MADISON COUNTY PROGRAMS (CORE, COFO, MFDP) 6* Memoranda 196U-1965 CORE staff, receiving checks from New York: George Raymond, Jr. Mrs, Annie Devine CO. Chinn, Sr, Martha Wright Jo Ann Oo.iman Mary Ann Shupenko Will be on CORE staff, now receiving subsistence from Miss. CORE: Tom Ramsay Kathy Lucido Bill Forsyth Work-study checks from SNCC: Myrtis Evans Eartiss Crawford CO. Chinn, Jr. - independent support from outside job Margaret Burnside - borrowed from Neshoba for ASC elections Barbara Lindsay - independent support Cars: At present we have two rented Valiants from CORE, they may be taken away after the ASC elections, We also have a '54 Ford which was turned over to the Sojourn Motor Fleet, registered in Martha Wright's name. Added to that is the u )c of CO. Chinn1 a car, a '6l Pontiac which keeps breaking down. (Incidentally, Martha's car is not in good shape and I seriously wonder if it would be worth it to salvage it and keep it running. Lastly, we have a '4? Chevy which has no insurance. Dick Jewett is checking into insurance for the car and feels that the $200 it would cost would not be worth the trouble. I agree with him; the car is undefendable and can't be taken on long distances. Programs: At this time it must be realized that every staff person and every source of energy has been channeled to the ASC elections. There is a Negro majority in population ration and we have a chance of winning the Board. By the time of the conference, we'll know. These programs have been carried on before the elections and will be picked up after the elections are over, 1. We have a combination roving and stationary freedom school. Two nights a week, freedom school is held in Canton at the community cen ter, and the other nights are divided up in visiting the other rural areas such as Gluckstadt, Flora, etc. 2. The community center is located next door to the Freedom House. After several shipments of books we have received from CORE'S Southern Education Project, I can honestly say that we have one of the best libraries in the state; equaling any public school and doing them two or three better. The kids can be very unruly at times, which is their way of asking for the attention they so badly need. When the center is reopened after the elections, I believe local parents and church groups will have a major part in running it, which is as it should be. MADISON AND RANKIN COUNTIES/ 2 3. Federal Programs is Tom Ramsay's domain, I do know that the one great thing evolving out of this area is the Madison County Farmers League. They have received their incorporation papers and are inten ding to start a cotton gin (a real honest gin) and a Co-op. Now they are selling stock and are in need of a manager for the Co-op, a lawyer and an expert on co-ops. They also handle matters and questions on health, education and welfare. The ASC elections are part of their program. There is an average voter and freedom registration campaign on, and the FDP is pushed a great deal (due to Mrs. Devine's playing a great role in FDP). We work in cooperation with the Madison County Movement which is headed in great part by Rev, J. F. McRee. After the election I believe we are going to start massive voter registration drives. In Rankin County, the people are alive and ready to move, thanks to George Raymond. They are raising money to build their own community center end it's being done by the local people—which is great. Afterthought: Canton is going to begin raising money for a Freedom Community Center—plans are still in the discreet stage. Mary Ann Shupenko -?%&»t£A+M. CSty***" <^^
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K -tUUi i uAi ~ r L_ ,' / \ j LEARN MORE ABOUT FREEDOM DAY AT A MASS MEETING, SUNDAY,, FEBRUARY 23, 1964, AT 3:00 P.M. AT MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 514 W. NORTH ST., CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, REV. P. F. PARKER, PASTOR
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COFO ICULD LIES TC MAKE CI2AB ITS POSITIQB OH THB WM^Sf^^X^ MARCH
lor two months the local ccevunitics have difg-pvised their problems. When community te&SgtfcaaJQU e together fig^fey the reports and reso lutions indicated there baa >J$9fl n0 lOS&l discussion about marches and demonstrations. It is Clear, tit&ZlTbs* t that the p€>«?le of Madison County had not had enough time to consider if a march was needed.
COFO feels that the U.S. Congress will probably pass a strong voting bill eliminating all barriers to voter registration. We feel that the bill should be given time to prove it&elf. If Congrats does not act soon on this voting bill, then we have no choice but to demon" strate. If Congress passes the voting bill and the local authorities refuse to comply, then, too, is the time to demonstrate.
COFt has always supported the^jajfljjflg County Movement in all its programs. COFO seeks to develop local leadership and to work under the direction of this leadership. Therefore, even though the majority of the convention delegates may have voted to march without knowing the opinions of the people whom they represented, we will go along with the march Tuesday. But all future decisions must originate with full discussion in tho local communities.
OGfO feels that the people of Madison County should not lose sight of the original purposes of their county convention. Local communities should start immediately to develop programs to deal with problems (roads, schools, etc) presented in the resolution's at the convention. In Jackson April 1**4 public depositions will be taken and political workshops held as part of the 10-day rebuttal Period of the Congressional Challenge. COtfO encourages the people of Madison County to continue with their programs and to use the feelings of the convention to develop new ideas after the march i3 over.
\ £?*<^e-&i ^ Madison County Welfare sheet
The Welfare com dttee was called to order on April 8, 1964 about 3:30 p.m. "by George Raymond. Tins meeting was held at the freedom house. General Description of work: 1. Find homes foe people who have been thrown out of theirs. 2. Find people who have lost their jobs and have no money. 3. Fine people who have low income and children. Can they keep them attending school? 4. Com lit tee heads can help in funds to improve the conditions of families homes. 5'. .A system of some kind should he set up for the distribution of food, clothiig, etc. 6. Draw up forms for Welfare Com ittee. (general information) 7. Find out who should receive Social Security but, isn't. People present at this meeting were: Mr. John Ooodloe, Rte.3 Box 47 A santon, ?ffiss. Phone number 859-269. Mrs. Mat^ie Williams, 311-A prichard homes, Canton phone number 859-4289. Mrs. Annie Devine, 347-D Prichard eomes, Canton, Miss., phone 859-4289. T*rs. Marion Rohinson, South Second Avenue, Canton, Miss., phone 859-4289.
