"It (.'rov"keii goes-tletrv~it :vies"'
Volume 27 -Number 102 Wayne State University Thursday, April 10, 19G9
NEW BETHEL INCIDENT SPARKS SOLIDARITY BLACK UNITED FRONT FORMS IN DETROIT Unprecedented Coalition of Black Groups Forms for the Defense ccnd Control of the Black Comrreunity
Demonstrating an unpre- complete disregard of the constitutional ALL AFRICAN PEOPLE'S UNION FREDEKICK DOUGLAS GUN CLUB cedented solidarity within the rights of Blank citizens and the subse- ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STUDENTS, BLACK CLUB FOR UNITY Black community, representa quent castigation of Recorder's Court Wayne State University MOORS tives of more than forty (40) Judge George Crackett by the mass me- ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIAL EASTSIDE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT Detroit organizations j o i n e d dia and the police department. He its a WORKERS DETROIT (ESVH)) with a number of private citi- duly elected representative of the peo- ART CENTRE DEVELOPMENT GHETTO SPEAKS-Newspaper zens to announce a concerted ple, who acted in accordance with the INTERNATIONAL AFRO-AIViERICAN LEAGUE OF REVOLUTIONARY drive against police oppression Constitution and sought to protect the MUSEUM BLACK WORKERS on Tuesday, April 1, 1969. rights of the people." BEREA METHODIST CHURCH BLACK TEACHERS WORKSHOP The group, which has identified it- "We don't intend to stand by and NEW CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH NECO self as the BLACK UNITED FRONT allow continual disregard of citizen's BLACK PANTHER PARTY NORTH WOODWARD INTERFAITH (BUF) symbolizes the solidified concern rights as was demonstrated in the CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY CONCEPT EAST THEATER against police action at New Bethel inexcusable firing upon women and CONTROL OF SCHOOLS WOLVERINE STUDENT LAWYERS Baptist Church on Saturday night, children in the New Bethel Baptist L.E.S.C.R.O. ASSOCIATION March 29, 1969. Church and the willful destruction of IFCO URBAN DESIGN, INC. DAN ALDRIDGE, widely known ac- property for which Black people have GUARDIANS-BLACK POLICE WEST CENTRAL ORGANIZATION twist, member of the All-African Peo- given their life blood to attain." OFFERS FOR EQUAL JUSTICE (W.C.O.) ple's Union and of the National Staff "This solidarity of Black citizens DENMARK VESEY SOCIETY P.E.P. of SNCC, was named Acting Chairman stems from the indignation art the con- Office of Congressman Charles C. - Black Caucus of MCHRD by acclamation as more than 200 per- tinued demonstration of racism not on- Diggs EASTSIDE TENANTS UNION sons gathered at the Architects Build- ly on the part of members of the palrce OUTCRY UNITED BLACK APPEAL ing, Cass at Brainard, Tuesday night. department but on the part of the Prose- AFRO CLUB-Central High School BLACK STUDENT ASSN "We are not involving ourselves now cutor in his attempt to usurp the au- BLACK ~i[TDF~'1TT VOICE NORTHEASTERN HIGH SCHOOL in a discussion ~abaut who fired the first thority of Judge Crockett." ASHANTI CORPORATION BLACK LHiERATORS OF KING shot Saturday night," Aldridge said. THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS GIV- SOUTH E:yla HIGH SCHOOL "We are concerned with the inex- ING NOTICE THAT IT CANNOT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INC. STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMES cusable conduct of a police force who STAND BY AND TOLERATE THIS indi~scrimiinaely fired into ~a church and CONTINUED DISREGARD OF' ITS BROTHERS & SISTERS UNITED DEL RIO upon defenseless women and children ." RIGHTS. BLACK CONSCIENCE LIBRARY STATE REP. JACKIE VAUGHN "We are also concerned about the BLACK UNITED FRONT - Members: SPAIN JUNIOR HIGH AFRO CLUB BLACKS AGAINST RACISM--
Page Two TAE SdUTIY END 'Pl~hrsday, April 10, 196 THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE BLACK UNITED FRONT (BUF)
Dan Aldridge (seated second from the left) delivers the statement of the Black United Front (BUN') at a recent press conference. GERALD SIMMONS/ULOZI Photographics
By DAN ALDRIDGE Recorder's Court Judge George Crockett. to respect Black women and Slack children, (3) Acting Co-(~?~~dinator Black United Front The members ~of the front range in ideological he failure of police to respect our consti~tubianall The Black vfTnited Front (BUF) is com- perspective fromrRevolutionary Pan Africanist, ,to rights i. e, freedom of assembly, (4) the unanimous posed of over sixty (60) Detroit Organiza- Marxist-Leninist to Black Nationalist, to moderate. racist position taken by Governor William Milliken tions, representing t h e broadest possible The purpose of BUF is to form a liason so Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, Police Commissioner cross-section of the Black community. BUF that we can come together when emergency Johannas Spreen and the news media, particularly does not represent or project the (ideologi- situations arise in the Black Community. The the Detroit News, and (5) the failure of police toi cal position) or ideology of any particular objective of any united front is to unite all respect Black people's right to seek a solution tv. political tendency within the Black com- elements of the population, who can be united, our oppression unmolested. munity, but symbolizes our solidified con- against a common enemy for a specific struggle. THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS GIVING cern against the police action at New Bethel The Black United Front was organized to speci- NOTICE THAT IT CANNOT STAND BY Baptist Chul'ch on Saturday night, March fically dea!1 with (1) the failure of police to respect AND TOLERATE THE CONTINUED DIS- 29, 1969, and the subsequent castigation of our religious institutions, (2) the failure of police REGARD OF ITS RIGHTS.
STATEII'iE\TT OF .l (1DGIE (~EU1~(>~E C. CRUC KETT By JUDGE GEORGE C. CROCKETT have ignored my judicial and con- sider an application action, or motion and R e v e r e n d C.L. Franklin, the The distortions of fact and stitutional responsibilities and follow- for habeas corpus, is guilty of malfea- Church's pastor, who came to my home the confusion over this Court's ed the often accepted practices of sance fn office." and awakened me . As presiding judge action in the recent events at condoning long police detentions, of Moreover, "any justice of the Su- of this Court for the day, I went im- New Bethel Church compel me ignoring prisoners' rights to counsel preme Court and any judge of a Circuit mediately to the police station. I re- to make certain facts clear. I and of delaying the hearing on writs Court may issue a writ of habeas cor- quested a list of the prisoners and was am personally deeply affl'onted of habeas corpus, possibly the adverse pus . . . upon his own motion whenever told-about six hours after they were by reports a n d stories which publicity about Judge Crockett may he learns that any person within his taken into custody-that police didn't have clearly a n d deliberately have been averted . But in doing so, jurisdiction is illegally restrained of his know whom they were holding. twisted the truth and the law justice would have been denied. liberty." By statute, Circuit Court, as I then talked with Commissioner in this matter. I deplore the senseless shooting of used in this rule, includes Recorder's Spreen who agreed to furnish a list. He More serious than any harm to me the policemen . I also deplore the armed Court. also agreed to set up a courtroom on personally is the profound damage be- assault on a church, particularly a Justice last Sunday demanded a the first floor of the police station. I ing done to this Court and to our entire church occupied by men, women and prompt judicial examination and pro- requested that the Prosecutor be call- community by those who would use this children, whom we ,must presume to be cessing of the persons arrested. If ed, and Assisatnt Prosecutor Jay Nolan tragic affair to intensify community innocent until and unless evidence to there was any sound legal basis for arrived. The press was present. Mr. No- hostilities which are .already so deep and the contrary is presented. I deplore too, their detention, they were detained; lan, the police and I agreed on the pro- divisive. that so many innocent people were otherwise they were entitled to be re- cessing of the prisoners. They were to The actions taken by me in my rounded up by the police, incarcerated leased and they were released upon be brought immediately outside the tem- capacity as presiding judge, following for many hours in violation of their reasonable bond. porary courtroom in groups of 10, be- the New Bethel Church shootings and rights as citizens, and than some offi- Let us review the sequence of events ginning with women. But they appeared mass arrests, were legal, proper and cials who are sworn to enforce equal following the shooting of the officers before me individually and each was in- moral. Indeed, it is precisely because justice have complained because I have and the storming of the church by poI- terviewed separately by me in open I followed the law, equally and with- done so. lice, which occurred some time before court. out partiality, that questions and accu- Michigan law requires-does not sug- midnight Saturday. The cases of 3'd arrestees were then sations are being raised. If I were to gest, but requires-that "any judge who At 5 A.iV1. I was called-not by the heard and determined as follows:' have reacted otherwise, if I were to willfully and corruptly refuses to con- police but by Representative Dei Rzo (Continued on Page 3)
Thursday, April 10, 1969 THE 50UTIi END Yale Three Statement By Judge Crockett
"I have ,condemned the Prosecutor's action as not _only contemptuous, but also as having racial over- tones. " - ,fudge Crockett -Photo by GERALD SIMMONS
