convention In addition to the regular voter registration drive a extensive voter education process is scheduled for this summer. This is the year of the presidential election and the national conventions, in conjunction with this activity COFO has outlined a program designed to bring Mississippi Negores (both registered and unregistered) in closer contact with the political activity that can meaningfully affect their lives. Mississippi Democratic Party This summer as in the summer of every presidential year a conven tion is to be held to decide the Democratic nominees for President and Vice-President and to write a statement of party aims during the next few years. The Democratic convention this year will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, starting August 24th. Delegates from Mississippi are to take part In the convention. It was decided at the last National Democratic Convention that each state's representation at the 1964 convention should be determined as: three times the number of electors allocated that state in the elec toral college, plus one vote for each 100,000 votes cast for the Democratic party nominee in i960, plus a bonus of ten votes for each state which cast all Its electoral vote for the Democratic party nominee in i960. Mississippi has 22 votes: 21 for Its electors(the state has seven electors), and 1 vote for having cast over 100,000 votes for Kennedy in i960 (Kennedy lost out to a slate of unpledged electors In the election, the electors voted for Sen. Byrd). The con vention also gives a vote each to the national committeeman and commit- teewoman from each state. Thus Mississippi has a total of 24 votes at the convention. There are 2,316 votes at the convention. Traditionally, each of the regular convention votes is split be tween two delegates, and each pair of delegates is accompanied by one alternate delegate. Mississippi, therefore, will send 44 regular" delegates, each with one-half vote, and 22 alternates. Add to this the two members of the Democratic National Committee, and you find that 68 Mississippians will be seated in Convention Hall on August 24, The Convention is managed by the Democratic National Committee, which is composed of one man and one woman from each of the fifty states (and the U.S.'s territories). These committeemen and committeewomen are entitled to one vote apiece at the national convention. The Demo cratic National Committee also draws up a temporary roll for the con vention- -this roll contains the names of the people who are expected to represent each state when the convention is held. Unless this list Is challenged, either by the Credentials Committee or from the floor of the convention, these are the people who will represent the Democrats of Mississippi at the Convention. Mississippi normally chooses its delegates to the National Con vention at the Democratic District Conventions (or Caucuses) and at the State Democratic Convention. It is usually known beforehand who will be elected, the orders having come down from above, from the controlling state political machine. Actually there are a series of conventions in the state, of which the state convention is the last. The Precinct Conventions are always held on a Tuesday, always at 10 a.m.---this year on June l6--all over the state. Every regis tered voter is elllgible to participate in the meetings, though the voter must attend the convention of his own precinct. The County Democratic Executive Committee is to have supplied each precinct with a temporary Convention chairman and secretary (who have in their pos session the proper number of delegates to be elected to the County Convention and certification for that number of delegates). Precincts are allocated anywhere from one to six votes in the County Convention; any county which is unsure of its proper representation is to assume that it has only one vote. The registered voters assemble, vote a permanent chairman and secretary, then elect delegates to the County Convention. Two delegates (with one-half vote each) and two alternates are usually selected for each vote. Resolutions may also be adopted, though they are legally meaningless. T^e County Convention normally meets a week or so after the Pre cinct Conventions. The delegates elected at the various precinct con ventions assemble, with their certification, at the County Courthouse, They listen to a keynote address, then vote to select their delegates to the state convention (these delegates also attend the district con vention). Each county is by law entitled to twoice as many votes as it has representatives in the State legislature. Here again, the votes are split, and pairs of delegates are elected for each vote. Alternates are chosen for each half vote. This over with, the convention splits into five caucuses—by supervisor's districts—and nominates candidates to the County Democratic Executive Committee. Every county in the state is divided Into five supervisor's districts (or beats); the beats are an administrative convenience and are a source of some patronage op portunities. Each beat nominates three candidates from their area to the committee. The nominations are usually ratified by the assembled convention on the floor, but new nominations may be made before voting. The County Convention is managed by the County Executive Committee. ^e District Caucus follows the County meeting by about a week. The delegates from the county assemble by Congressional district and elect who will carry their District's three votes to the national Democratic Convention. The District Caucus also elects three members to the State Democratic Executive Committee and one candidate for Democratic Presidential elector. A week or so after the last District Caucus is finished, the dele gates from the counties meet all together in Jackson for the State Democratic Convention. The convention ratifies the earlier elections by the various District Conventions and proceeds to nominate and elect the remaining seven votes allocated Mississippi at the national convention. It chooses the national committeeman and committeewoman. It nominates two more candidates for the electoral college. The State Convention also adopts a party platform and statement of principles... which seldom agrees with the platform of the National Democratic Party. Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Most Mississippi Negroes, because they are excluded from the rolls of registered voters, are not elliglble to participate in selection of the Mississippi delegates to the national convention. COFO, however, has been instrumental in providing a framework for participation in this process for both registered and unregistered voters. In conjunc tion with a number of local groups around the state a political party has been organized. This party will attempt to seat its delegates at the national convention in place of those delegates chosen by the Democratic party in Mississippi, This newly formed party Is called the Freedom Democratic Party (FDP) or the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). This party is open to citizens of all races and encourages political participation of all. Registrars are being established in every county in the state; re gistrants will fill out a simplified voting form, the Freedom Registra tion form, based on the voting application used in several Northern states. The only requirement for registration is that the applicant be over 21 years of age and a resident of the state. Between 200,000 9 and 300,000 people will be registered before the national convention in August. Any citizen who is registered in this manner Is eligible to vote in the Freedom Democratic Party conventions and to take part in the affairs of the party. The FreedomlDemocratic Party v/as established in April of this year. At a meeting on April 26, approximately 200 delegates estab lished a temporary State Executive Committee of the Freedom Democratic Party. The temporary State Executive Committee will be responsible for supervising the calling of meetings throughout the state, these meetings to parallel the meetings through which the Mississippi Demo cratic party selects its candidates to the National Convention. These meetings will follow the pattern stipulated in the Election Laws of Mississippi as closely as possible. The election of the delegates and alternates of the Freedom Demo cratic Party will proceed as follows: Precinct Meetings: These may be attended by anyone who has been registered on the Frredom Registration books, Including persons who may or may not be registered on official' books"7of" the state of Missis sippi. These meetings will take place from mid-June through July 21 throughout the state. County Conventions: Any person may observe, but only the delegates from the precinct meetings may take part. In many places a county meeting may be held in conjunction with the precinct conventions, the county breaking down into precincts right at that time. The time schedule is the same as that for the precinct conventions. District Caucuses: Scheduled for July 24. State Convention: In Jackson July 26. At each level the procedure is just the same as that of the Mississippi Democratic Party as far as the election of delegates and the selection of county and state executive committees. Any variations will be published as official notification by the Freedom Democratic Party Executive Committee. The delegates and alternates so selected will attend the national Democratic Convention where they will challenge the credentials of the presently recognized Mississippi Democratic Party delegation. The Freedom Democratic Party delegation will consist of 46 delegates and 22 alternates—the number allotted to the state of Mississippi by the Democratic National Committee. In order to test the Mississippi Democratic Party, Negroes will also attend precinct meetings of the Democratic party throughout the state. While they are likely to be admitted in some areas, they are not likely to be allowed to participate fully In the meetings. The discrimination that is sure to occur at these meetings on June 16, particularly in the "hard core" segregationist areas of the state, will be an additional basis for the convention challenge. Basis for the Convention Challenge A. The Mississippi Democratic Party discriminates against Negroes who wish to participate in the party and in state political affairs. The Mississippi Democratic Party has control of the state execu tive, legislative and judicial branches. All 49 Senators and all but one of the 122 representatives are Democrats. All state executive officials such as the governor, secretary of state and attorney general are Democrats. The state legislature has consistently passed laws and set regis tration standards which exclude Negroes from the registration rolls. 10 The state executive was elected to. office on the basis of a cam paign which was largely directed to keeping Negroes from register ing to vote. The state judicial system does not give Negroes judicial relief in voting cases. Only cases carried to the federal courts have resulted in any measure of relief for Negro applicants. County registrars are elected to office and all county registrars are Democrats. These registrars often refuse to register Negroes even though they are qualified by Mississippi registration stan dards. Only the registered voters can vote in the Democratic primaries. Thus, exclusion from registration means exclusion from the Demo cratic Party. B. The Mississippi Democratic Party has consistently devoted itself to the perpetuation of segregation, racism, and the oppression of minorities. The Party has made it impossible for Negroes of the state or white people who consider all people to be citizens to find it in their interest to participate in the Democratic Party of the state as it is now constituted. C. Mississippi citizens who are in sympathy with the goals, platform and candidates of the National Democratic Party cannot support these goals, platform and candidates by becoming a part of the Mississippi Democratic Party. The Mississippi Democratic Party did not support the Kennedy-Johnson ticket in i960 and shows in dications of not supporting the national Democratic candidates in the coming election. The Johnson Journal, Vol. 3, Fall 1963, an organ of Governor Paul Johnson In last fall's statewide elec tion campaign, printed the following headlines: "Landslide Eliminates National Democratic influence," "Both National Parties Are Our Enemies." The article under them began: "The people of Mississippi have rejected decisively the influence of the Kennedy- dominated National Democratic Party. The Mississippi Democratic Party (is) completely free of both national parties, and (is) solely an instrument of the citizens of this state..." TECHNIQUES FOR FIELD WORK 11 V2.ter Registration Safety 1. Know all roads in and out of town. 2. Know location of sanctuaries and safe homes in the county. 3. Make arrangements for regular checks with the Jackson office and/or the county office. 4. Decide whether night or day work is preferable. Canvassing 1. Take pencil and paper to record any information that seems pertinent. 2. Remember that you are asking people to take their time to listen to you. You should try to present yourself in a vray that will make them want to talk with you, 3. If a person closes the door in your face or will not talk wih you, try to find out selsewhere why he did it. Everybody can be approached, but it may take much time and patience to reach some people. 4. If a person talks but show obvious reluctance, don't force a long explanation on them. Come back another day to explain more. Soften them up through repeated exposure. This builds confidence and builds a relationship. 5. If a person invites you in but then doesn't listen to you, try asking questions to get their attention. Try talking about other things and eventually working back to your program. $, If a person listens and seems interested, try to give them something to do to keep their interest up. Use them to help you con tact other people. Use them to talk with the rest of their family. 7. If a person already knows what you are telling him, find out how he knows it. Perhpas there is already a group in existence that nothing is known about. Perhps there are channels of communication that could be valuable in the future. S. When canvassing try to have a single idea in mind, e.g. gettiig people out to a mass meeting that evening or setting up a workshop. Don't overwhelm a person with too much at any one time. Workshops 1. Arrange any materials (pencils, aper, application blanks, etc) beforehand so that the workshop isn't hung up for lack of these fundamentals, 2. Emphasize that any question is a good question. Encourage people 12 (Voter Registration Continued) to speak up, to ask questions, to bring out their own ideas. 