Mrs. Rosa C3ay, 500 Welch St. Cityfp'-one 859-3520. CORE VOTER CAMPAIGN NETS 2700 IN TWO WEEKS A 2-week CORE voter registration drive in March in Dade County, which includes the Miami area, has added £Dfl£-LATOR 2700 Negro registrants to the rolls. So announced CORE Field Secretary Published bimonthly by the CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY Weldon Rougeau. 38 Park Row, New York 38, N.Y. Subscription $2.00 a year Since Rougeau started working on A National Organization with affiliated local groups working to abolish voter registration in this area in September 1962, the total number of racial discrimination by direct nonviolent methods Negro registrants in the county has James Farmer, national director Jim Peck, editor risen from 30,000 to 42,000. "About "viSifiil*'> 252 MARCH-APRIL, 1964 105 42% of the potential Negro vote is now registered," he said. He praised county officials for making available voter registration sub-stations in all FREEDOM DAY IN CANTON, MISSISSIPPI areas of the county. Thirty-eight such By Edward Hollander sub-stations were established, of which 12 were in Negro areas. Five organizations including the Florida Council of the AFL-CIO joined CORE in the campaign which included widespread leaflet distribu tion and organization of car pools. Voter Drive Outruns Go Id water's "Business is booming for (the county registrar) because simultan eously throughout Gadsden county (in northwestern Florida) two voter drives are being conducted," writes Joe Rice in the St. Petersburg Times. "One is spearheaded by a pair of prominent white businessmen who support Senator Goldwater for the Republican nomination. The other is being pushed by Patricia Stephens Due, a Negro employed by CORE. Her goal is to get get as many Ne groes on the voter rolls as possible between now and April 5 when the books close. After the initial spurt of 30 names, the (Goldwater) drive seems to have lost some of its mo mentum. The movement to register This photo shows the first of some 350 Negroes who lined-up in front of the Negroes, on the other hand, seems to police-guarded Madison County courthouse in Canton, Mississippi on Free be gaining momentum each day." dom Day—February 28. They stood in line for five hours in chilly weather, Mrs. Due reports that the arrest of though only five were admitted to take the registration test. The first 150 four CORE voter registration work marched in a body from Freedom House, the CORE-initiated community ers in late January prompted several center. The remaining 250, arriving from out-of-town by mule, horsecart and hundred Negroes to register "without on foot, were halted by a barricade of city police but were permitted to pro our having to urge them." ceed to the courthouse two-by-two. They swelled the original group making this the biggest voter demonstration to take place in Mississippi. CORE OPENS SOUTHERN OFFICE Over 50 policemen—city, county, state and special—patrolled the streets. To coordinate its stepped-up activities They were equipped with shotguns and teargas. Only two days before, the in the deep south, CORE has opened state legislature had passed a bill for "mutual assistance pacts" among a southern national office in New Or Mississippi cities for pooling "personnel, equipment, supplies and material... leans under the direction of Richard for prevention and alleviation of riots or civil disturbances of the peace." Haley, CORE associate director. The A second bill which was passed permits cities to "restrict the movement office is located at 2211 Dryades St. of the citizens" and a third—aimed at the 90%-effective boycott of 21 Canton "In the first months of operations, stores and three products—provides up to six months in jail and a $500 fine our major concern will be in the states for "any person who shall willfully and maliciously print, circulate or dis of Louisiana and Mississippi because tribute" material designed to "interfere with a lawful trade." most of our personnel and activity is Despite this new legislation and despite Canton's recent history of police currently centered in those two brutality, harassment and arrests, there was no police violence on Freedom states," Haley said. Day and only one arrest—Milton Esco, a youth on probation in a leaflet dis CORE is the first national civil tribution case. rights organization to open a southern But three days later, when some 2,600 Negro students participated in office in a city other than Atlanta. a 1-day boycott protesting substandard conditions in Negro schools, 15 civil New Orleans CORE is the oldest rights workers, including seven CORE staff members, were arrested. All but CORE group in the deep south. (Continued on Page 2) THIS BOSTON SLUM BUILDING FREEDOM DAY (Continued) two were released at the end of the day. It was not the first time that police had arrested leaders of the voter registration drive here. On January 23-24 all but three of the CORE and SNCC staff members as well as some local residents were arrested for dis tributing leaflets in violation of a city ordinance adopted three days earlier. They were in jail for up to a week pending release on appeal. On February 7, Claude Weaver of SNCC and I were arrested for allegedly "intimidating by threats of force and violence" a woman named Charlean Smith by preventing her from taking a job at one of the boycotted stores. Neither Weaver nor I had ever met or heard of Charlean Smith prior to the arrest. Nevertheless, we were found guilty and sentenced to six months in jail and $500 fines. After 11 days in jail, we were released pending appeal. There were other arrests on various charges during the two months preceding Freedom Day as well as several incidents of police brutality. George Raymond, a CORE Task Force worker, was on one occasion pistol- whipped by Constable Herbie Evans and on a second occasion kicked and shoved by Evans who had waylaid him on the outskirts of town. On February 3, two local teenagers were beaten mercilessly by police following a voter registration meeting at Pleasant Green Church. As Freedom Day approached, the voter registration campaign was stepped- up. Daily street meetings and nightly mass meetings were held in Madison and throughout the county to ensure a sizable turnout. "Freedom Day was dramatic proof that the Negro people in rural Mis sissippi want to vote and are willing to register despite harassment and . . . is one of many which was re intimidation," commented Daave Dennis, CORE field secretary and assistant paired as a result of negotiations ini director of the Council of Federated Organizations. tiated by Boston CORE as part of its L. Foote Campbell, the registrar, remains mum on registration statistics. campaign against substandard living But according to a U.S. Justice Department suit, in 1962 only 1.1% of the conditions for Negroes and Puerto county's Negroes were registered as against 97% of the whites. Negroes Ricans. constitute 72% of the county's population.