(Continued from Page 2) vast majority of those released, ap- apprehended, tried and brought to jus- mittedly not the slightest evidence of I S betroit residents were re- proximately 130 persons, were re- tice. But I will not lend my office to their involvement in any crime? Can leased on $100 personal bond to leased with the Prosecutor's concur- practices which subvert legal processes anyone explain in other than racist reappear at noon. rence. Despite this fact, the press has and deny justice to same because they terms the shooting by police into a 1 man (the church janitor) was closed and surrounded church'.' discharged with consent of the several times referred to my actions are poor or black. in a white Prosecutor. in terms of "un~yarranted leniency." I understand, of course, why the hue If the killing had occurred 1 man from Ohio was released There was no unwarranted leniency. and cry arose. An angry Prosecutor, neighborhood, I believe the sequence of on $100 personal bond and order- By noon, the number of prisoners lacking police evidence or testimony events would have been far different. ed to reappear at noon. whose disposition was under question which might produce a probable sus- Because a terrible crime was committed, 22 persons from out-of-town not follow that other wrongs were remanded to custody until had been reduced sharp)vy. Out of ap- pect, and resentful that ordinary and un- i~t does be noon. proximately 42 persons arrested, only democratic police practices were chal- permitted or condoned. Indeed, consti- 12 remained to be processed. Two of lenged, chase to diverq public attention tutional safeguards are needed even All persons released on personal these prisoners I ordered held without more urgently .in times of tension than band appeared at noon as directed. to Judge Crockett. And some of the bond because there was evidence to do media, particularly the Detroit News, in ordinary times. Further hearings were terminahed by so. Another I released on $1,000 band The best guarantee to avert the kind Wayne County picked up that lead and began their the entrance of the after his attorney said he would vouch of soci~ad disaster that occurred in De- Prosecutor who, in the presence of the campaign to help the police and the far hire. Prosecutor's office continue their efforts troit in 1967 is prompt judicial action Court, issued verbal orders to the police The other 9 prisoners were those with strict observance of constitutional countermanding a court order. The to dominate and control the courts and who, police said, had positive nitrate legal processes. The judiciary cannot al- rights. Prosecutor, in the presence of the Court, tests. On this question, I hold that I intend to continue to maintain prevented the police from prod-uci~ng law its independence to be threatened such tests are unconstitutional when in this fashion . law and order in my court by dispen- any further arrestees for the hearng. taken without the presence of coun- sing justice equally and fairly, by pro- I have condemned the Prosecutor's sel or at least upon advice to the pris- Finally, and regretfully, let me re- tecting each individual's rights, and action as not only contemptuous, but oner that he is entitled to counsel at peat that this whole case does have most importantly, by upholding the in- also as having racial overtones . this critical step in his interrogation. racial overtones. dependence of the judiciary and the Subsequently, in a leter to presiding For me to have held those nine men, Can any of you imagine the Detroit dignity of this court. Judge Robert E. Demascio dated April without objective evidence and under Police invading an all-white church and If the real dangers to our commun- 1, I declined to press the formal con- those circumstances, would have been rounding up everyone in sight ~to be ity are to be uprooted, let the news tempt charge. To pursue the contempt improper. The police had many hours bussed to a wholesale lockup in a police media and all other forces of truth and proceeding, I felt, would aggravate the to identify those nine men. They garage? Can any of you imagine a justice concentrate an the undelying already tense community confrontation. should know who they are. If those church group from, let us say, Rasedale causes of crime and social disorder as Moreover, the Prosecutor himself, af- men committed a crime, the police Park, being held incommunicadA for described by the Kerner Commission ter the contempt incident, and after the must gather evidence to make a case seven hours, without being allowed to and as identified by virtually every re- Court reconvened at noon, himself re- that will hold up in court. They still telephone relatives and without their sponsible commentator in America. The leased or requested the release of same can do so if their investigation war- constitutional rights to counsel? Can causes are steeped in racism . . . racism 130 arrestees. rants it. any of you justify the jailing of 32 wo- in our courts, in our jails, in our streets It is essential to emphasize that the I am mast anxious that criminals be men all night long when there was ad- and in our hearts.
Page Foar TH)i SUU`T`l1 )gND `thtarsday, April lit, 1969
SHOVFD INTO CHUl3CH BI' POLICE She Was Eyewitness To Night Of Horror
"Even my mother would not believe what of horror. A . '`No, I heard no shots until aite?~ 1 was push- I told her had happened." She was waiting in front of the Church with a ed into the church by the police .'' Sa spoke a well known black woman who was friend who's husband was attending the meeting. After this, she told of the fright v,~hich gripped innocently' involved in the police action at I`Tew Suddenly, shortly after 11 p. m., she said police her after slue crawled under the pews of the church . Bethel Church Saturday night. She was arrested seemed to come from nowhere . She told of her arrest, the refusal of the police and subjected to continued harassment by police. "It was just as the meeting wcrs being dis- to hear her explanation and later being crowded Her identity is not being revealed at this time, missed and people were coming out of the into the cell with a number of other women and but she will testify as to what happened at any time church, when from the street, a phalanx of children . several under five, subjected to abusive police rushed forward, pushing me and my remarks from the police. before any authorized investigative body seeking friend into those people coming out of the the faots in the action. - church . "It was unbelievable, the horror of it. Judge A highly respected wife, mother and work- 1 found myself crawling under the pews in Ueorge Crockett ,was the only ray of decency ing woman, employed as secretary to a top the church when the shooting began." throughout the entire proceedings . executive in ane of the nation's leading indus- R. "While you were in front of the church Yes, I was an eyewitness. I saw eve;-ything, and tries, she has told of what turned into a night did ,you hear any shots?" I am willing to tell what happened."
ness; it came down to us from the Magna Carta Statement L>Legarding through the common law; and it is embedded in the Constitution of this nation. Due process Judge Crockett means that an accused is entitled to be faced by his accusers and to have the charges made BAR against him tried in an appropriate tribunal and Associ~xtions not in the marketplace, where rumor, hearsay, Last Sunday morning, following the passion and mass emotion so easily hold sway. tragic events at the New Bethel Faptist Under Michigan law, there is ar. appropriate Church, Judge George W. Crockett, Jr., in ribunal in which charges of misconduct :against any the performance of his judicial duties, made ;edge tnay be tried, and of course his judicial de- determinations and took actions that have c"isions may be reviewed in an appellate court. subjected him to both commendation and Meanwhile, he is presumed to have acted in good criticism . faith and in accordance with the law and his obli= The basis of his actions, he says, was to fulfill gations as a judge, and hi decision is entitled to be his constitutional obligations as a Judge to release respected . Pending any proceeding to test the con- individuals too long detained by the police, without dt.tct of Judge Crockett or his interpretation of the counsel and in ignorance of their rights. The police, law, we earnestly urge that in the interest of fair- on the other hand, contend that they were entitled ness and decency and due process of law, the citi- to detain some of the individuals pending the com- tens of this community renew their faith in the pletion of normal police procedures. This conflict judicial process by refraining from conduct that has raised serious legal and factual issues. would interfere with the orderly administration of Several years ago, a distinguished Pennsylvania justice. Said judge made a simple but profound statement. WILLIAM T. GOSSETT he: "In the whole history of law and order, the President longest ,v, iv~rward was- taken by primitive men ~inerican liar association when, as if by common consent, the tribe sat down DAVIS in a circle and allowed one man to speak at a time . GILBERT H. This black sister, who had her foot broken when An accused who is shouted down has no rights President Bar of Michigan a police deliberately stomped on her foot after her whatsoever." State arrest, was one of the many black women, several In lhis country, we long ago developed a MYRUN H. WAHLS pregnant, and children subjected to all forms of term to describe the ancient custom of allow- President humiliation at 1300 Beaubien Sunday morning . ing one person to speak at a time, of allowing Wolverine Bar Association Many feel that even further abuses would have the accused to speak without being shouted ARNULD W.LUNGERSHAUSEN been inflicted if Judge Crockett had not intervened. down. We call it "due process of law." Due President -Photo by GERALD SIMMONS pr~x"css represents procedural decency and fair- Detroit Bar Association
STATEIVIENT B~` REV. FRANKLIN results We have called this press wounding of another" the shooting up the floor and get under the benches biased and slanted one which the white community" and the conference, b e c a u s e we feel of this church in the heart of the black out of the line of fire, the shooting in giving community (on Dotroit's west side in into the organ and pulpit, the pastor's black community a distorted and mis- along with other leaders of the the district where the 1967 riot beganl, chair, the shooting into the pastor's le~ading view of bhe incident which can black community that an inci- the wounding of four black attendants office, breaking into the church office only lead to the ever widening gap be- dent occured here outside and of the affair inside the church on Satur- and confiscating church records and tween blacks and whites and add to the inside of this church on this day night, the flagrant shooting info the church money and some of those ar- many brutal experiences that the black night, Apri129 of crowd which included approximately rested were made to walk bare of foot community has suffered in the past. past Saturday further believe that Judge grave significance, which could 150 persons: men: evomen and very hi 15 degree weather. We small children. Ladies and gentlemen, we the black Crockett acted right morally and ju- result in limitable consequences most of the peo- unless we view and deal with The over reaction on the part of community do not think that this kind dicially in releasing the police in carrying out the arrests of police activity mak esfor good police- ple involved in the arrests because the this incident objectively, realis- women and the children are not likely tically, factually and with great of approximately 140 persons who ob- community communications in the black viously could not have all been guilty, community or any community . We sub- to have participated because they were understanding. with Regretfully and unfortunately, this the abusive handling of some of the mit that the news media has not given on the floor under the benches who incident to which I refer, involved the men and women who had lost their the public a true picture of what happen- most of the men and the others slaying of ane white police officer, the shoes in their scrambling to fall on ed here last Saturday night, but rather a were in the basement.