3. Whenever possible, use the local residents to lead the work shops, to answer the questions, to take charge. Ultimately the people will be left alone, they can never start standing by them selves. 4. Go slowly enough to include everjrone. Ask questions, get the people to call a halt—use any technique to judge whether your speed is correct, 5. Many times people like to open and close workshops with a song and a prayer, 6. Praise people freely. Compliment them for any small thing. . This business is new for most people and they are easily intimidated Taking People to Courthouse 1. Arrange transportation when necessary. 2. Be prompt if a time is agreed on. 3. Encourage people to go at least by twos, there is strength in numbers. 4. Accompany people to the door of the registrar's office where possible. At least go as far as the local authorities will permit. Community Organizations 13 The one main purpose of worker involvement in a given location is to develop a community organization that will continue to"""aork without any help from outside. From the beginning involve local people in all activities end in as many policy-making and organiza tional decisions as possible. 1. The church serves as a central social and inspirational purpose in the Mississippi Negro community, In virtually all cases §rou must end should make use of this church involvement. Contact the miniates even if they won't always leade they ^re usually at least sympathetic enou h to eive names ana to provide assistance in some way. The church building is a natural home of mass meetings ond 'oricshops . 2. In any community there ^re people, ..no are looked up to and who are already recognized as leaders in some sense. Time spent with these people can be more profitable in the sense that the leaders in turn may have much greater leverage then you have; they can bring many of their people along with them, 3. On first contact in most ureas there is a natural distrust and fe fear of any new person. It takes time to overcome this; the local people must know who you are end what you ure before they will begin to open up. Just being seen day after day, nekiii_; sure that local people are aware you ere always around, may serve to relax some of the tension. Sometimes small talk helps. Use of any normal com:ion bond is to be encouraged; by contrast, however, bizarre attention- getting stunts simply have no place in the movement. 4. Tolling to children, small children particularly, may frighten parents. It is generally impossible to reach parents through children. Children, particularly teen-agers, are e valuable and -.orkao e part of the movement , but they are dealt with separately from their parents. 5. The community will be organized around aprogram such as voter registration. Keeping people involved with specific tas^s and duties (e.g., providing transportation to the courthouse or teaching one workshop a week) mill keep them -aith the movement and give than as sense of involvement. O . Membership cards, buttons, T-shirts.,: stickers, decals, poster — any ahd all of these on a person or in a home or ioifide serve to iv give people cssen&e of belonging of t-.-.ing part. T..ese ere not sub stitutes for participation in the ,-aorari, but tney ..re meaning!ul. Precinct and County Meetings 14 Time and Place 1. Use a regular county .eetina t et eople are used to attending a/here possible. 2. If there is enough community organization^ hold separate precinct meeting; in each recinct, Otherwise., just break a county meeting into precincts, and hold precinct and copnty aieetings in ttbe same place one right after the other. a. Seek to hold this county meeting in the county courthouse—one's right as a citizen. 4. Canvas sing, letters, telephones—all should be used to announce meetings and encourgge attendance. 5. anyone can attend the meeting, ^t the meeting people who are not already Freedom Registered should be registered before the meeting starts. Content 1. Election of Delegates: nt precinct meetings you can elect up to 10 votes to go to the counoy meeting. You can split votes, using the same procedure as that used in regular Democratic party aieetings. You can secure the number of delegates and alternates to elect from c county conventions-by calling Jackson. • • Election of_ good delegates is,extremely Important. People should be encouraged to nominate a s'trohg: adoption, Tne person nominates need not be present. Jxn integrated delegation, a/here poasible, is ideal. 2. Election of the County executive Conrittee This committee, co..loosed of id people, can serve as a political education committee for the county. If we can get these co imittaes elected in each county, they can serve as a unit of county organiza tion for later pi. rtp ork. They normeilp control voting. 3• Pass ins, Resolutions This is a valuable ex^e: lance, even though the resolutions have no binding effect. Resolutions on supporting National lemocratic Party candidates, civil rights, or any others can be passed and brought to the state convention. You do not have to have resolutions. 4. Records Keep careful records of who ettenad, what business was"transected, who Ttere the delegates elected, any unusual occurrences. Send a copy of this information to Jackson and keep a copy for "our files. page 15 Organizing for Freedom Registration The success of COFO's entire political program will to a great extent depend on how well the freedom registration campaign goes. A thorough explanation of the significance of this pro gram will come later at the section meeting. What follows here will be a simple listing of the specific organizing jobs. Freedom Registrars: There will be 82 Freedom Registrars — 1 in each county of the state. Each Freedom Registrar will have as many Deputy Registrars working under him as possible. The job of the Mississippi staff and summer volunteers will be first to recruit these Registrars and Deputy Registrars, Freedom Registration Forms: People who work on voter registration during the summer will also work on freedom registration. They will get. people to fill out the freedom registration forms as they attempt to convince people to go down to the Courthouse to officially register. Qualifications for Freedom Registration 1. Registrants must be over 21. 2. They do not have to be literate, 3. They must be able to answer questions as you read them and write the answers. (Illiterate people will sign "Xs" as you and others witness). 