IN BRIEF SECOND CORE COMMUNITY CITY-WIDE HOTEL PACT FOLLOWS A week-long, Holy Week fast in front CENTER IN MISSISSIPPI MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION of the post office in Chapel Hill, N.C., Last CORElator reported the opening A city-wide fair employment agree was conducted by five civil rights ad of CORE'S first Mississippi commu ment covering major San Francisco vocates including John Dunne, CORE nity center—in Canton. A second one hotels was negotiated at City Hall on Task Force worker and chairman of is now functioning in Meridian under March 7 following a massive, night the Chapel Hill Freedom Committee. the direction of Rita and Mickey long demonstration at the Sheraton- * * * Schwerner, and its educational pro Palace Hotel which ended with the A technique described by San Fran gram is under way. arrest of 135 participants at 4 A.M. cisco CORE Chairman William Brad Voter registration classes are be As part of the contract, the hotel ley as a "shop-in" proved effective in ing held on two evenings a week. A agreed to drop all legal action against a recent action campaign by Bay Area story hour for children from five to the 135 as well as against demonstra CORE groups and the Baptist Minis ten is conducted on Saturday after tors arrested on two previous week ters Union to make Lucky Stores ad noons. Reading and remedial instruc ends. Over 1,000 persons had partici here to its fair employment agree tion is being given periodically pend pated in the Sheraton-Palace demon ment. The technique consists of load ing the establishment of regular stration, picketing on the outside, ing shopping carts with merchandise, classes. A sewing class for girls, pre marching through the lengthy main- having the purchases rung-up by a natal instruction for expectant moth floor corridor and, finally, sitting cashier and then asserting you haven't ers and an arts and crafts program down at the main entrances. Among money to pay. are being planned. the demonstrators were members of The library has proved popular with CORE groups from the entire Bay * * * area. CORE Field Secretary Ronnie Moore, children and teenagers as well as who heads the voter registration adults. It contains 10,000 volumes The new agreement is between the drive in southeastern Louisiana, com many of which were sent here as a Hotel Employers Association, repre pleted a 30-day sentence in East Baton result of the national CORE office senting 33 major hotels and the Rouge parish jail on March 19. The staff's Southern Educational Project United Freedom Movement, with U.S. Supreme Court had declined to (formerly known as Books for Mis which CORE is affiliated, the Baptist review his conviction for violating an sissippi). The shelves were built by Ministers Union and the Ad Hoc Com anti-soundtruck ordinance on Decem three local youths: Marshall and mittee to End Discrimination. Field ber 15, 1961, the day when police David Sims and James Chaney. Al Secretary Chet Duncan was the signer broke up a mass demonstration with though there are no overdue fines, the for CORE. Negotiations with the teargas bombs and police dogs. books are being returned to the lib Sheraton chain had been initiated * * * rary on time. some months ago in Boston by Alan In Los Angeles and in Washington, One of the rooms in the community Gartner, member of CORE'S National D. C, Safeway Stores has adopted a center is set aside for teenagers. It Action Committee. The hotels agreed fair employment policy following ne contains, among other games, a ping- to "bring the total employed of mi gotiations with the CORE groups in pong table built by the same boys who nority group to a level of from 15 to the respective cities. erected the library shelves. 20% of total employees by July 20." lA^ZW'B ^^
FREEDOM DEM'XJRATTC PARTY This paper will tell you some things you might want to know ab«ut the Freedom Democratic Party. If you want: - enough food - more jobs - better schools * - better houses -craved sidewalks «- the right to vote then you should know more about the Freedom Democratic Party. Freedom Registration You have been asked to fill out a Freedom Registration form. Why? Because when you fill out a Freedom Registration Form you are telling people all over the country that you are not satisfied with things in Mississippi. You are saying that you want change in Mississippi. You are saying that you support the Freedom Dem ocratic Party.
Why should you support the Freedom Democratic Party? For almost 100 years now, Mississippi has been run by the REGULAR Democratic Party. The regular Mississippi Democratic Party will not let you vote. They will not let your children go to good schools. They want to keep the Negro "in his place." This is the party of Ross Barnett, James Eastland, George Wallace. Every four years, the regular Democratic Party sends people to the Democratic National Convention. These people go there and tell people from all over the country that YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THINGS IN MISSISSIPPI. THEY SAY THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO VOTE.
Democratic National Convention The Democratic National Convention is a big, important meeting in August. People in the Democratic Party from all over the country come together to talk. This year the Freedom Democratic Party will send Mississippians to this meeting. These people are your friends and neighbors. They will tell the people there that YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THINGS IN MISSISSIPPI. THEY WILL SAY THAT YOU DO WANT TO VOTE. Then things WILL begin to change in Mississippi. But people at the Con vention will not listen to us unless many people here fill out the Freedom Reg istration Forms. Thousands of your brothers and sisters all over the state are filling out these forms. FILL OUT A FREEDOM REGISTRATION FORM TODAY AND GET YOUR FRIENDS Tf FILL THEM CUT. Then Mississippi will be a better place to live in for ; ~»u you and your children. Meetings To pick the people we want to go to the Democratic National Convention fairly, we must have four kinds of meetings here in Mississippi first. Precinct Meetings A precinct is a small community. There are 15 precincts in Madison County. We held a meeting in churches in every precinct. Everybody was welcome. People were chosen to go to the county meeting. County Meeting There is one county meeting in each county in the state. The Madison County meeting was held at Wish Evans' farm near Farm Haven on Saturday, July 25. 700 people came and helped pick people to go to the district and state meetings. District Meetings One district meeting is held in each of the five districts in Mississippi. Madison County is in District k. Our district meeting will be held in Meridian on August 2. The people picked at the county meetings will go to the district meeting. They will choose people to go to theD.N.C. State Convention the people-who went to the district meetings will also go to the state convention. The state convention will be in Jackson on August 6. The people there will pick more people to go to the Democratic Nation al Convention. They will talk about the things they want to say at the Democratic National Convention. 6 FREEDOM DEMOCRATIC PARTY p. 2
Democratic National Convention At the Democratic National Convention we will show the people the thousands of Freedom Registration Forms we have filled out. We will say that the Freedom Democratic Party is the party for all Mississippians — blpck and white. Everybody can come to our meetings. The REGULAR Democratic Party is only for a few white people who have registered to vote under"unfair voting laws. Negroes cannot go to the meetings of the regular Democratic Party.
THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDCM DEMOCRATIC IS FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE FREE
Seating at the Convention This y'ar there will be two groups of people at the Democratic National Convention from Mississippi. One group -- your friends and neighbors -- will be sent by the Freedom Democratic Party. The other group — people who want to keep you "in your place" — will be sent by the Regular Democratic Party. Only one of these groups can be seated at the Convention. The regular Mississippi Democratic Party does not agree with people in the Democratic Party from other parts of the country. The regular Democratic Party in Mississippi does not support Lyndon Johnson or the Civil Rights Las. The Freedom Democratic Party in Mississippi and Democrats from all over the country do support President Johnson and the Civil Rights Bill. President Johnson and Democrats from all over the country will want to seat the Freedom Democratic Party. If we are seated, President Johnson will help see to it that Negroes in Mississippi register to vote because we will help him get elected. When you can vote, you will have: - enough food - more jobs - better schools - better houses - paved sidewalks
What you can do There are things you can do to help bring freedom and justice to Mississippi. - Fill out a Freedom Reglsration Ferm today - Get your freinds to fill tbsm out - Go to rioetings and find out all you can about the Freedom Democratic Pl • v.-)•y . • •••:••.•»•»#-)•«•«:«' - Support the Madison County Movement
Th* Delegates Those are th* people who vere picked at the Madiaoa County meeting to go to the District and state w>.«»tinc,s. Some of tbatn will go to tho Democratic N*vfcion.*\l Con vention ca •euet; ?A in Atlantic City, New Jeri :ey. r: !30/.5S3.