Page Five Thursday, April 10, 1969 THE SOUfiH 1E;ND Black Police Officers Speak Out Statement by the ~GIIARDI~1Vt5'-- .Blac1~ Police Ufficers for E'qual Justice
White policemen. windshields, etc.," which openly ad- On April 3, 1969, the Guar- Since the incident at New Bethel phasis be placed on i h occurred Let it be understood and retained mits that their dogmatic actions may Organization, "Black Po- Baptist Church, wh c dian Saturday evening, March 30, 1969, that this very tight group which has very possibly cause a crisis, U. Y. O. A. lice Officers for Equal Justice," the City of Detroit stands witness to su successfully managed to gain great If only possible, the concerned stood magnificently tall and hearing the mayor of this city condone influential power over this city's should be forced by authorities to p r o u d ~s we led the "Black the beastly actions that the white po- politicians and the ?,'nited Front" in a victorious lice officers of his police department produce the results of a secret sur- DPOA) - "does not and has taken which reportedly shows tx-iumphant rally and march in administered on helpless women and (The vey children inside the church that Satur- never represented or accepted black that 46~Jo of the white cops are re- support of the Honorable Judge officers in its ranks as first class siding outside the City of Detroit. day evening and their mercenary members." George C. Crockett of Recor- mutilation of the church itself. der's Court. After remarking and condoning As Guardians we also made it "46/0 of fhe white cops are re- such tactics, he dares on April 3rd administraton and the police depart- known publicly that black officers will siding outside the City of Detroit." address the news media and use the ment dues nut and has never repre- names of Brother Martin Luther sented or accepted the black police King, Jr. and Jesus Christ to tell officers in its ranks as first class mem- no important in- "Black officers will no longer black people to be calm and give bers. D. P. O. A. has brain - wash- 'These men have stakes within the city's close their eyes and ears to abu- way to the Easter meaning. ed the white residents of this city into terests or n g sive use of the law being applied believing that its first concern is the boundaries, t`herefare, n o u ri s h i to the black community or any other Need we remind the mayor that Detroit We ask, `'how can their disinterest for Detroit and name- citizen." his problem does not lie with the safety of . possibly hold true with the de ly the inner-city. "S o u t h e r n Christian Leadership this n d u t This organization has never once Council." And if need be, also remind plorable, unprofessional c o c which these men have demonstrated enacted programs or made recom- no longer close their eyes and ears to him of certain words of Dr. King's, city in an effort so clearly through their disrespect for mendatigns to the to abusive use of bhe law being applied which were and we quote, "There wi!11 constitutional justice? When t h e improve race relations, reduce racial to the black community or any other come a time when nation wi'11 rise tensan or rid oppression to minari- citizen who is confronted by the law against nation." t'ies. in the City of Detroit. Nevertheless, bhe Mayor of Detroit (The DPOA) "promotes and en- Let it be recorded and brought does not stand unsupported. We must dorses persons and policies such as Afl blacks are seeking a so- to the attention of all members and not fail to recall the dubious a~btitude George Walface for President and displayed by the governor of the lotion to block oppression and we all other black police officers, to the stoner rifles, stop and frisk laws, as should be : allowed to seek thnt executive body of city hall and state when confronted with the prob- methods of riot control (ideal per- solution unmolested. other law agencies throughout this lem of deciding whether or not justice sons and materials to make up a was served . police state)." However, it appears that in so long So obvious are the issues of in- as D. P. O. A . ascertains the strength "Guardians-organized to com- just ce. members of D . P. U. A. promote end of persuasion (which is provided by bat injustice and racist police tac- (1) Failure of police to respect our endorse persons and policies such as nut only policemen but public sup- tics." religious institutions. t7e<~rge~ Wallace f page Six THB S01JT)EI BND Thursday, April 10, 1969 Demonstrations In Support of Judge Crockett A series of demonstrations involving a quarters were joined shortly after they arrived by front of Recorder's Court as well as police head- total of about 3,000 persons, were launched dozens of passers-by. The marchers included Con- quarters, demonstrators were prohibited from in support of Recorder's Court Judge gressman John Conyers, militant organizer Frank marching in front of the court building in mid- George C . Crockett last Thursday in down- Ditto, several prominent black clergymen, students morning by an injunction issued by Recorder's town Detroit. and professional people. Court Judges then on duty, including Crockett. Members of at least 50 organizations joined (It is interesting to note that when Crockett When the injunction was issued, Dan Aldridge hundreds of individuals to voice indignation at the first sought election to the Recorder's Court led the pickets from Recorder's Court to the Traffic totally unjustified castigation of Crockett by the bench, he was bitterly opposed by factions with Court building several blocks away. Here they were in tae first congressional district, which Conyers joined by about local news media politicians. represents.) 1,000 more persons who had gather- ed on the campus of Wayne State University in Though there have been larger demonstra- The first group of protesters was primarily protest of the war in Vietnam and to commemorate tions for other causes, the people who marched black, with only a handful of whites joining in. the first anniversary of the assassination of Martin in support of Judge Crockett displayed a black Later in the morning, the Ad Hoc Action Luther King. unity unprecedented in Detroit in recent years. Group, a predominantly white organization That group, primarily high school students, had headed by Sheila Murphy, picketed in front of The march from Kennedy Square to Recorder's marched from the WSU campus to downtown De- police headquarters in support of Crockett and Court began at 7 a. m. and was led by a cantingentt troit upon learning that the pro-Crockett demon- in protest of police actions at New Bethel . simations were going on. They were joined by representatives of People By 2 p. rn., all of the demonstrators had dispersed Against Racism, another white group, noted that without incident. Crockett had upheld the constitution and his oath of office in making decisions which caused the local The only anti-Crockett demonstration which power structure ito b-itterly oppose him. took place that morning had been sponsored by the Detroit Police Officers Association and in '`He should be commended by us all and not volved 150-300 off-duty Detroit police. That subjected to 'the racist critique of persons who really group had been led by Carl Parsell, president know that he upheld the law violated by the police of the DPOA. They had dispersed when the in- and by William Cahalan," the group declared: junction was issued by the Recorder's Court Though earlier picketing had taken place in Judges. llemonstratian of Support to Judge Crockett . -Photo by SIMMONS c1= black law enforcement officers from the Detroit police department and the Wayne County Sherifif's departme~it . By 8:30 a. m., the block containing Recorder's Court and Detroit Police headquarters was com- pletei3- surrounded by a line of pickets. Signs pro- claming "Crockett for Mayor," "Black Cops Sup- port Crockett," and "Crocket-Soul Brother No. 1" were among the dozens displayed. The first group of 500 demonstrators had been organized by the newly - formed Black United Front, a coalition of black people with representation of all political yews and socio- Y~conomic levels. ~evolutianary activist Dan Aldr dge was elected :o ~1~air the ad-hoc organization, formed for the pur- po~e of supporting Crockett and opposing tire police racism and oppressivetactics which resulted izt the recent violenit attack o~n 150 persons attending a public meeting at New Bethel Baptist church. A 7:3U a. m. rally of support for Judge Crockett in Kennedy Square. The first group of demonstrators a~t police head- -Photo by SIMMONS WHERE THE PRESIDENT OF THE DETROIT POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION STANDS OVERT RACIST `If Crockett is right we should change the law. If Crockett is wrong, we should change Crockett.' -Carl Parsell Thursday, April 10, 1969 THE SOUTH END Page Seven An Analysis of Anti-Crockett Forces conservative Reuther The entire power structure any conception of the true turn of lice Officers Assocation, the Detroit In 1948, the Detroit, immediately wrote Detectives Association and a num- moved to "clean house" and rid the of the S t a t e of Michigan events in and passed a pair of resolutions cen- ber of other bastions of right-wing UAW of its "pink" elements . Among Recor pounced heavily upon suring the judge for his actions. political ideology. those who were swept out of the der's Court J u d g e George union was an attorney named Sugar Crockett last week as the con- Not to be outdone, Governor 'I`he vast majority of anti-Crockett who had been a close friend and troversy manufactured a n d _ William Milliken called for an "in- sentiment comes from two areas, the associate of Crockett . right wing spread by Detroit's daily papers vestigation" of Crockett's decisions rabidly