4. They must have lived in the state for at least 2 years and In the county for 1 year. 5. Both people who are registered and who are not regis tered on the "official" registration books are eligible to register on the freedom registration books. - OUTLINE OF MISSISSIPPI PROJECT AREAS 17 First Congressional District 1. Lowdnes County a. Columbus Is the county seat. There has been relatively little activity there. Police harrassment has been minimal, but probably will' increase as workers become more active. Negro leadership seems to be somewhat reticent to the COFO programs and the local community is some what afraid of us. However, the fear is not so intense that it oannot be broken with persistent effort. There are several strong students (high school). The situation in most of the key cities in this part of the state are quite similar to that of Columbus. Second Congressional District 1, Leflore County a. Greenwood is the county seat, and SNCC maintains a two story office there, manned by approximately five people. Leflore County is generally considered a hard core resistance area. The two years of activity there has resulted in hundreds of registration attempts by Negroes, with less than 30 actually getting registered. Voter registra tion activity in Leflore County has been documented with shootings, beatings, bombings, arrests, and at least one incident of lynch-mob violence. b. Itta Bena Is about 15 miles west of Greenwood. The effort there was first met with bombings (tear gas) of the church where meetings were being held. In June of I963, harrassment culminated with the arrest of 45 local people as they marched in protest of the lack of police protection. In spite of this there has been persistent activity there; but the results in terms of people actually getting registered has been negligible. 2, Sunflower County a. Ruleville is the focal point of activity, some 23 miles from the courthouse in Indianola the county seat (vihlch is the birthplace of the white citizens council), Senator J. Eastland maintains an office in downtown Ruleville, and has a plantation in nearby Doddsville. Ruleville also is cnnsidered to be a rural hard core resistance area, and activity there has been dotted with shootings, jailings, eoonomic reprisal, and police harrassment and- intimidation. Probably it wlill be one of the centers of resistance to the summer project. Local people are strong however and will stand up with the workers. 3, Holmes County a. Mlleston is about 12 miles from Lexington, the county seat. We have a core of good people in the Mlleston area. The county has resisted actually registering Negroes, and early In the vote drive the heme of one of the key local leaders was shot Into and set afire with Holotov cocktails. Lately, harrassment has been minimal, but could increase with a real hard vote drive in the county. IS 4. Bolivar County a. Cleveland Is one of the county seats (the other being Rosedale). Activity there is comparatively recent, but it is the feeling of workers there that with increased activity there will be increased resistance, interms of economic and physical reprisals. Cleveland has a history of police violence. Rosedale is a river town (Mississippi river) In the traditional rough and rowdy, depressed and violent sense. b. Shaw is about 15 miles west of Cleveland and our activity there has been met with little resistance, it's a depressing little town physically, with virtually every Negro living in shacks, There has been a very good response to our programs. The town can be gotten to move. Mound Bayou is an all Negro town about ten miles north of Cleveland. The Negro leadership there is conservative, and the town itself is generally hostile to whites. However in terms of programs, the leadership can be circumvented and the local people reached. 5. Washington County a. Greenville is the county seat, and the center of our operations in the county. It is considered a liberal city. The editor of the local nexvspaper supports the voter registration effort. All city officials can be talked to at various levels. The Negro leadership is generally conservative (Greenville is the stronghold of black republicanism) and tends to articulate the white power structure line about "only the qualified" Negroes trying to vote. There has been some direct action (e.g. sit-ins, marches, pickets) in Greenville, and more is likely to occur this summer. Psychologically, Greenville is a difficult town to work (apathy as well as fear) but certainly there is plenty of mobility to work. • 6• Issaquena County a. Maversvilie Is the county seat (pop, I87) and no Negroes are re gistered to vote, in 1961 they weren't accepting poll taxes. There is a core of strong people in this very rural county (slightly over 3000 people). Activity has been sporadic in this county and as yet we have met with virtually no resistance. 7. Sharkey County a. Rolling Fork is the County seat and when we have had activity there, we have met strong resistance from the local authorities. Fear is intense and at this point persons working the county will have to live outside of it. There are 3 Negroes registered. Workers should expect strong resistance from local whites. 8. Tallahatchie County a. Charleston is one of the county seats (the other Is Sumner) and there is a core of strong people ready to move. Workers should expect active resistance from local white and local authorities. The sheriff of this county is notorious for his violence to Negroes, b. Swan Lake is a rural settlement a few miles southeast of SumneV. Recently it has been the scene of mob violence and beatings apparently not connected to voter registration since we have had.no project there. However in investigating this violence we have established some good contacts and are able to house workers there. Workers should expect constant harrassment and intimidation and personal violence, 9. Humphries County a. Belzoni is the county seat and the scene of violence directed towards persons engaged in voter registration activities in the early fifties. A confederate flag flies before the county courthouse. There is intense fear in the adult Negro community, but a core of teenagers who can be mobilized. Persons working there should expect constant and extreme harrassment. 10. Marshall County a. Holly Springs Is the county seat, a relatively moderate city. There is a strong core of college students who are actively involved with COFO. 11» Panola County a. Batesvllle and Sardis are the county seats. This is proinably one of the most Important counties in the state right now. The circuit clerk has been directed by court order to eliminate the use of the « literacy test, aid all people attempting to register, and hire deputy registrars if necessary, over a one year period. This means that ' rap..!, virtually every Negro who tries can actually get registered. There is. a potential of 7000 new Negro voters within a year. There is strong local adult leadership, and a number of interested students who want to get actively involved. Harrassment so far has been minimal but could increase in light of the court order and our increased activity there. There has been one shooting into one of the churches used for meetings. One import ant thing about the local leadership is that it takes the initiative (e.g. sponsored their own freedom vote, and drew up their own petitions to send to the justice department). Note: These, eleven listed counties are all Delta counties, located in northwestern Mississippi. All of them are well over 50$ Negro in pop ulation, it is also the area where we have met the most resistance to Negroes registering and voting -- the birthplace and stronghold of the white citizens council, dominated by the huge plantations. All of the delta counties have not been listed, but from areas such as Gree.nw*--^ Third Congressional District 1. Adams County a. Natchez is the county seat, located nn the Mississippi river. Our efforts there have been met with violence on the part of local whites (Natchez Is one of the strongholds of the Klu Klux Klan) and harrassment by local officials. Workers can expect this to be constant during the summer. 