ALTERNATES: J. F. McRee Thomas Johnson Elbert Coleman Sammie L. McDonald J. W. Perry, Jr. Minnie L. Boyd Booker T. Harper Joe Williams (Beat 1) Annie Devine Joe Williams (Beat 2) Otha Williams Revelia Rowser Claude Moore Walter Brown John Goodloe John Kennedy •
PRESS RELEASE
The Madison County Movement. NAACP, PIP, and COFO will conduct a voter registration drive on Tuesday, Mai*oh 30, 1965.
District Judge Harold Cox has ordered registrar L.P. Campbell to allow Negroes to register without being intimidated and *to he as
lenient with them as with the least white applicant•*
fe are going to the courthouse confident in the feeling that the
registrar and all the local officials will comply with the court order.
There is substantial evidence that this has not happened in the past.
Of the spproximate 6,000 whites eligible to vote, over 5,000 are •
registered . We do not feel that it is necessary to wait for the
U.S. government to pass a voting bill in order to enable Negroes to
register and to vote. These are righto guaranteed to all Americans
by the U.S. constitution.
We are confident that the Negroes of Madison County will exercise
their rights without fear of intimidation of any sort. This march is
a continuation of a sustained effort by the Negroes of Madison County
to secure their rightful place in society, and their right to participate
in the democratic processes of government.
The 15th Amendment to the Constitution which guarantees the right
to vote was made a part of the U.S. Constitution 95 years ago today.
How much longer will demonstrations be necessary to secure a right
promised so long ago? r^fu"* f4***M^ 8*#WM £ fi^-h*^<*» ?tg&*'4+ l l/(d*$r»t £* IQr* ..... »/ J ..;A. J, : . « • • j :-;•••'• •:• . . .•••'.. v ..-. • : e . ..;...••• ; ••' i '•• ••••.. •'• ' ' • " • ' "' ' '' ' e - ' . ' '• •' • • .».••.•'•• . < • • \ '• .•••'•"• • COMPLAINT AND AFFIDAVIT FCffc! - INSTRUCTIONS: Fill out -11 the blanks and then: (1) tell wo* you were there, (2)what you did and what happened, (3) state everything in direct quotations when possible, especially what you said and what the officials or Others said. (4) fully describe all i portant people involved, particularly police, and give physical descriptions when naaes are not known, (5)say wliv you think the people did what they did to you end tc ethers, (6) tell what ycu or t.e other people in volved eve done in civil rights, especially in regard to voter registration, (7) bs sure to haave the affidavit notarized when ever possible - if notary public not available, i..ve two witnesses sign. IKTCRTa"T: aake three carbon copies - file one, send the others with the original to COFO, 1017 Lynca St., Jackson, Mississippi. Thank you. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COUNTY OF JtoMh-JWa RA .2 7iafiLz/nL/Jf—^Q&£&L£. AGE Vt ADDRESS jfa.Z^J3*t^-J£l£^-fa*J&A*TLt IJmmmmm^immmmuLL OCCUF-.TIQN __^£i*«c*34^^ F ONE /nmLs Being duly swfrn deposes ana says: to-wit: I a- a citizen cfi-he United States of America, One (day) _ ^ , (;?cnth)J^g^/"- Mx/iUs , («ate)j[2S_i 194f' at --bout 35B5ias^i3's the following eappened: > /irtf I hereby certify that a notary public is not available to me and that the above is true to the best of .ay recollection, this fJEL day Of JjmmmmWjfL , I9^g. j V V SlgnedtTltffa*!^ #CM*^ I Two witnesses;^^a^/^^^7'.^iW/^fc ^ /7y>A^Jl . /^k^au^*/ ' •» CANTON CORE, JANUARY, 19G5 CANTON, MISSISSIPPI GEORGE RAYMOND, DIRECTOR POLITICAL PROGRAMS: THE FREEDOM VOTE The MFDP attempted to get the names of Mrs. Annie Devine, Mrs. Victoria Cray, and Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer and Aaron Henry placed on the official ballot of the state of Mississippi to run for congresswomen and senator on an independent ticket. The attempt failed, so the Negro had no way to express himself about whom he wanted to represent him. So the MFDP decided that they would have a meek freedom election that would take place October 30,31, Nov. 1, 2. In Madison County the representatives of MFDP accepted the freedom vote. They got together and set up polling places all over the county; in the churches, homes, grocery stores, and other places of business. However, the number of votes cast was considerably less than in the previous freedom vote. The majority opinion of the Canton staff on the reasons for this was that not enough political education was involved and the people could not be impressed by the significance of what they were doing because they were given no chance to understand it. In other words, the emphasis was too much on getting as many signatures as possible in almost any way possible. Not only did this prove ineffective on the people, but also demoralizing for the staff. POLITICAL PROGRAMS: THE CONGRESSIONAL CHALLENGE After discussing the congressional challenge with some people from aTOOpe the state and with officials of the FDP, it was decided that we would attempt to get 1000 Negroes to go to Washington the day the 89th Congress opened, when, Mrs. Devine of the 4th Congressional District, Mrs. Finnic Lou Hamer, Mrs. Victoria Gray of the 5th Congressional District would challenge the five congress men elected in Mississippi. In deciding this it was said that we would go back into our local communities and explain the challenge to the people, and attempt to get them to raise their own money and means of transportation. The program was explained to the people and within the three month period the people of Madison County raised enough money to rent a bus for $450 (but the bus broke down before it got out of the state). There was enough money left over for gas expenses. About fifty people went from Madison County, Mississippi. Depositions are also a part of the congressional challenge, and while this is being written lawyers are busy talking to witnesses who will give open testimony in relationship to being denied the right to vote, police brutality, etc. These people will testify in support of the three FDP candidates. This testimony will be given Jan. 25, 1962. POLITICAL PROGRAMS: community organization The staff in Madison County are in the process of a continuous organisa tional program. The method they are using is setting up house meetings, church meetings, precinct meetings, etc, with the sole purpose of getting people to talk about local problems, their problems, and anything they would like to tnlk about in hopes that somehow they can see that their various problems ara somewhat related and that usually the solutions can be obtained with similar methods. We are really trying to get a program developed with the comnn.i-.iity saying exactly what it will be. This will provide them with the feeling oi: "i planned thlc and I'm going to work to see whether this pxogroa. succeeds or fcii. '.'ou see, we feel from tal!d.ng to the CANTON CORE — PAGE 2 local people and to the staff that people are tired of people telling theiu what to do, because this has happened all their life. We feel that in Madison County at this point we must be advisory without a premade program. FEDERAL PROGRAMS; THE ASCS ELECTIONS In November Federal Programs in Canton became chiefly concerned with preparations for the ASCS elections. These preparations were Initially thwarted by transportation limitations. The whole job of getting Negro candidates' names on the ballots was muffed because staff workers were unable to attend the meetings at which candidates' petitions were to have been drawn