anti-communist State Judicial Tenure Com- and the out-and-out racists. These Though not threatened himself, grew to include the state capital by the mission. forces are backed primarily by ~a-con- Crockett followed Sugar out of the and the legislators and gover- servative white middle class which union and the two set ttp the nor who preside there. That commission, set up during has been duped into believing that state's first inter-racial law firm. the 1963 State Constitutional Con- Crockett represents some sow of ne- Reuther has never forgiven Crock- began with the The mass hysteria vention, has the power to recommend bulous threat to their collective se- ett and vice-versa. The two have which, upon learning Detroit News, to the State Supreme Court that a curity. not spoken a word to each other in Crockett h a d moved that Judge judge be suspended, censured, retired 20 years. swiftly t.a uphold the constitutional ar removed from office. The anti-Crockett stance of the rights of some 140 persons swept up News is traceable to the right-wing Despite the powerful opposition of in a police dragnet operation foTlow- The grounds upon which the com- elements for which t h e paper the UAW, the Detroit News and a police officer, de- irg the death of mission can recommend such actions, fronts . These forces oppose Crock- myriad local politicians and would-be Crockett's actions as a display cried however, are strictly defined by law ett because of his associations with politicians, Crockett has ememged as `'unwarranted leniency." of ("intemperance," commission of a known or suspected communists one of the most respected and strong- felony while in office, etc.) and none during the McCarthy era. ly supported Black men in the slbate. The News, joined shortly by the of the grounds listed seem to apply Detroit Free Press, began a cam- to Crockett. It was at this time that Crockett If up for re - election tomorrow, paign to paint Crockett as a judge proved his knowledge of the U. S. Crockett would regain his court seat part of the daily who lacked knowledge of the law That move on the Constitution as he defended persons by a greater margin than ever before. was the papers which be- and who went busily about setting papers-it a c c u s e d of communist activities . gan bhe talk of a Judicia'1 Tenure dope fiends loose on the Though never a communist himself, The Michigan power structure, in killers and viewed by ob- Commission probe-is Crockett believed that if the govern- a move to squash black judicial inde- good citizens of Detroit. a move to immediately servers not ~as ment were allowed to persecute per- pendence and equal application of the remove Crockett from office - they sons for hhe r political ideologies, it U. S. Constitution has thus not only The daily papers, reflecting the can see there are no grounds for that would not be long before hey were failed miserably, but has, in fact, attitudes and purposes of the powers initiate a voters' -but to abtempt to persecuted because of their skin color. caused a greater strength to ,develop an whose b e h a l f they act, set movement or, at the very least, recall among 'those who fight for freedrnn about a blatantly racist campaign to insure Crockett's defeat the next It was at this time also that events in the courtrooms, in the auto plants, remove Judge Crockett from office. time 'he is up for re-election. occurred which resulted in 'his later im the state legislature, in the streets, else. Under the prodding of th'e daily The papers were joined in their being opposed by another segment and everywhere papeas, ~a group of backwoods legis- denunciations of the noted consti- of the local establishment-the UAW All power to the people: lators in Lansing, apparently lacking tutional lawyer by the Detroit Po- and Walter, Reuther. SUPPORT THE BLACK UNITED FRONT of the Black community. This protec- the right of free assembly, which is Once again, the lap dogs the constitution, yet struc- tion was not given to the church, guaranteed by Councilman the white, racist, power New Bethel Baptist, in spite of a police are always seen surrounding Former ture have decided to violate the police stake out in the community Black meeting places, harassing constitutional rights of black before the shooting incident. Black assemblies, and putting their c~nd citizens, by their continual en- noses to the ground, like dogs try- (2) There was an invasion by in New Detroit gagements in acts of police bru- ing to sniff out a hunting trail the police into a black church, which the Black community. tality, a n d their general un- pointed out the failure of the De- Committee member heralded harassment of this troit police to respect Black reli- BLACKS AGAINST RACISM same community. It has there- gious institutions . Therefore, a simi- So, the Black United Front is invit- ClteS for any larity can 6e drawn between the ing all Black moderates and militants, to fore become necessary bombing of Black churches in the Crockett a5 Hero self - respecting black citizen, join the long climb, toward an end to South ,and the riddling with bullets the who wishes to gain power in his of this Black church in the North. white racism, and a beginning to or her community, and who black control of the black community. (3) There was a failure of the And it should be noted that the $lack wishes to maintain his or her police to respect Black women and that it norm 31, 1969 constitutional rights, to unite children. Since, the police had sur- United Front has made it clear under the banner of the Black veyed the area, anti had seen wom- would not tolerate the dismissal of children leaving the church, Judge Crockett, and that it will continue r.e , United Front, and support one en and eo one can only conclude that the po- to fight for your .constitutional rights. netxap, g ga 48316 of the leading, black citizens of Sir . lice fired on the church with intent A victory for Judge Crockett is a vic- Honorable city, Judge George Crock- be a beam ending [ p you a end this to murder. A similarity can rights eadersnip y tory for your constitutional . A z`bzief r ett. This united support is a drawn between the shelling of a vil- ins pr aamir a for coed aaa i tegri~y victory far Judge Crockett is a victory ~ana~ mi . imp lage irr Vietnam. When suspected `air~r®.ae, must. n;s r eeearred t y . ~,ra aaareae a y p y sniper fire is discovered in certain for the dignity of the black race all over Let it be known that the black com- villages in Vietnam, the American world. So, let us move to unite to- - r nihteri:. a the ~mar p munity did not kill that white police- e s f tne o., ie eime and South Vietnamese f o r c gather and defeat the evil forces of u e arkaele -=1i naa rea segne salt of y oW e man, and Judge Crockett did oat let bomb and burn whole villages, in ana ~eof eo~ e e oaa white racism, and move ahead to over- IiRncsfor .%ek a eal iNaaga which women and children are reto .,e i~~`y s bet hundreds of black murderers loose onto i~g ~ dare get in our each et rnoae ana feet aa.r among the dead. In De- throw those people who °^ep policemen in the city. The counted a, .ea~tea .a p i y ~te~~ y ° unsuspecting troit, if heroic Black police had not path. Victory to the black community the follow- real issues can be listed as pulled their guns on the racist and its allies . whites, a whole church of women FRONT and children could have been killed. BLACK UNITED ~2~a~'b . ~. . (1) There was a definite failure 9094 Oakland provide (4) According to the first amend- on the part of the police to 873-2550 protection to life and property of ment, American citizens are given Page Eight THE SOUTH END Thursday, April 10, 1969 Eyewitness Testimony QUESTIONER : Ho w ma n y brothers stand up on the wall and brothers and sisters did you see get hold their hands up in the air. They wounded? had no regard for age whatsoever . JOHN: Well, I only can recall that QUESTIONER: W h a t about I seen one brother gem wounded. Then women? I saw a n o t h e r one carry anather brother out; he was wounded too. So JOHN: They handcuffed some of that was two that I can recall . the ~xomen. i seen are t h a t was handcuffed ~.nd they didn't let the QL'1JSTIONER : Did you see any women sit do~,"n eith "}r. They made instances o_f police brutality after them stand and gut their hands up, you were arrested? and when we got down to the station they brought the women and the chil- JOHN: Yes, for instance myself- dren down to a garage which was very I was dragged handcuffed through the cold and they didn't let them come alley by the policeman. He told me out. The New Bethcl Baptist Church-" . . . The beastly actions that the that of I blinked an eye he would blow white police officers administered on helpless women and children my brains out. QUESTIONER : We have heard inside . . . " -The GUARDIANS a report that policemen put a gun QUESTIONER: Did you see any up beside the head of a young fel- sisters and without notice or other instances of police brutality? ONE WITNESS a telling low about 15 years old. Were you the people to come on out. They just March 29, 1969 the Republic of around at that time? New Africa was holding a conference brake in and started shouting. So JOHN: Well, one other incident. here in Detroit from about 9 to 11 . Up quite naturally ,the brothers and sis- They put a police hat on a brother JOHN: Well, I wasn't actually until 11 everything was going along ters went for cover and scattered all 'and stuck his head up, making like around but that's what a brother told smoothly . The conference went along around and the Police Departiment- he's the man that said that he was and was ended and 2ne that they gut the gun up beside everyone was I have to correct them on this-~tliey coming up sa if there were any sni- asked to leave the lobby. As the his h~e~a~d and told him that if he sand said we opened fire first, which is pers on the roof, the brother would people began to leave someone open- anythnng they were going-you knew, ed fire on them. Women and children wrong. The opened fire on us and get killed . they wanted the brother to balk-~th!ey w e r e running around screaming, panicing-and myself, 1 was a little asked him bo rap and if he didn°t rohe~y shaken up by seeing the sisters and wet going to blow him away. the little babies huddled down on the ground. One sister just stood there QUESTIONER : Were there any and paniced by a cigarette down the other threats - threatening to kill alley. As we ran down the alley squad cars were already in the alley people? waiting for blacks, 1 guess. 