2.0 2. Pike County a. McComb is just a few miles from the county seat located In MagnoliE Some of SNCC's earliest work was begun in McComb, where student demon strations were sparked. Here too workers can expect active resistance from local whites. Workers can also expect to be met with suspicion by local Negroes as they feel that SNCC deserted them in 1961. ' 3. Amite County a. Liberty is the county seat. The county is rural and a strong hold for the Klan and a group called the Association for the Preserva tion of White Supremacy. SNCC also has historical roots in this county. Workers have been beaten and arrested. One local contact was shot and killed, and the witness to the killing has more recently been killed. At this point, Negroes are being systematically driven from the country, and white businesses are being forced to fire Negroes. Workers can ex pect extreme resistance to their activities at all levels. We have, however, a core of good strong contacts. Note: These last three counties are located in southwestern Mississippi, at this point, probably the most dangerous area In the state. Workers can expect organized violence, harassment and intimidation directed towards them. 4. Warren County a. Vicksburg is the county seat; comparatively urban and moderate in attitude. Workers can expect a degree of mobility. Harassment so far has been minimal. Local leadership tends to be conservative. With persi stant work, however, a good strong project can be developed. 5. Hinds County a. Jackson Is the county seat and state capital. The leadership is conservative and dominated by the NAACP. Work in Jackson will have to be done within the context of building a community base to circumvent the established leadership after the summer. Workers should expect harassment from the police, and to a lesser degree, from the local whites There will also be an undercurrent of resistance from the NAACP and local leadership which can be somewhat dealt with by developing a kind of political relationship with them. Expect frustrations. Fourth Congressional District 1. Madison County a. Canton is the county seat, an extremely strong Citizens Council town. Harrassment Is particularly Intense from law enforcement (?) officials seemingly directed mostly at local citizens. There has been consistent use of economic reprisals; very severe. Strong local leader ship has begun to emerge. Also there are very strong and very active young people. 2. Lauderdale County a. Meridian is the county seat, second largest city In the state. It is a comparatively moderate city in terms of resistance to COFO programs. The community center there has been operating for 4 or 5 21 months, with no resistance from the local authorities. There were some arrests in connection with a boycott on one of the stores. However, the store gave in and hired a Negro, and now the• workers are thinking of ex panding the boycott. Meridian is also the base for operations in about five adjacent counties. Local leadership tends to be conservative and has generally ignored the project. There is a bi-raciol committee (in existance for about 14 years) that Is slow moving and has accomplished virtually nothing. 3. Leake County a. Carthage is the county seat, A school desegregation suit is un derway there, and there is strong and enthusiastic local leadership. Can be a swinging project. Fifth Congressional District 1.Forest County "a. Hattiesburg Is the county seat. The circuit clerk Is under court order to cease discriminating against Negro applicants. Almost continu ally since January 22nd, local Negroes have been picketing the county courthouse. There have been arrests on a variety of charges. Intensity of police harrassment seems dependent on the amount of activity taking place. There is a strong core of local leadership of both adults and students. The power structure seems to be keeping local white violence down. Workers should expect to operate in adjacent counties also. The community seems enthusiastic about the program. We expect Hattiesburg to be one of the key centers of activity this summer. Across the summer there should be mounting pressure focused at the circuit clerk who has failed to cease discriminating, and at the fedtfml government for fail- *n© to take action against the circuit oierk (he should be In jail for civil and criminal contempt of court). 2. JowjLi^ounty a. Laurel js the county seat. It is one of the more moderate areas in the state, and harrassment should be minimal. The city has a conser vative Negro leadership and receptiveness to the COFO program has varied from lukewarm to cold. Two years ago there was a Laurel Nonviolent Move ment affiliated with SNCC. Most of the students involved have since left or ceased to bo involve^. Community involvement will probably be slow at first, but can be built up across the summer. 3. The Gulf Coast Harrison county Is the key county, with Gulfport and Biloxi being the key cities. Gulfport Is the county seat. Harrassment will be minimal and workers can expect mobility. These cities are located on the gulf of Mexico where there are bemitifui ae^o gated beaches. Here, alcohol Is sold freely, In a still prohibition state, and gambling is extensive. The Negro community forms a smaller percentage of the population than it does in other parts of the state. On the other hand, there has been more organization in this area (in the form of NAACP chapters) and as a result a high percentage of the Negro population is registered (some what better than 15%) Local citizens have been conducting wade-ins for a number of years, and probably there will be more this summer. These wade-Ins have been punctuated with violence. Most violence on the coast 22. has come from local whites. There have been a couple of bombings. As suming direct action takes place on the coast, workers can expect some violence from local whites to be directed at them. For the most part, however, the area is considered "liberal". Harrassment will be minimal and workers can expect mobility. 1. Harrison County a. Gulfport Is the county seat. Here, as in other coastal cities, the NAACP is strong and local leadership is generally conservative. But the summer program has won support and workers can expect a good response from the local community. b. Biloxi has been the scene of considerable direct action in recent years(mostly at the beaches) and is now involved in a suit to desegregate the schools. The young people are anxious to engage in a broad assault on segregated public facilities, but local leadership is extremely cautious. Response to the summer project has been lukewarm and It is pos sible that only a limited program will be undertaken in this city. 2. Jackson County • a. Pascagoula - Moss Point are actually two cities, though they are only separated by a bridge. There is one NAACP chapter which serves for both cities. MOF^ p<~>s.wfc oommunHjy -tioiida bo TJC one mox'e active of the two. TIJP leadership has been extremely receptive to the summer program and hive made extensive preparation to house people and to find facilities for Freedom Schools and Community Centers, Workers can expect excellent co-operation on every level. Actually, Mississippi Is oppressive everywhere, and when we speak of moderate of liberal (as in Greenville) we are talking about a lesser degree of oppressiveness. Any one of these areas is liable to tighten up and become a terror hole at any given time. It must be understood that the state is determined to perpetuate itself in its present form at all costs, and will use any method - no matter how extreme - it deems necessary. • S ! ! BEH- ' I ALCORS ' V., fC DE SOTO j.IARSIIi\LjLlTo«v:-' S JTISHO- /" • ^TIPPiLHl,- . - i -MQKIp I'-.xlIKICl TATE EEHTISg :/ i I— • — * I ! "" *; UHIOB ? i r'l ; I PAYOLA \ LAFiuTETTI "WT 5 ITTMA$BA |p^COi^:OhArtiUIT*' ". POETOSOCj LEE Cr~2 . _ • LIAli f~ ' "T # >\ \ !