up. Finally* though, cars were rented, and as the December 3 election date drew nearer the entire Canton staff began to function with unprecedented coordination and sense of direction. Staff workers moved into each of the 8 communities in Madison County (community boundaries were drawn by the ASCS) and began organizing for the campaign. The method of organization followed these lines: the staff worker contacted a few community leaders and spent a good deal of time making sure that they understood the voting procedure (which involved write-ins), the nature of the ASCS and the gains that a victory in the election could mean. The community leaders in turn began to organize canvassing teams among their neighbors to spread the word about the election and to get people committed to going to the polls Dec. 3. Staff workers met frequently with these canvass ing teams and also attended other meetings about the election which community leaders called. The staff tried in most cases to act purely as resource persons. The results of this approach are hard to measure. In the first hours of election day the Negro voter turnout looked more promising than the staff had expected in most communities. However by the time the polls closed - after 4 arrests, several physical threats, one injury and innumerable instances of voters being deprived of their full voting rights — the odds had turned against the Negroes except in one community where a Negro committee chairman was elected by a slender margin. Since then various avenues of protest have been tried: we filed a report of the physical intimidation and violence with the Justice Department and another with the Civil Rights Commission. About 15 voters complained on their own to the state ASCS committee and about 1 had hearings before that committee; the results of the hearing were unfavorable. However thoee who did not have hearings received word that hearings were unnecessary because their votes had been investigated and determined valid after all. We also spent considerable time and some postage communicating the USDA, inquiring about formal channels of complaint. It seems, however, that there are no precedents for challenging an ASCS election, and we were left hanging in some confusion. We supported an abortive program, originating in the Jackson COFO office, to send a delegation of farmers to Secretary of Agriculture Freeman immediately. Our delegate was ready to go, suit case literally in hand, when Jackson called to say the trip had been cancelled; other counties had not come through. About 3 weeks ago USDA investigators finally appeared. They have been supplied with a thick folder off affidavits and reports (affidavits, incidentally, are still coming in) and through them George Raymond drafted an official complaint, copies cf which, with a covering letter, are circulating nil over the United States, hopefully increasing Mr. Freeman's mail-intake. t CANTCN CORE — P.-GE 3 FEDERAL PROGRAMS: THE FARMERS LEAGUE AND MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE At present there is no one in Canton carrying ou federal program war. This is unfortunate not only because of all the untapped potential in this area, but also because the promising products of past work are being neglected. The most serious neglect is of the Farmers League and the Madison County Coop. The first, which has been the most dynamic local organization Madison County Negroes have ever seen, is slowly settling into stagnation; the second is on the verge of losing its charter for want of a business manager or someone with a lot of time to spend and a lot of experience and technical knowledge to back him up. WELFARE Madison County periodically receives large shipments of clothing and food from northern supporters. These are supplemented, too, by small boxes which frequently come in the mail from various individuals. Occasionally, too, the county receives part of the shipments which are sent into Jackson COFO. There is no question about the need which such supplies can partially fill. But there is an overwhelming question about how they should be distributed. The Canton staff unanimously agrees that distribution from here on out must be the responsibility of the local community, not only because there are insufficient staff workers and facilities to handle it, but also because the Freedom House should not become a symbol of do-gooder-give-aways. We have begun conversations with local people and are planning a meeting in the immediate future to formulate a county-wide welfare program. We anticipate that several large problems will develop: one will concern the places of storage and distribution, none of which the staff wants in the vicinity of Freedom House; another, very touchy one will concern the merits and disadvantages of using clothing and food to "encourage" people to take part in the movement. Whatever the solutions and final decisions, this is a pressing issue which the staff is determined to see resolved soon. VOTER REGISTRATION No organized approach to voter registration has been tried since the end of the summer project. This is mostly because energies have been channelled into the MFDP programs, the ASC elections, and, most recently, the staff's work on grass roots community organization. In one community where a staff worker has been living for about a month, holding small "tea parties", discussions with the local people a locally-initiated, locally-planned voter registration campaign is taking shape: nothing dramatic, no freedom days (the people have explicitly vetoed them, in fact), just a few people a week going to the Court House and perhaps (this is still in the discussion stage) the setting up of preparatory workshops. Here, the Canton staff believes, is an example (and there are others) of how the local people can sense and meet their own needs in their own ways, fully understanding what they're about and why. it's important — a picture far preferable to that of staff workers telling them what is good for them and leading them through the paces without even giving them a chance to grasp the nature and significance of what is happening. CANTON CORE-PAGE 4 INCIDENT REPORT Except around ASCS election time the frequency and degree of harassment have dropped off considerably. Martha Wright did spend a day in jail during the freedom vote. She was picked up for "distributing leaflets without a permit," but her case was dismissed on the grounds that it was her first offense (interesting, since the prosecuting attorney knew it to be her 2nd offense -- she has a trial in the federal courts on the same charge from this summer). Around the same time Bill Forsyttjwas given a traffic ticket for illegal parking when his jeep stalled on him; he pleaded to guilty, was his own defense, and won the case I The same day George Raymond was jailed for interfering with an officer when he pulled up to see what kind of trouble 3111 was having. His case has been removed to federal court. Just before the ASCS elections a local canvasser, Mr. Cleophus Luckett, was shot at from a passing car while walking down a country road. He was un harmed. Also, Tom Ramsay, who was coordinating the elections, received 2 illegal traffic tickets in the week before the election. In one instance police tailed him out of town to charge him with speeding, even though he was driving 5 milet> under the limit. Then, on election day, 4 persons were arrested on