1 broke- through a yard and went back out on JOHN: There was a threat to kill the street to get this other fellow that a si~smer down in the basement becauuse was with us, when they opened fire ~bhe sinter-she ¢oust have been in a again and we ran through this yard. As we were going through the yard stage of fright when the officar asked the police hollered, "Stop, you're her to come auk of the bas~exnen~t. dead." Then 1 jumped under a porch he asked her were there any other and laid for a while-for about an persons downstairs, and she said no, hour or so. The man was all up and and 'he said, "There were." And ih.~e down the alleys . They had brothers - to black, Negro cops in plain clothes, said, "If there were he was going looking like, you know, down brothers, kill her." every day brothers. Evidently they were inside the meeting also. They QUESTIONER: P r e v i a u s to had police in uniform looking like the Revolution is not a choice; it's a necessity. starting the tape you said some- gas man or telephone man or some- thing - you know, plain-dothes police : thing about your personal involve- 1 laid dead for about an hour. then they celled in far reinforcementts QUESTIONER : How did they mexrt. How did you like-when did About 15 or 20 minutes after 1 was which brought the whale thing about. treat the women and the young you actually encounter the gun fire, hiding under the porch I heard gun children? when did you know it? How were fire then a crash. Evidently a squad QUESTIONER : Did you see the you involved? How did you en- car or someone had crashed into JOHN: Well, the whole thing wqs and what kind of experi- something and all 1 could hear - you policeman get killed? counter it know the man was standing out front. actually racist because they treated ence did you have with it? 1 could see the lights from the car. 1 JOHN: Yes, I did. I seen him gem the younger brothers like they were could hear them Page 9) out talking and click- shot. I dan't know whether I saw him grown men. ThBy made t younger (Continued on ing their guns . About an hour after 1 get killed or not but I saw barn gem was there 1 decided to move a move Shot. out to the street and myself and an- other brother creeped down the alley on to the street. The neighborhood QUESTIONER : What happened, was just crawling with police. We was he going for his gun? Had the took a cab out of the area and that's gun fire already started when he got when 1 seen plain-clothes policemen shot or was that the first gun fire directing traffic and so on. I made it out of the neighborhood and contact- when he got shot? ed certain brothers that I could find and explained the situation. JOHN: The gun fire had already ANOTHER WITNESS got started before he gat shot. Be- (Partial Transcript) Cause they opened fire on him wiith punk shot-guns. Then he ran up to QUESTIONER : Tell me, John, how did the incident start last night the build~in~g widh a revolver and was at the National Conference of the shot. Republic of New Africa? QUESTIONER : What about . . . . . JOHN: The incident started -it were there any o t h e r policemen was really smarted by the Detronm Po- "A similarity can be drawn between the bombing of you saw shot? Black churches lice Departmenlt because they broke in the South and the riddling with bullets of this Black church in the in and opened fire on the brothers and JOHN: No. North"-B.U.F. -AII Photos on this Pege by KEN HAMBLlN Page Nine Thursday, Aprii 1(1, 1969 THE S O UTH E N D ". . . he hit me with the butt of a rifle and then he put the cuffs on my hands and he made me walls in front of him . . -Q Witness QUESTIONER : Tell me, what QUESTIONER: I mean paraffin kuxd of treatment did you receive tests for gtux powder burns or- at tlxe jail after you got tlxere? JOHN: Yes. I was tested for gun JOHN: Vrell at the jail, I myself, pu,~~der burns and I eras also tested I kept the cuffs cn my hands for at fnr--I forgot what trey called i~- least three hours, rre, C;ndiata, and nitrate or something. se~-eral other people. There ti"as a QUESTIONER : W h a t about woman ~~"ith cuffs on her hands, and your finger pruxts? they made us stand out in the cold in this garage with our hands up in JOHN: Well, they took several the air. sets of finger prints-,the whole palm -they took even a photographic pic- QUESTIONER : Was that i3U0 ture of each prisoner. Beaubien? QUESTIONER: We understand JOHN: Yes. that some new equipment in terms QUESTIONER : Did they inform of television equipment was used. you as to your rights? JOHN: Yeh, they brought each JOHN: Well, about four hours b r o t h e r in front of the television later we were informed of our rights. equipment to make a statement. They asked each brother their name, where QUESTIONER : I want to know, did they live, what were they doing they allow you to make a tele- did at the conference, things of that sort. phone call? QUESTIONER: When you were JOHN: Not everyone was allowed what type of experience did to make a telephone call b e c a u s e caught you have then? You said you were flxere were so many of us, so they said running in the alley. we would have to get around to it caught some other time. JOHN: Well first off, he hit me QUESTIONER: Did t h e y ask with the butt of a rifle and then he ,you any questions of any kind be- put tihe cuffs on my hands and he fore they informed ,you of your made me walk in front of him and he rights? told me to lay down on the pavement and told me if I moved he was going JOHN: No. to blow me away. Then after that QUESTIONER : Did they take bhey brought me and put me into a any tests of any kind? Were you squad car with other fellows. This The main entrance to New Bethel Church . Police fired more than tested? car was in the line of fire and we ask- women and children. one hundred rounds into this church filled with men, JOHN: In what sort of way do you ed the officers to move the squad car Four Black people wounded-one cop killed . -photo by SIMMONS mean ? and they refused. (Continued from Yage tS) JOHN: When the gun fire first started I was in my car and quite naturally I jumped for cover and Mark to-ld me he was on the opposite side of my car, to get out of my car with this shot. So I came out of my car and there was a young lady and a little girl, she was sitting on the pavement in front of my car and I grabbed her and told her to move an. She must have been in a state of fright and didn't want to move. Me and Mark, we ra x for cover sand I en- countered a police officer in the alley and he told me to get my hands up or he was going to kill me. QUESTIONER: What happened to Mark? JOHN: Well, I didn't see Mark after that. He must have left -you know. QUESTIONER: Were there any racial names? JOHN: Well, tlxey called us pigs, dirty niggers, meat heads - all kinds The freedom of our people will come as a direct product of our struggle. Students at a recent Malcolm X Day rally. of racial names. -Photo by SIMMONS April 10, 1969 Page Ten THE SOUTH END Thursday, Mass Media - A Racist Institution Coverage of the New Bethel Incident By the DETROIT FREE PRESS and the DETROIT NEWS nation as another couple. They were joined by By People Against Racism (PAR) over that their readers are similarly their program for a black the "an empty doctrine ." Even the Free several white youths . Mrs. Thomas re- with the country as a whole, uninterested in the testimony of Along to acknowledge, how- ported that after the other couple left, the press has too long basked in a black people involved. Press is force ovt of it, if at ever, that some blacks "feel a vague her husband "said he heard the word white world, looking summing up the incident in an all, with white men's eyes and a While sympathy with the extremists" and `rape' a-red heard that these guys were editorial April 1 as an "irrational act" by white perspective. that a goad many black men . . . de- after a woman, any woman." The Tho- organiza~tian," (Kerner Report, p. 389) an "irrational extremist scribe themselves as `black national- mases attempted to leave but found that Free Press i unconcerned that the the ist' or even `separatist' . . . " It is their car would not start. According to police involved might have acted irra- INTRODUCTION white racism that denies legitimacy the News, "Police found several! wires other expectations Free tionally . Yet what or respect to the desire of black peo- had been pulled loose from the engine ." The headline of the have of a police department 1 reads; could we ple to separate from a racist white Thomas was shot in front of the park Press editorial of April infamous for its abuse of black people society which has enslaved, oppressed recreation center to which they were "Keep Isolated Incidents Within executions, during in the Algiers Motel and attempted to dehumanize them for refused admittance. Mrs . Thomas lost her Narrow Limits." This is a typi- and the Veterans Memorial Cobo Hall I nearly 400 years. baby the following week, a paint of `fol- cal example of the racist