- '• *- -J*- CALI- . I y I/ ; hiATcin |:ouir qiiicK&.Siit LIOUROE J —W BOLIVAR! l~' a-1— r jgA-- . • c-..: GREHADA • • CLAY l fr foPE- «LEPLOE£ W,.;-.4 -E VL017ERI f f £ARR0LL "< "KHOG- Oi:TIBBEEA LOIAJDES fTAPJ ,!..„ . I —,' flTTALA j_pmiSTOE IOXUBEE f ./g_ r i —7*f ' " -' f TQO'ArU S J-'f \ . - / /CLAIRBOREE \ r^•-•'-.. „ j COPIAH s si *' i_ii' 1' -Lu.\- O W -. -\ COTIHCs- c LIECOLE iTOE • JOHES ' EAYEE f-'ADALiS , FRA1ELIIT i jju-ji- .ani.i IEECEj BAO§, .JjOl I 1 Jilu-Li !UiLj_jI_i_.li. \ ARIOE LANAR 1 '((TflLKIHSOH | AIIITE /PIKE E: v alALTBAMt .PEARL GEORGE ["RIVER 3T0HE IHSSIGSIPPI \ ; i - JAGK&OH ! 0 20 40 60> SO- X J"' .HARRISOH i | \ IlAilCOCE I I i i i , ,i scale of miles 25 vi umber of Negroes Registered by County The figures given here are from the 1961 U. S. Commission on Civil Rights Report on Voting. The figures are not exact, but they do indicate some of the trends and troubles in the state. County No. Non-whites No. Eon-white 5o Non-white Eligible Registered Registered Adams 9340 1050 11.2 Alcorn 1756 51 3.5 Amite 3560 1 0.03 Attala 4262 61 1.4 Benton 1419 136 9.6 Bolivar 15739 612 3.8 Calhoun 1761 0 0.0 Carroll 2704 6 0.22 Chickasaw 3054 0 0.0 Clairborne 39 69 158 3.5 Clarke 2988 0 \ 0.0 ' Clay 4444 1.0 0.23 Coahoma 14604 - 1960 13.4 Copla 6407 20 0.31 Covington 2032 '" 560 27.6 Desoto 6246 3 .05 Forrest 7495 12 .20 Franklin 1842 146 7.9 George 580 0 0.0 Grenada 4323 61 1.4 Harrison 9670 2000 20.7 Hinds 36138 5000 13.8 Holmes 8757 41 0.5 Humphreys 5561 2 0.04 Issaquena 1081 0 0.0 Itawamba 463 47 10.2 Jackson 5113 1400 27.4 Jasper 3675 6 0.20 Jefferson 3540 0 0.0 Jefferson- Davis O £-> £-> & 96 3.0 p. 26 County No. Non-whites No. Non-whites % Non-whites Eligible Registered Registered Lafayette 3239 134 4.1 Lamar 1071 0 0 Lauderdale 11,924 2000 16. a Laurence 1720 . 356 20.7 Lee 5130 231 4.5 Leflore 13,567 472 3.5 Loundes S362 63 Madison 10,366 607 o.5.9s alar ion 3630 400 11.0 Marshall 716S 17 0.2 Monroe 5610 9 0.2 Montgomery 2627 11 0.4 Noxubee 5172 0 0 Oktibbeha 4952 107 2.2 Panola 7250 10 0.1 Pearl River 2473 0 0 Perry 1140 127 11.1 Pike 6936 207 3.0 Quitman 5673 316 5.6 Rankin 6944 43 0.6 Sharkey 3152 3 0.1 Smith 1293 24 1.9 Stone S6S 39 4.5 Sunflower 13,524 161 1.2 Tallahatchie 6433 0 0 Tate 4326 0 0 Tippah 1281 176 13.7 Tishomingo 359 0 1.7 Tunica 5322 22 0.4 Union 1026 O 0.4 Walthall 2490 0 0 warren 10,726 1910 17.a Washington 20,619 2563 12.4 Wayne 2556 0 0 Webster 1174 2 0.2 Wilkinson 4210 110 2.7 Winston 3611 57 1.6 Yalobusha 2441 4 0.2 Yazoo 3719 179 2.1 Note: Not all counties are listed above. Some unlisted counties have more than 15$ of the Negroes registered. For other counties there is simply a lack of data. 27 The Right to Vote: Summary of Relevant Federal Powers History of Federal Action in Mississippi From the U.S. Constitution: AMENDMENT FOURTEEN Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law whclh shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States,- nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protec tion of the laws . AMENDMENT FIFTEEN Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of ervitude. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Civil Rights lot of 1957 This act, the first of its kind since 1875, established the United States Commission on Civil Rights. The Commission's func tions, as outlined in its 1963 Report, include: investigation of complaints charging violations of the Fifteenth Amendment, the study of Information concerning legal developments constituting denial of "equal protection," the apprnioai of Federal laws and policies with respect to "equal protection," and the submission of interim repnrt-s on its activities to the Congress. The Act also authorized the Department of Justice to bring civil suits to end discriminatory voting practices. Civil Rights Act of i960 TEIs act strengthened the 1957 act by providing that entire states, as well as Individual registrars, could be sued. It also required the preservation of voting records for 22 months and per mitted the appointment of Federal referees (to act as "registrars of appeal") in cases where there was a judicial finding of "pattern or practice" of discrimination. Justice Department Actions in Mississippi In lybl, the Civil RighTfs Commission found that "substantial numbers of Negro citizens had been denied the right to vote in 100 counties of 8 southern states." 38 of those 100 counties were in Mississippi, and, in the words of the 1963 Report, "subsequent investigation has indicated that this finding was conservative." Spurred in many instances by voter registration activities within the state, acting often on its own initiative, the Justice Depart ment has brought 17 suits in Mississippi. Six of these involve police or private intimidation, ten are directed toward registrar discrimination, and one "attacks the entire system of registration in Mississippi as being inherently discriminatory." 28 Federal Litigation in Mississippi Date Filed - July 6, 1961 Clarke Discrimination in registration. Injunc tion 2/5/63. Court (Southern Dist. Miss refused to order Negro reg. on same ba sis as prior white registration, refused finding of pattern or practice. Decision appealed to Fifth Circuit. July 6, 1961 Forrest Discrimination in reg. Court refused to issue injunction. Injunction is sued by Circuit Court on appeal. Re gistrar cited for contempt, found guilty 7/13/1963. Registrar appealed, trial date as yet unset. , August 3, 196I Jefferson ', Discrimination in reg. Court ordered Davis ' monthly reports from registrar 1/4/63. ! Registrar applying standards strictly. August 3, 1963 Walthall ; Discrimination in reg. Court gave no 1 decision, but ordered removal from j rolls of Illiterate white voters : called by gov't. 3 Negroes have regis. 1 tered. Oct. 26, I96I Panola » Discrimination in reg. District Court found against the gov't, on all issues. Appealed to £>th Circuit, favorable deci sion 5/22/64. Court ordered registrar to dispense with interpretation section of application form. Nov. 17, 1961 Tallahatchie; Refusal to accept poll tax payments and j discrimination in reg. District Court j refused to issue injunction. 5th Cir- \ cult reversed District decision I/28/63, I Issued injunction. Registrar appealed, ! no trial date set as yet. 5 - 10 Ne groes registered. April 13, 1962 George j Discrimination in reg. Temp, restrain- I ing order April 24. Gov't, requested j tightened injunction April '63. Court I giving registrar opportunity to recon- j sider rejected applicants before issu- ! Ing new Injunction. 