charges of "disturbing the peace in a public place," disobeying a police officer," and "trespassing." Three cases have now been removed to federal courts. The fourth, George Raymonds, was tried in absentia found guilty, fined $109. He has now appealed the case. Also on December 3 Marv Rich bad his nose broken by a small mob at one of the polling places. Rartiss Crawford was threatened at gun point at another; Eric Orr was hit in the face at another; Earnest Chanes received threats at the polling place where he worked, but they didn't marerialize. Also, at leat one voter was threatened with arrest if he voted for the Negro candidate. Since the election a bullet has been fired into the home of another of the chief canvassers, Mr. Welton Stokes, and a phone call to Freedom House reporting the beating of the successful Negro candidate was made, but it turned out to be a hoax. THE COMMUNITY CENTER The Community Center in Canton is closed and has been closed for about two months. The staff met and felt that it was best to close the center. At that time, Martha Wright and Jo Ann Goiman were working there daily. Some of the problems they encountered were the unruliness of the young people, who are the determining factor of whether the center succeeds or fails. Through long staff meetings and discussions with local people and staff people, it was a concensus that the only way the community center would succeed and progress in Canton would be through the people themselves not only showing a desire for it, but also doing most of the work in constructing and building it. And this has not been the case in Canton. The center was merely a place where they could come and have dances and steal what they could. However, there were a few kids who used the library effectively. A few young people and several adult community leaders are presently discussing what should be done next. The staff is hoping that their decision will call for much more community involve ment. f/#5,>Joty-efJ SKTURpW IU^ t-**^0 9 ^ f •*fsj W AOE N PA .mt- •<•• -J °>IA f-: afc A Vj 10: £0 *o 11:00 a.m. Registration . •. c •• t * 11:00 a.m . VIORNI NG SESSION BEGINS I . So ng-f est 2. Invocation by Rev. P. F. Parker,; • / 3. Wei coma by Claude Moore, Executw^ 'Oemm i ttoe member, Madison County Freedom Temocratic Party Introduction of platform guests .A\: 30 a.m. to REVIEW OF COUNTY ACTIVITIES 12:30 p.m. 1. Sewing Cooperative - mss Maggic Douglas 2. . Project Hcadstart Style Show: Headstart pupils modeling Sewing Coop. . products^ 3. Farmers' League and Coop. Otha Williams hi- Public facilities testing C. 0. Chinn and C. 0. Chinn, Jr. 5. Surplus Foods Mrs. Lizzie Baldwin v School Desegregation f i- Rev. Rims Barber, Tommy Manoff > •.., 7. ASCS Election Gable Davis \ N .A ' ,8. Freedom Schools Presentations by teachers and students 10. Voter Registration Milton Pickett N 11. The Tasks Ahead George Raymond 12:30 p \ m A to LUNCH and BE T MEETINGS 1:30 p.m. Meet with people from your beat for lunch and discussion o activities session. At this time additions may be made to precinct resolutions. This is the time to talk about FDP organization and about candidates for County offices & committees AGENDA, CONTINUED 1:40 AFTERNOON SESSION BEGINS Freedom Songs 1:45 PRECINCT REPORTS, RECOMMEND :ONS, to 1. Beat 1 precincts 3*00 2. Beat 2 precincts 3. Beat 3 precincts 4. Beat 4 precincts 5. Beat 5 precincts Summary and discussion of precinct reports, recommendations, and resolutions ADOPTION OF COUNTY .PROGRAM FOR NEXT-THREE (3) MONTHS. v r*»\ \ • • . 3:15 \ to NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF COUNTY OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES h'-QO V GOOSING ADDRESS §Y COUNTY -CHAIRMA^ FOR 1965-13,66 4:00~ s ! ; V SINGING J V \ • • - ' L 4:15- BENEDICTION ADJOURNMENT -P'! ... Return to your"Beat area (marked by signs on trees) after the morning session. .1.Lunch: Food and drinks are available in large or small amounts Please use the garbage boxes near the trees. ...Please have all reports, recommendations, and resolutions written and ready to pass to the clerk when read. If possible, volunteer typists will be available. ...Only delegates may vote, but anyone eligible for FDP membership is more than welcome to join in discussions and contribute ideas and suggestions. WHY WE MUST HAVE A . . MADISON COUNTY CRASH VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE Look at these figures: People of Voting Age Number Registered to Vote WHITE 5,600 6,200 K«OH- 110,300 600 WHITE PROPOSED G^AL: 9,000 new voters in 90 days This will take all of us talking to our friends, neighbors, relatives all over Madison County. So let's make SVFRY DAY A FREEDOM Ml at the Canton Courthou se You are urged to attend the County meeting so that you will have a voice in planning (jur W__A_i H_j_ N G T O. H • TJM_P FDP IS YOUR ORGANIZATION. COME AND HELP ELECT COUNTY OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES. £/*6TJfe^f7 /WJJL-QA, I SCHOOL DESEGREGATION - 1965 - CANTON, MISSISSIPPI The plan for Canton School District was published in the Madison County Herald on August 12, 19, and 26, The notice did not give th© dates and places of registration* On August 19, a front page news story told the times and places of registration,, However| this paper is not generally read bv Negroes* and many of them did not know about registration until we told them* They were informed by canvas teams made up of civil rights workers and local people interested in better education., The dates for application for registration were August 27 for first graders and August 28 for transfer studentsa Both days had a five hour period for application, from 7AM to noonn Actual registration of those that applied was on September 1 for first graders and September 7 for transfer students. No Negroes could register for desegregated schools unless they had applied on the dates specified. No written notice was sent to the parents of students eligible for transfer* The evening before application day, August 26, there was a Klan rally just north of Canton on Highway 510 There were also anonymous calls concerning Klan activities,. This set the Negro community on edge. The next day, only five people applied at the white school, although forty-seven had signed up with representa tives of the Madison County Movement0 Most of those not going t* the schools said that they were afraid, but were vague about what they were afraid of. At the schoos, a man watched the procedings from his car (liscense #45B-519)<. /To the best of my knowledge he had no official business there^ He had threatened me with violence on one previous occasion* August 22, and he was present on future occasions, August 2# and September*10. That evening there were more anonymous calls, and people in the Negro community kept all-night watch* On August 239 some fourteen persons went to Canton Elementary School to apply for transfer for their children and four went to Canton High School,. This was out of about SO that had previously indicated a desire to send their children to these schools. Between then and September 1, two people withdrew because of rumors in the Negro community and'misleading informa tion about tuition charges,, (Tuition for children not living with their parents is 240 dollars per year, which is about one hundred dollars more than the average per pupil cost for Negroes',) It is our contention that the plan submitted, a so-called "freedom of choice" plan, offers no real freedom of choice to parents because the community atmosphere prevents people from being truly free. It is an atmosphere in which no real violence #r overt threat is needed to set off a wave of feare People be lieve that they will be harmed, or that their children will be< harmed, or that they will lose their jobs, because others have been bombed and lost jobs over the last two years. It is there fore the unusual person who finds the courage to register his child. This is evidenced by the kind of fear that T read on the faces of both those who refused to go to face the white officials for registration, and those who got up the courage despite their fears. It is also evidenced by the type of questioning Mrs- 9usie Williams faced when she went to apply to register^ Moreover it shows that white people can subtly frighten Negroes* This was accomplished by the holding of the Klan rally and the arrests of _. Negra pickets in downtown Canton,, This was coupled-with a general transportation for the two ladies. The workers were ordered away from the area of the school by Sheriff's officers, and forced to drive around while the people were inside. Delaying tactics were used so that the resistration procedure took about two and one-half hours, not allowing the workers to return for others. Among the others waiting for rides to the schools, were two of the plaintifs in the court case for desegregating the Madison County Schools., Irs. Anderson and Mrs. George would still like to register theri children for desegregated, schools. Buses were provided for students going to segregated schools for registration, but there were no buses taking Negroes to formerly all-white schools for registration. Wo have also been informed by the Supcrentend^nt of Schools, Mr. Robert Cox, that the schools will not provide buses for certain of the students. On the eve of the first day of school, three shots were fired into the homeof one of the students. It has also been brought to our attention that another Sheriff's officer, Fr, Billy Noble, drove to the home of people registered for Farmhaven School and told the children that their house would be bombed. This seems to be a calculrted attempt on the part of both school and law officers to keep any Negroes from attending Farmhaven, In Flora, two people registered their children for second and third grades. These people have since been intimidated by law officers* One of these, Mrs, Wiggings, wns fired from her job. On the dav of registration, the worker who was assisting these people (Mr,, William Forsythe) w.^s run off the area of the schools, and told to leave town bv Sheriff's officer Mr. Lee Chillers. All these events have been recorded in affidavit form by the persons involved. These forms are in the possession of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc., Jackson. All incidents have been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department. We have seen no government action* and presume that this means that the government supports those who have attempted to prevent desegregation of the schools* We believe that these events show a pattern of discrimination in violation of the court order to desegregate schools in Madison County. We hope that some action can be taken by either the Department of Health, Education and Welfare or the Justice Department to bring about a more reasonable solution to our 1 problem of unequal education. The work on this project was done bv local representatives of CORE and MFDP. Submitted by Reverend Rims Barber, Delta Ministry. mistrust of public officials that the Negro had—no^ hand in electing Thus, there is no freedon of choice. There was also discrimination made—or delating tactics. The school officials picked at- details. On September 1, I took Albert Lee Williams to Canton Elementary Schoolf to complete his regis tration. His.mother was unable to TO with him/so his ten year old sister accompanied him (which is common!'/ done in the Negro schools). They were told tc gBlr-^^Js^p^rent to fill out some forms and bring his birth certificate ^which hacT^een presented on August 27 during the application to register process)* This was done, and they then asked that the boy go and complete one of his shots, missing from his health record,.. Shots are only given at the Madison County Health Center on ondays and Fridays, so the registration could not be completed.. On Friday we went to the Health Center to get the shot, and will try to complete his registration on the first day of school, We know that applications were accepted in Negro schools without parents going to the school, and that applications were scct^ eecn though some detail was not completed,. We also know tMut the ivegro schools registered children of all ages on eli davs, althougn only on special days for desegregated schools,, We also note that buses picked up Negro first graders and took then to Negro schools for registration; shite buses picked up white students end took them to white schools for registratio;e„ No bus picked up first graders for registration, even though they had apnlied to resiter, if they v.-ere Negroes going to white schools. Two people v/ere unable to get their children to school for registration for this reason. The Superentendant of Schools, Mr„ Fort en berry, in formed us that students resisterin<* late will be assigned to schools by the school board on a racial basis* This has 1® p- pened as two people attempted to register their cnildren on the first day of classes<, They v/ere assigned to Negro school. This is not in the spirit of the school desegregation plan which states: "that segregation is ended in grades 1,2,3. and 12 as of September, 1965i There are now nine students in Canton Elememtary and two in Canton High School., The two girls in Canton High School are forced to cat lunch in a segregated separate room? and have had other pressures put on them, v/hich make it difficlut to concentrate on their education, Threatening phone call's to their homes are a daily occurance,, We the undersign 3d, employees of Canton Casket Company, do petition tne management to reinstate Mr. Henry Turner with tne full rignts and priviiedges of an employee. We also object to working under anyone other than a duly appointed forman (namexy nar. W. A. Johnson and Mr. Exlion Bankhead). We tnerefore send our representatives (Mr. Ellion Bankhea d, Mrs. Jane Wasnington, and Mr. Henry Turner) to negotiate a settlement of $his dispute. Until it is settl ed, we will remain outside of the plant. Mr. Henry Turner nas *urktd at tne Canton Casket Company for tne list six years. He has worked et 8x1 tne operaLions in the making of caskets. On Leytember ko, xd65 Mr, TurrKr AJ.S told by a *nite worker, Jack Mott, to do • job other th: n the one hi a iorrr.n n? • • &ft£) w M *. ^i mooting was called horo t«4ay. by you, tfco oltl****** Wftdiaon County, to ronow your faith aa* eVdic***e*r.-in-*k-» -fiS"J_ . for c(Ui*l right* in Mia aisoippi an4 ipi the nation. It-was--caXLoo to »oview our aobOCTPliahrrwnha ano fai.turea, but oven, more to look te tho futuro, not to soo what it holds for us, but to see how we sat bo sure it holds what wo want- to, mako plana that will dofcer- min© how w$ QQXL win the fight, • • . „Th© tim9 has come, as waekacr. papora have headlined* for **** oad of th© Suramop Project \ moo* of the volunteers havo already left for tholr collogoa and &,&«* tnjroughout tho foorth. It is hard tj. estimate what thoir prosonee and work have doae in the state. fft0 Certainly, it has wokon tho conscience of tho nation to t$d Ju that all men are not yet oqual- t-.lmost two hundred y»«u-s after the DQclaratl^n o.