dis- Incident, during the July '67 rebellions, tortion of reality practiced by low-up' reported in neither the Free newspapers. the Howard King case, the harassment The hysterical response of the News Press or News. Detroit's m a j o r of Negro police officer Kenneth John- and Free Press to the death of one white isolated about The News reported the Rouge Park There is nothing son? There is clearly more historical cap is reasonable if one shares the ra- assaults on the black community evidence of irrational behavior on the cist view of the police as the 'thin blue Incident on page 2; the Free Press put only by the white police. There is part of the police than on the part of line' between the ghetto and the white it on page 15. The further cover- nothing isolated about attacks the 135 black members of the RNA sub- community. As Monsignor Canfield de- age within a full week of the inci- on Judge George Crockett for jected to gunfire and arrest . clared at Czapski's funeral, "If it were dent appeared in the Free Press of an article regarding re- dispensing true justice to black not for these brave men apolicel, how June 27 : the aspect The press is unwilling to even ques- lease of all but one of the men held people. The only isolated quickly we would crawl back to the cave tion the possibility that the police, in of the New Bethel incident is and the jungle." Such response is an in- for investigation. their need to justify their acts, could dis- that a white policeman died and dication of the extent to which the nor- tort testimony. The only justification for On Wednesday evening, November 31, no black people did. mal expectation of whites is that only The New Bethel Incident and ate after- firing into the church is that the police 1966, a white store clerk in the down- black people will die in confrontations math is a study in white power and ra- were fired on from the church . There- town Hudson's was stabbed by a black between them and the police . When the cism. This is particularly evident in the fore, since the church was fired on, the shoplifter. The incident was reported on possibility opened that .such results can reporting and interpretation of the in- justification logically follows. Could we the front page of both the News and be reversed, racist fears are bound to cident by the News and Free Press. In expect the police- to admit firing into Free Press, with an additional human in- surface. An additional assumption car- a case which is confusing at best, neither the church with no justification-have terest story on the front page of the ried in the press' frenzied response is News. The News followed of the city's major papers has presented they ever admitted to conscious or un- with a front- that white life is worth more than black a balanced and clarifying account. Their conscious error? page, top headline story on December 2. life. News and Free Press coverage of coverage, instead, has been character- a story on page 3 December 3, front- In their editorial of April 1, the Free past incidents reflects thus assumption . ized by one-sidedness and inflammatory page on December 4, and an editorial on Press exhorts the black community to December 8 entitled "What's the An- innuendo. A BRIEF HISTORY OF RACIST "Sort Out the Separatists," while the swer to Crime in the Streets? - );t's "NEWS" COVhRAGE . THE MEDIA CREATES News "questions the silence of moderate More Policemen ." The editorial read in black leaders." Assuming that the black RACIAL HYSTERIA Although the media's coverage of the part : "The fatal stabbing 'of a salesman community is susceptible to this sort of New Bethel incident has been at best by a shoplifter in Hudson's downstore The questions omitted by the News `divide and rule' psychology, one won- confusing and at worst rampant with simply drives home the gravity of a and Free Press are as significant as ders what the purpose is of this sepa- racial hysteria, it is not exceptional . This crime problem which seems to grow whatrs reported . With only the testi- ration. The Free Press suggests that se- is not the first violent confrontation be- deeper each month." mony of officer Worobec, the papers as- parists attempts by the RNA will paral- tween members of the black community sume there is a basis for describing the lel the experience of the "American In- Why is one stabbing more indica- and the white police and white commu- New Bethal Incident six times as an "am- dians." The Free Press forgets, of course, tive of a growing crime rate than the nity . The significance of this incident is bush" or "slaying" and once as a mur- that the white man's armed strength fatal shooting of a man in a park? that whites were killed or injured in- der." Ambushes and murders are proven was responsible for the "Indians' " ex- stead of blacks. On Thursday evening, April 21, 1967. in court, not in the racist imaginations of perience of "physical separation into de- the 15-year-old son of a policeman was the white press. Reiterating eight threes signated areas." (In case the RNA misses Both the News and Free Press have stabbed to death at Cobo Hall. The News the police assertion that Czapski and the message, however, Commissioner a tradition in their coverage of crimes devoted its front page, often with a top Worobec had their revolvers in their Spreen's recommendations are loud and committed by blacks against whites as headline, to the incident for six days; holsters makes police provocation no less clear: Detroit policemen in the 10th pre- compared to crimes committed by whites the Free Press covered it for five days . likely. Is it reasonable to believe two cinct will carry either Ml rifles or their against blacks . Murders and other crimes Several `human interest' stories appear- white policement would approach 10-12 own weapons .) of violence by whites against blacks re- ed throughout the week, regarding the armed black men with no weapons in ceive second-page coverage, minimal fol- boy's . family and the band he was play- their The press view of the black com- hands? With ample precedent for low-up and are generally reported as iso- ing with at Cobo Hall the night he was munity i~ further revealed in headlines police officers drawing their weapons on lated incidents . Murders and other killed. On April 22, bhe Free Press titled such as "Ambush slayers of policeman black people in less provoking situa- crimes by blacks against whites receive an editorial "Cobo Hall Murder Shows hunted," "Killer hunt feared ruined ;' tiarns, surely the press is being presump- front-page, top headline coverage for Need for Fight an Crime ." tuous in and "Church ambush slayers of patrol- ate conclusions. several days, human interest stories an The News' and Free men (si¢) are hunted ." We assume Again we must ask - Why does the Press' unques- the victim's family, and editorial com- journalists realize that PEOPLE are murder of a white boy by two black tioning support of the police action ments on the "rising crime rate.'' allows them to also accept police searched for, ANIMALS are hunted . teenagers indicate the need to fight charges that they were fired on from White racist mentality is fed by such Early Sunday morning, June 25, 1967, crime and the murder of a black man inside New Bethel Church . While re- nuance . The same is true of the News a black man attempting to protect his by a gang of white youths does not? people in- pregnant wife porting the police version of the story statement that some of the from a gang of white The coverage of confrontations be- side wearing "Afri- youths was shot in Rouge over 20 times, the papers report the New Bethel were the head at tween black people and the police i,s also can garb," and Press label- Park . The eyewitness story of Mrs . Tho- Republic of New Africa (RNA) denial the Free revealing. The white policeman killed in ma~s, the victim's wife, of any such provocation only 5 times. ling of the ANA as "black separatists" appeared only in the New Bethel Incident is called a "Po- alone. the Michigan Chornicle-a Negro news- Once again, the police side of the story a total of 13 times on Monday lice Hero ." Blacks killed by white police seems sufficient evidence for the News The latter is clearly intended to dele- paper. She and her husband had been and Free Press. They assume, more- gitimize the RNA, as is the labelling of spending the evening in the park with (Continued on Page 11) Thursday, April 10, 1969 THE SOUTH END Pag^s Maven Racist Role of the Mass Media (Continued from Page 10) pony of such stalwart racists as Senator kett "previously has found `extenuat- story. The Free Press editorial of the James 0. Eastland of Mississippi, who ing circumstances' for lenient senten- same day concludes that Judge Crockett and guardsmen during the July 1967 re- brought this same kind of "background" ces." His `proof' for this is reiteration "ran roughshod" over the standard of bellion are called "rebellious ." The cov- to the attention of the U.S . Senate in of one case from a year before . In reasonable time before arraignment . It erage of the Algiers Motel Incident is 1964 when Crockett and other lawyers all, this one week of the News attack also expressed hope that the prosecutor particularly significant . Many of the were attempting to protect the legal on Crockett included at least 12 items : may be able to overcome the obstacles headlines in both the News and Free rights of Negroes in Mississippi . news articles, editorials or cartoons- Crockett has supposedly put in his way. Press refer to the incident as "riot beat- all relating to two individual instances Judge Crockett is now the target Fed by such inflammatory journal- ings" as often or more than as "riot of persons being ordered on probation of a massive and vicious vendetta by