5 Negroes register- I ed since filing of suit. Aug. 28, 1962 State of Challenge on Constitutional grounds of Mississippi 2 amendments to State Constitution and plus Amite, 5 statutes dealing with registration Clairborne, procedures plus discrimination by six Coahoma, registrars. The case is still in the Leflore, discovery stage. Lowndes and Pike. toy Federal Litigation continued Date Filed County Remarks Jan 26, 1963 j Sunflower jDiscriminat .on in registration. Not tried. July 16, 1963 j Hinds Discrimination in registration. Court t held that closing of books was not discriminatory, but required that appli cants be served on a first-come, first- served basis when books opened. March 2, 1964 ! Madison District Court refused to find "pattern or practice", but ordered registrar to I equip to handle at least 4 applicants at a time; to register at least 50 applicants a day so long as his services were in demand. Court limited to 25 the number of potential applicants who could stand in line at once. AfTERWORD It is obvious to any disinterested observer that the entire system of registration in Mississippi is designed to discourage the Negro applicant. The ''Constitutional interpretation (or "literacy') test" and the ''duties of a citizen1' sections of the application form give the individual registrar an incredibly broad discretion in the acceptance or rejection of applicants. The archaic and complicated poll-tax requirements (they are still legal in all state elections) form a further barrier to an equitable balance of power on the Mississippi registration books. Not until both these requirements are struck down as unconstitutional in fact will there be any hope of free elections in Mississippi. The Civil Rights Commission is considering requesting the appointment of Federal voting referees in every American county with less than fifteen percent of its Negro population registered. If enacted into lav/, this proposal would affect most of the Black-belt Deep South...it would affect all of Mississippi. Justice Department litigation in Mississippi must begin in the hostile atmosphere of the Federal District Courts. The Judges who sit on the bench in the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi are Federal Judges, but they are also Mississippians - and staunch white supremacists. A truly fair and objective hearing from Judge Harold W. Cox (Northern District) is generally considered to be impossible. Judge Cox is a Mississippian born and bred, and he shares the feelings of most white Mississippians, It is the feeling of most civil rights workers that "equal justice under law" is a farce at any level beneath the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. • 31 PANOLA COUNTY REPORT The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a decision by the District Court of Northern Mississippi, May 22, "opening" the registra tion books to Negroes in Panola County. The suit had been filed originally by the United States with Leo nard C. Duke, Circuit Court Clerk and Registrar of Panola County, and the State of Mississippi as defendants. The complaint was that Negroes were discriminated against in attempting to register to vote. The hope was that the trial court would issue an injunction enjoining the appel lees, their agents, employees and successors, from continuing the discri mination. The district Court ruled, however, that while white voters had been registered who were unable to pass the test, the fact that Negro voters had had to meet the standards was not discrimination. The Court said that not more than five or six Negroes had attempted to'register between 1932„and 1959 and one of these had been registered. Further more, there was no evidence showing that any Negro, who had been other wise qualified, had been denied the right to register. It should be noted here, that of 7639 voting age whites in Panola County, 53^3 were registered to vote. Of 7250 voting age Negroes, 1 was registered to vote. The higher court, however, saw things differently. Citing the case "United States v. Harpole," the Court said that it was the respon sibility of the defense to show that the Negroes had voluntarily ab stained from voting. Additionally, It accepted the following evidence; 1. A Negro Voters League had been formed between 1955 and i960 and had attempted to register 10 Negroes. All applicants wefe delayed and/or discouraged by the appellee. None of the applicants were given the results of their test. 2. White applicants continued to register without such distractions. 3. Many of the white applicants were not qualified to be registered, according to Mississippi law. •4. Some Negroes were intimidated by people not directly connected with Duke's office against trying to register. The conclusion, then, was that the arousal of Interest in voting by the Negro community had been met with polite, but effective, discour agement. Meanwhile, white people continued to register merely by "signing the book." It was not in the power of the Circuit Court to comment upon the constitutionality of the voting requirements. However, it was able to draw the following conclusions: - "The only effective relief(for the discrimination in registration) here is by applying the principle of freezing the registration standards that were in effect when the majority of the white citi zens were registered. We conclude that the principle should be applied in this case without further delay." ",;.the. trial court erred in not finding a pattern and practice of discrimination. We also find that the trial court erred in not issuing an injunction to guarantee that the effects of the discrim ination should be eliminated and a repitition for the future be prohibited." 32 Therefore the : ..Court called for a special program of registration ' 'in Panola County, to last one year, featuring the following: 1. Thatthe applicant bo or will be 21 years or older prior to the next election. 2. That the applicant is entitled to apply for registration without regard to whether he has paid the poll tax, 3.. That the applicant be afforded the opportunity to apply and complete the application form whether the registrar himself or the deputy regis trar is present. 4. That applicants not be required to apply one at a time but persons presenting themselves to apply for registration shall be permitted to complete the applications simultaneously to the extent that the physical facilities of the registration office reasonably permit. 5. That applicants be advised at the time they apply, If a registrar or deputy is present, as to whether they are accepted or rejected and, if they are accepted, that they are registered at such time. Only the following qualifications should be considered: 1. He Is a citizen and is or will be 21 years old or older at the time of the next election. 2. He has resided in the state two years and in the election district in which he intends to vote one year. 3. He embraces the duties and obligations of citizenship as demonstrat ed by his willingness to .take and sign the oath to bear allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the State of Mississippi. 4. He is not disqualified by reason of a conviction of a disqualifying crime, insanity, or idiocy. 