ism, its is no wonder that people who deaths"-and never as "murder" (which to apply for narcotics rehabilitation . the Detroit had only the mass media to guide them one police officer was finally charged News for his actions to insure the constitutional telephoned, telegrammed, protested with). rights as ac- With no new facts to report, the cused persons who happen to be black. News kept Judge Crockett's name be- and made resolutions concerning The Free Press found the Algiers The fact is that the News has resort- fore the public for several successive Judge Crockett . The racist defamation Motel Incident disturbing enough to ed to distortion in order to make its days, Sunday, March 9, the paper runs fed itself as the calls, telegrams, state- print an editorial August 9 titled "Any case. The paper has also, by contin- a page three headline story, "Drug hos- ments and resolutions were duly re- Abuses of the Law Must Also Be Pun- uous coverage and reiteration of par- pital rejects Crockett probationer." Two ported each day. ticular cases handled by the Judge, ished." It is interesting, however, that sentences of this eigth-column story are A few reported statements conceded created the impression that he has the editorial does not regard the inci- devoted to the matter cited in the head- the fact that-perha~ps Crockett had oper- `flooded' the streets dent as part of a growing trend in the of Detroit with line . The bulk of the article is devoted ated judiciously and within the Consti- known criminals. Detroit Police Department or the Na- to reiterating the Tyler story for at tution as he asserted, but implied that least the tenth tional Guard. Furthermore, editorials On February 18, 1969, the News car- time, and again men- practices carried out to the contrary tioning Pierce . on a rising crime rate suggest solu- ried the story of Lloyd K. Tyler, a Ne- have been widely "accepted ." Judge tions (primarily more policemen). The gro who pleaded guilty before Judge For three more Crockett was more explicit in hi press editorial on the Algiers Motel Incident successive days the Crockett to assualt with intent to rob, News maintains the anti-Crockett mo- statement of April 3: "But I will not lend calls for an "investigation"-not a so- le- while being armed. Judge Crockett sen- mentum . In a March 10 story, an inter- my office to practices which subvert lution . processes deny justice to some: tenced him to two years' probation, sti- view reports the "amazement" of a wo- gal and pulating that Tyler, a drug addict, must because they are poor or black." A Free 'the editorial on the Algiers Motel In- man who had been burglarized by a apply to the federal narcotics rehabili- Press editorial of April 3 goes sa far as cident was only one in a series of edit- young man whose sentence ltad been re- tation center in Lexington . Ky. . The to sa,y : "lf .Judge Crockett's interpreta- orials by the News and Free Press con- duced by Crockett . Her view is : "Person- News story carried a full description of tion of the line between investigation cerning the rebellion . That particular ally, I think a lot of the crime could be Tyler's previous record . The following and arrest is accepted as general doc- editorial, however, was the only one to stopped if judges like Crockett would day, the News editorial stated : "A three- trine, then police procedure will have to mention the fact that any black people stop being so lenient." Obviously a sen- time loser who had pleaded guilty to a be vastly altered." had died. The lives of two white fire- timent for which the News had by this fourth charge walked out of a Detroit men and one white policeman (reported time prepared many wiTlmg believers . .1 It becomes clear that Judge Crockett s courtroom Monday a free man because of in the Free Press editorial "Exchanging News editorial the following day refers legitimacy comes into question by the the generosity of Judge George C. Croc- Salutes" August 1, 1967) are worth more to Judge Crockett's "practice of granting press when his power begins to protect kett ." The statement is plainly inaccu- in the eyes of the media than are the immunity," a calculatedly inflammatory the rights of black hec "plc . The Free rate. Tyler was never freed, nor is he lives of over forty black people. Pre- generalization. The headline of this cdit- Press praised Crockett iu Co~tc?ber 19ti8 presently free. Tyler was not accepted , dictably, while the editorials were ignor- torial is particularly significant : "Iindcr because lu' ., kept his , a~ol~ "r~ct protect by the rehabilitation center and was re- ` ing the loss of black lives, they were Crockett's `justice' the innocent auffer." ed the riglot of those at r; ~,` ~,: daring tlo~ turned to Wayne County Jail where he commending the forces of law and order Translation : Judge Crockett is respon- 19111 rebellion . At tlo .ot time l ;f:; concern presently awai s disposition of his case. and attacking the black community : The sible for committing crimes a:;;tin ;t 81 s.mH too<~ because it prcscn . i the nc- The News had already, however, created editorials in the News and Free Press on year-old widows . cc= Page Twelve T H E S O U T H E N I) Thursday, April 18, 1969 al guarantee, legal maneuver, and ounce of judicial influence to protect them- selves in the Algiers case or the Veter- ans Memorial Incident. The dispensa- tion of the James Earl Ray case serves as a reminder of the fact that no white man has ever received the maximum penalty for causing the death of any black person in the history of thus coun- Chaplin's try. In short, when it couues to crimes against black people, whites have tradi- tionally been totally paralyzed in ad- CLASSIC FILM ministering punishment against them- selves. It clearly follows that if whites are to be restrained, it will be necessary for blacks to do the restraining. It is also clear that if crimes against black THE people are to be honestly and objective- ly reported by the press, the press wi'11 have to be black. GOLD ~i1SH A METRO BENEFIT CLASSICAL GUITARIST WSU Helen DeRoy Auditorium At 7:00, 8:30 and 10:00 P.M. April 15 -- 8:30 p.m. Tonight Sponsored by the CLASSICAL GUITARIST SOCIETY LOWER DeROY AUDITORIUM OF MICHIGAN WAYHE STATE UNIVERSITY l.oo .R~~~~r~sy~ ~! y! ..i~.i_! ~!_~ _I- .1 y_! .i ,I _ _- Page Thirteen Thursday, Aprih 10, 1969 THE SOUTH END A sharing of thoughts, feelings, and actions is fraternity. We ask for a part of you and we give Why Do a part of ourselves. There Is A Difference You Read Meet Us Sunday. Go Pikes So Slowly? A noted publisher in Chicago reports there is a simple tech- SigmaAIphaMu nique of rapid reading which Applications Are Being should enable you to increase your reading speed and yet r e t a i n much more. Most Accepted Foa- people do not realize how 1ST RUSH PARTY much t h e y could increase their pleasure, success and income by reading faster and more accurately . Director Sunday, April 13 8:A0 p. m. According to this publisher, Frosh Camp many people, regardless of their present reading skill, 689 VIRGINIA PARK between 2nd and 3rd can use this simple technique Apply S-FC Office to i m p r o v e their reading ability to a remarkable de- CENTER. Sammies Welcome Everyone gree. Whether reading stories, 393 UNIVERSITY books, technical matter, it be- comes possible to read sen- 577-3416 tences at a glance and entire pages in seconds with this method . To acquaint the readers of this newspaper with the easy- to-follow rules for developing rapid reading skill, the com- Steve says pany has printed full details of its interesting self-training advertising method in a new booklet, "How to Read Faster and Re- raises prices . tain More," mailed free. No obligation. Send your name, address, and zip code to: Reading, 835 Diversey, Dept. 163-419, Chicago, 60614: A postcard will do. ~Ifydu're , thinking of the religious Life . .. 0 Or~~step Further . t~ ...... If you are seriously thinking ~,. ...:..:::.:w:....:.:..::_. :.....~: of the priesthood, the ques- tion becomes not "what" but ,;~,ho." Who can allow you to utilize your own innate talents? Who is most attuned to our times'? Who can offer the most freedom in your work? But how come The answer is the Paulists . Their goal is to meet the that color TV set needs of all God's people as they arise in eaclx era acrd bought each age . The Paulist tries his fraternity just to make Christ, His teach- ings and His Church more costs ~3001ess than understandable to those he it used to? can reach. In our recent Renewal Chap- ter we established the guide- lines by which a Paulist Ten years ago, a typical 21-inch color TV set sold Cor 8700 . seminarian and priest would Today, tiuu can get a comparable set fur under 8400 . With a operate in these changing lot of improvements, to boot . L,ikc automatic fine tuning . And times. A summary of these less need for servicing . renewal principles is avail- What brought the price clown so dramatically? Many mil- able to those who question lions of dollars of advertising, mainly . "whether a priest can really Wcrcn't there a lot of technological improvements, too? Yes. be with it today." actually added to the price-without the But they might have about the vast increase in sales, anct volume production, made possible by To find out more Paulist spirit, send for an this aci~.crtising . favors illustrated brochure and a :~luvbe you, like Stcv°c, think advertising raises prices, our Renewal product "; on the market . But actual summary of Vigcutfits, help, keep useless Chapter Guidelines. caws prove just theupposite .Advcrtisiaglow~rs prices (like color TV .) Encuuragrs competition. Promotes new ideas. (Contac, for Write to : instan~-e .) Helps the imaginative little guy catch up (like Diet Vocation Director Rite Culu, who beat the big cola companies with a good prraduct . . .and advertising .) lntcrcstcd? Write us . ~Ne'II gladl} send you more facts about Paulist advertising . You'll find they speak for themselrcs . ~Fathe~ In the meantime, keep an open mind . Room 415 West 59th Street ASSOCIATION OF 1NUl;STRIAL ApVERTISt:RS, 41 EAST 42nd STREET, '.JEW YORK, N .Y. 10017 . New York, N.Y. 10019 x#231 AW Page Fourteen THE SOUTH END Thursday, April 10, 1969 The METRO Presents 7, 8:30, 10 P.M. TONIGHT CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S ~O . uS Lower DeRoy- ~1 000000000000000000000000000000000 0 AUDITORIUM 0 "Not For Wealth, Rank, or Honor, FRIDAY - APRIL 25 - 8:30 P.M. - FORD 0 but For Personal PETE SEEGERfolk singers." "I Would piece Peter Seeger in the first rank of American 0 0 -CARL SANDBERG Worth and Character" 0 Tickets: j5.50, 4.50, 3.50, 2.50 Available at Ford Auditorium all Grinnell and J. L. Hudson stores, Wayne State University end University of Detroit. That's why TKE is Number One e Student Discount of 61 .00 per ticket at each price level for tickets pur- 0 chased at Wayne State University or University of Detroit. Mail orders sF.ould include self-addressed stamped envelope . . o Auspices : American Civil Liberties Union 0 Tau Kappa Epsilon"s 0 0 FIRST RUSH PARTY 0 0i 0 Tonight 8:00 p. m. 0 0 97 W. VIRGINIA PARk " 0 0 871-8974 ®ooooo0000000 00000000000000000 000 4"N""N"N"N"N"N"N"N""N"N"N"N""""""N"N""N"N"N""" "~""""N"N"N"N"H"N"N"N"N""N"N"N"""""ON"N"N"" "" l . l~m snro arc" my kivd wl '_ . l tlvivk wuvhc ",ant and rno "_" imlk~iwwr, Iran . amid, vii, lpn;ilrlv . . . .. "" 1 in mcaW l. . lu' . . . W In~naaniW. . ." S-FC NEEDS "" ._. ._. GOOD MEMBERSHIP ._. ".__". .2~ Apply For Candidacy Before AAril lb ._. 'f :. ;_: 393 UNIVERSITY CENTER CALL 577-3416 S-FC ELECTIONS -- APRIL 28 and 29 "t~ ""N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N""""""""""N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N"N~< . " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " s " " " " " " " " " " " " " i . I v.r. always l . ;\ml I vca; ln,piir~ dart ;ulmirurl eenr . Ix rli.rhe, .min (ume, ilm ir ; iinrttntl. ,. Jv olin "r ini~~lU h,movor to ru ;un "\~ itlanU aW m od C r. is me cloatinv . . ." ..: TIME I NC. u For details about careers at Equitable, see your Placement Officer, or write : Lionel M . Stevens, Manager, College Employment . OPEN RUSH PARTY THE EQUITABLE THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1969 The Eduitable Life Assurance Society of the United States 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New fork, New Ybrk 10019 8:30 P.M. 699 VIRGINIA PARK An Equal Opportunity Engrloyer, M/F ',J' Equitable 1968 Thursday, April 10, 1969 THE SOUTH END Page )l~fteen STUDENTS earn $40, $60, $75 ENGLISH MAJOR must be fast weekly showing new line of reader, like research, and crea- C CLASSIFIED home care products . 2-4 hrs. per tive writing . Call after 5 :00 p.m. day . 421-6620 . 4-9C 538-6099 . 4-11C HOW DOE'S IT FEEL PART-TIME help 16-20 hours a AUDIO SALESMAN-full time week, $2.00 per hour . Some Sat- for large home entertainment e bookkeeping chain. Profit sharing, fringe be- u r d a y, s o m BR 3-8921 Mrs. TO BE ONE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS knowledge . C a 11 963-0161 be- nefits, etc . Call tween 8:00 a.m .-6 :00 p.m . Gray for interview . 4-11C 4-lOC WEDDING photography-photo- CLERK TYPIST. Campus area, THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE? graph that special occasion by weekday afternao,ns, and free qualified photographer. Garson MIDNIGHT desk clerk for West- p~a~rking . Call afternoon. TR 5- Zeltzer, P. P. A. 547 4805. Stu side motel, ample time for study. 6450. 4-14C dent rates. 6-6A BR 2-1400. 4-lOC FOR RENT WEDDING invibations priced to STUDENTS to solicit real es- fit your budget . Regular $13.50 tate listing by phone. Hours ar- now only $9.95 for 100 . Also, ranged to fit your schedule . Ex- ATTRACTIVE, clean 3 room Napkins, Matches, a n d acces- cellent pay . 6 Mile-Wyoming furnished apt. in quiet, recon- PHI SIGMA DELTA sories. Laura Bros. Printing, area.345-8300 . 4-lOC ditioned bldg . one block from 5714 Cass at Palmer . Open eve- campus . Only $80 plus security . nings by Appointment, TR GIRLS' CAMP near Port Huran See manager . 648 Prentis. 1-4222 . 6-6A needs counselors, business man- 4-1 OD ager (min . 19 yes .) crafts, water- unit leaders (min. 21 yes.) PRIME East Jefferson - Indian - RUSH PARTY - AuroMOeuEs front, Jinn-e 15 thru Awg. 17 . WO 1-9220, Village are. Spotless one bed- ext. 20. 4 lOC room apt., new furniture, park- ing. $85 plus security. Efficien- '63 CHEVROLET window-pan- $75. 1239 eled truck. Radio, heater. $500 . SALESMAN full or part-time cy unit also available, 839-2623. 4-13B for quality" retail store near cam- Holcomb. 4-lOD pus. Call TR 1-0202. 4-16C T~t'~NIGHT CLEAN furnished apts . WSU bedrooms. v HELr WANTED NIGHT CLERK wanted . 12 mid- area. Studio, 1 and 2 8:00 in the m o r n i n . Reasonable. rents, utilities in- night - g cluded . 353-1240 . 6-6D PAID Saturday helper needed Thursday, Friday and Saturday TRANSrORTATION IF YOU IIAVF;?:''1' met us, yo~~ for male physically disabled stu- rites. Apply in person, Riviera ROOMS for rent, communal liv- 577-3363 or Room Ivlotel . 21350 W. McNichols . Con per don't know what ut:r idea of a dent. Apply ing. On campus, $35 to $55 fraternity is. We've t^fed to tell 415 Mack Hall. 4-9C tact Mr. Barrett . 4-11C month. Call Jim. 833-5677 . FLORIDA non-step . Leaving 4- 4-16D you, but a frate:wity- is peaBle, 11-69. S h a r e driving my car, rat wards, please meet us, 5ur<<- split light expenses . Responsible d~ay, April 13, 8:00 p:m. 266 E . 624 WEST ALEXANDRINE, 3 person--reference required . Call 4-1GJroom furnished apt. Shower, Ilancack. GO PIKES! free John WA 2-2571 4-lOH free parking, free washing, .at animals live dryers . $95 a month. Apply IS IT TRUE tl . 4-17D tiYAN11D at fr89 Virginia Park? And' Cliff here Cohen is the head . 4-lOJ THREE ROOM APT. All new LOOKING for female singer Hatpaint appliances. Newly de- who can also play grFitar and or- corated and remodeled . Furnish- gan . Willing to trac"el for one ed or unfurnished . Utilities in- year. Contact Mike. 519-256- cluded . 110 W. Forest. 864-360(1 8421 . 4-10 I or 345-8880. 4-14D HELP TAKII\TG 3 young children PhiGammaNu' 2 hrs. Tuesday and Professional ~usirtess SALE outside, FOR Thursday. Time flexible, $1.00 and Social Sorority per hr. Call C'harline 831-6818. 9x12 FT. CAMPING TENT with 4-10 I attached canvas floor. Alum- inum Umbrella supports. One FEMALE raomma~te to Share FIRST year old. $80. Call 833-0814 with same . ZVladern apt . near mornings or evenings . 4-14E campus. $50 per month. Includ- PARTY ing wtil~ities. 833-4921. 4-14I RUSH FURNITURE, odds and ends for do-it-yourself . Old wood bed, rERSONAL THURSDAY chest, dresser $40.00 all . Buffet APRIL 10, 1969 $22.00 . 2 wall-bed coil springs NEED a new place to park with $10. each . Double bed complete your honey? Get lost on the Al- 8 :00 p. m. $20. Electric mixer, roaster, per- pha Chi Sigma road rally. 6 p.m. culators . irons, radios. Two cab- Parking structure Saturday . ALPHA KAPPA PSI inet TV's $25. each . Two con- 4-11J soles TV's $35. each. Antique FRATERNITY HOUSE door archway spindle cornice THERE IS a difference. It's at (7'/z ft.) $23. Antique porch 689 West Virginia Park . Come 5832 Second Avenue spindles. By appointment . 833- and See . Sunday. Sammies 1st 4231 4-14E Rush Party. All Welcome. 4-9J FOR All GIRLS IN SPECIAL PRLCES an binocular Business - Business Education at microsoapes to medioal stwdents. IS IT TRUE that animals live Home Economics 4-9J Call evenings . GR 6-1589. 689 Virginia Park? Merchandising 4-14E Retail and MEET PIKES on Sunday, April Two-Year Secretarial Program CRUISING SLOOP, 22 ft. Sleeps 13, 8:00 p.m. at 266 E. Hancock . four, 25 horse power motor, 4-9J , many extras. Just add water and women! 584-4070 4-10E 19" ZENITH portable TV. $70 . Good condition. Please call, 642- 6921. 4-11E SET OF GREAT Books of the Western World with Syntopicon. Excellent condition . Best reason- able offer. Call 642-1244. 4-11E LOST AND FOUND LOST : two casettes c-60 for por- table tape recorder containing record of conversation of per- sonal value to owner. $15 re- ward. Call S. Helms, Physics Playtex~ invents the first-day tampon Dept . 577-2774. 4-11F LOST: A brand new Wallensak (We took the inside out 3M hope recorder and accesso- ries . Also a tape interview of to show you how different it is.) Sylvia Wayne. Please return : it's softer and silky (not cardboardy) . tape if not recorder . Call The Outside South Emd - 577-3494. Leave Inside : it's so extra absorbent . . .it even protects on message . No questions asked - your first day . Your worst day! reward of $10.00 payable i¢nme- In every lab test against the old cardboardy kind . diately . 4-11F the Playtex tampon was always more absorbent . sE1mc~ Actually 45 o more absorbent on the average than the leading regular tampon. scNOLAaY TsrINS a DurucAnNc Because it's different . Actually adjusts to you. lob Hwence at s.m.a It flowers out. Fluffs out. Designed to protect every rre~.ilA~/ rte. r~.r..r services S1~ 1f~R Stede~f Rates inside inch of you. So the chance of a mishap Di~wtatieas - These - FssaFs is almost zero! t ~, Terns aed Raeearah r,wrs - Rep ~;: Try it fast. `. era .or rr ..~, fir. " ~. Bbv-~sK Why live in the past s~dt sJyuae .,nR ral~j~3cans PATRONIZE on 3rC opD~ Theatre' OUR ADVERTISERS 3rd at the BIvC. " TR . 40025 FREE PARKING " Entrance Rec er's Court Jadge GEORGE C . CROCKETT, JR. "Your actions do stand as a beacon light for all of us to seek and bring real change and reform in order to make it work as being responsive to the crying needs of all our people." Photo by SIMMONS Black United Front