5. He is able to demonstrate a reasonable ability to read and write by completion of questions 1 through 18 of the application form with or without assistance by defendant Duke or his agents, as" needed. Therefore, according to the higher Court: "The judgment of the trial court is REVERSED and the case is REKAND- "ED'7for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. "Since the appellant was entitled to the injunction following the conclusion of the trial, we conclude that no further delay should be occasioned and therefore direct that the -mmvi-a^o TPRHO £oi-Wiw_.t>*>.M County officials have complied with the order. Tillman McKinley and Gwenn Gillon, COFO workers,have been organizing a registration campaign in which 237 voters were registered at the Batesville court house in the first week. Since Panola county has two courthouses, the other at Sardls, when an organized registration is organized at both places, an even greater ntuirwer of Negroes-should be. able, to register. This is the strongest reoent do«if3ian in a Mi ssi ssippi voter r^fjintvatinu oa.sp . COFO PROGRAM fainter 1964 - Spring 1965) The Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) is extending its Mississippi Summer Project into a year round project. Both volunteers and paid ateff t&3& bo uccd to implement the prcgrans, -.The follos&Ef? pro grams are planned as part of the project: 1# Freedom Democratic Party and voter registration. Suits filed by the Justice Department""have "opened up several counties'"in the state to the possibility of registering large numbers of Negroes. Emphasis will be placed on these areas', but, voter registration will continue to form the basis for much of the community organization throughout the state. The Freedom Democratic Party experience of the summer has provided a basis for extensive voter educations This work will be carried on by local voter groups in different parts of the state. The Freedom Democratic Party'' operations may be worked out of offices distinct from the COPO offices, but there will be close connections in both staff and planning between the offices. 2. Freedom Schools. The Freedom Schools will be continued in all areas where possible, but their scope will be somettfhat limited as the majority of students will be in regular school full time. Freedom schools will concentrate on late afternoon and evening courses. Content will be Negro history, political education, modern languages—all not available in the regular schools—as well as remedial math and reading and writing. In some areas freedom schools will serve to intensify regular studies. In some areas freedom schools may serve in place of regular schools in the event of trouble in the regular school system, 3. Pre-school education. Plans are"underway for pre-school day care centers' in several"*areas of the state. This program will attempt to pro vide nursery school enrichment programs to better prepare children for school. The program will provide working mothers with a place to leave their children under supervision during the day, h» White Cimmunity Project. Contacts in"the upper middle class and power structure"will "be continued, but these will be on a"limited basis. Emphasis will be placed on trying to organize in the lowest classes,* attempting to bridge the gap between the white and Negro communities. 5>. Federal Programs. The project will attempt to implement various federal programs that "are available for the Mississippi rural poor. Emphasis is being placed on programs for farmers, cooperatives—both housing and consumer, public health programs, and implementing the anti- poverty bill, 6. Community Centers. During the summer community center programs began in many areas of the state. Lack of buildings and trained staff delayed implementation of a permanent program. During the year the National Council of Churches will take on increased responsibility for some of th^community centers. Emphasis in program will be on day care, citizenship, l±br*~v, literacy, health program, and speci.ald.zed. programs arising out of skills of a particular applicant. 7. Literacy Program. The state-wide literacy program will be continued, -Several different systems (each one?)each one, classes, self-help, etc.) are being used. 8. Medical Programs. The Medical Committee on Human Rights, a cooperating •group, will expand its work. The programs will be partly connected with the freedom schools and the community centers. The actual'content of the_ programs will depend, on local need and available personnel, but the minimum desired program will inclade public health, dietary guidance, first aid, pre-natal care, and instruction in available federal, state, and local aid. " \ 9» legal Programs. Legal assistance under the Lawyer's Constitutional Defense Committee and the Lawyer's Guild will be continued. Lawyers will be permanently stationed in the state and will work with visiting lawyers here on a short term basis. 10. Audio-visual Program. A variety of movies and slides will be shown in different parts of the state, 11. Food & Clothing Distribu-feon. Food and clothing is being distributed to people who have suffered! harassment for movement activities or who are economically destitute for othejr reasons. The food and clothing is collected in other parts of the country and sent here. This distribution is done in cooperation with other interested agencies, \ \ 12. Mississippi Stucteni^Moa (High School Student Organization). Chapters of this state-wide movement organization' are established in sany ©recs. Other chapters will be added* The organization serves as a focus for ail civil rights-connected activities on the high school level, 13• libraries. Usually libraries will be a part of a community center program. In some areas there may be buildings only large enough to house a library, In other places mobile libraries may be used. The" libraries are simple and are only sketchily catalogued. Emphasis is placed on training local people to run the libraries. Mississippi Project^QQ^ •+- Jwedcx, SJuxL O (mmuncki (enter MISSISSIPPI PROJECT 196h-1965 PROJECT DIRECTCR MAILING ADDRESS PHONE Aberdeen Joe Maurer Box 133 369 9076 Batesville Route 2 Box 20 563 9731 Belzoni Willie Shaw 268 Wellington 110*5 Biloxi Dick Flowers 732 Main Street 1*36 965U Canton George Raymond 830 Lutz 859 99kh Carthage c/o Williams Store 6081 Route 2, Carthage Clarksdale Lafayette Surney h29 Yazoo Ave. 62U 9167 Cleveland Lois Rogers 6U4 Church St. 81i3 5158 Columbus Don White 1212 17 St. N 328 9719 Greenville Muriel Tillinghau3t 901* Nelson 335 2173 Greenwood Mary Lane 708 Ave, N h$3 1282 Gulfport Henry Bailey 2905 Harrison St. 863 9550 Hattiesburg Sandy Leigh 507 Mobile St, 58h 9993 Holly Springs Cleveland Sellers 100 Rust Ave, 1257 Indianola John Harris Box 30 1112 Itta Bena Willie McGhee 153 Love Street 25U 7811 Jackson 853* Short Street 352 9605 Laurel Jeff Smith 518 E. First St. 1+28 7057 McComb Jesse Harris 702 Wall Street 68k 9U1U Meridian Preston Ponder 25051 Fifth St. U82 6013 Mound Bayou John Bradford p0Co Box kh3 57-M Moss Point Charles Mansor 609 Bowen U75 9069 Natchez Chico Neblett 611 S. Wall St. hhZ 1298 Philadelphia James Collier c/o Meridian COFO 656 2_r5l Pascagoula c/o Biloxi Ruleville John Harris Box 275 756 9980 Shaw Mary Sue Gellatly Box 5U7 Starkville Ronald Bridgeforth 10 Henderson St. Tchula Hollis Watkins Route 2 Box 56A 5989 Tupelo Isaac Coleman 1132 Hilda Drive 8U2 9963 Valley View Andrew Green Route 1 859 ii36l Vicksburg Dennis Brown 1016 Hossley 636 5967