*'Independence was oignod, esd ci»* hundred years after the signing of i.v* *5»£iAlpe.tiOQ Proolamation, The students, lawyers, doetora, ministeri, and teachers who worked here this summer and saw ^ for the first tlm* what life in a Closed Society was like cannot forget w hat thoy experienced. The beatings, burnings, murders, and mlauso of the law ky its officers end tho disregard for common human decency are not easy to ignore. The summer workers, their parents and their friends have exposed somo portion of the festerirr, sero of racism end bigotry. They have given some children a tasta and an appetite for the edueation of which they have been deprived; and have JLearned themselves what they had not been taught in tUeir-.^ Northern 'liberal" schools, Ag we examine the accomplishments of tho summer by both volun- — tecrs and you tho citizens of Madison County, we find many things. The klaekout was applied to the point of forcing seme businesses $ut of operation and making tho merehants aware of the power of tho fiogr© dollar. The knowledge of inferior education in segregated, under-equipped, under-staffed schools was molded into 8 plan of action being discussed in the form of statewide and local school beyeotts. The grievances concerning jobs and especially farming gt-vo birth to the Madison County farmer's Association, tho first auoh organization formed in the state. The need for a place for diaousaien and action-planning as well as recroation gave birth to the Community Centers. The hunger for information and discussio* of tfce movement resulted in several Freedom Schools. -Lhe voter registration and political oduoation work that was done led to -- ^ Madison County's participation in the Convention Challenge. But it is not o»r purpose to look at what has keen dene. The^ plans for the future require sacrifice end hard work on the part oi •* all involved in tho movement^. A8 thewnaln emphasis will be on political programs, most of the planning and aetion will be done in this area with plans to strengthen the eounty through the precj.net level. It is important that leaders emerge in each precinct to handle the voter and Freedom registration work, ^resent plans ior the continuance of the Freedom School program include development Of a rcving team of-teachers which will visit various communities ^n the eveniRgs throughout the week. The Community Centers will ' continue with main emphasis on developing them as centers for the political programs. The Federal Programs will continue on an expanded seale; they will bring the benefits of already-establishe* programa to all eitizens of Madisen County. It is now for you, the citizeas of Madison County; with the help of these of ua that are still here, t* show the people of this state that this was only tho beginning. Ca» we ke content with things e.. thoy are, as. long as Mr. Campbell is the county registrar, &hsr >i i Evana is In office, and the school board serves the Illegal purpose* f tjja V*hH'j Citizens1 Council7 •' ffYVO-^^^^'»\ • • HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - CANTON Name of Respondent: Address: Age:. Phone Number We are trying to get an idea of the average financial situation of the Negro households in Canton. First of all, would you name each member of this household and tell me what relation or position he holds in the family. Name Relationship 1. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. 6.. 7.. 8.. 9. 10,. 11.. 12. (Circle last number filled in.) Now we would liko to know some information about those members of this household who are presently employed, either fail-time or part-time. Would you name these and then I'll ask a couple of questions about each. Then do the same for each member, other than students and children, who arc unemployed. Categories for Occupations Race of Employer a. Professional a. White b. Administrative b. Negro c. Skilled c. Other d. Somi-3killed d. Independent or Self-employed e. Unskilled f. Farming ' K-OPLOYED Employ Who Last Grade (Job Title) Category er ' s (Number) Completed Occupation Industr" (Letter I Income Race JL 2. _L_. I .$_.._. re 1Circle ir.£ 1". nuuber MilledU n.. ) Tnt.rl I-ncoiee: Categories of reasons for unemployment: UIICELIPLOYEI 1 A. Voluntary Who B. Unable Has he ever If so, last If so, C (Number) had a job? date employed? Job Title Reason for « Lookin- for i i Unemployment J0*3 \ . 1. Y N * Y S X -4. V 7" i 5. Y K * The following questions are concerned with those who are receiving any type of welfare payments ~ including caoogoricy/i aid, social security* unemploynor.t. componsation. Would you nauo ar.v 'n your household on welfare and answer the questions about e-ACh cne. Oategpriof: of Aid (W) WVM" faro (?LX) Aid to Dependent Children (A£) Aid to the Blind 'MM; Aid to the Disabled OA) Old Age Assistance Social Security IS I Unemployment Compensation Who What kind How much are you How long have (Number) of aid? receiving for each kind? you been on? 1. 2.. 3.. 4. (Circle last number filled in.) Total Besides wages and welfare payments, aro there any other contributing sources of income to the household? Y_ N If so, what?_ If so, how much? (Total income from all sources Wo are also interested in finding out what effects, if any, participa tion in tho civil rights work has had or. the financial status of the Negroes. Have any members of this household participated in any aspects of the COFO Mississippi Summer Project? Y. N If so, in what areas? (Check v/hich and who) Active in COFO itself Registering to voto_ Sending children to .freedom school. Sending children to white school Taking in summer volunteers Going to mass meetings. Member of organization working with CC'M'O, Officer in such organization •7 (The following categories will be uaod for the ne-'xt questions) I. A. Legitimate reason B. No roa&cn or unlikely reason C. Ci7ii rights participation II. A. Civil rights participation B. Discrimination C. Other Have any members of this household been discharged from a job during tho pact. '..he,ee months? N If so: (I) (II) Who What was given Do you believe If not, what 1 • you 1^-MMe.sr.l as the reason? this was reason? believe was reason? 1.. Y: N 2. Y N 3. Y N (Circle last number filled inT) Have any members gotten jobs during the past three months? * Y N_. If so, how many? . Has any member of this household had has wages cut during the past throe mouths? Y N If so: (I) (II) Who How much? What was Do you If not, what do you (Number) given as beliove this bellove was reason? reason? was reason? » ' I 1. Y N 2. Y 3. Y Has any member had a raise in wages durirg the past three months? I Y N If so, how much? fi \ (Contir.v.c ueing categories I and II fro::: e.e page for the next question. j Hs».vc any mothers been cut down or cut off Jror. i .'Ifarc payments during tho pact three months? Y N If so: ' (I) (II) Who t What How What Do you If not, what do you (Number") M.nd of much given as believe bolievo v/as reason? Welfare loss? reason? this? \r T 7 1. -L. * 2. Y N 3, Y N (Circlo Ma.e'c number filled in.) Tote.;, aeeeeet of loss Have any members boen put on welfare In the past three months? If so: Whc M-.-\>. What Kind of Welfare? Fow much? l. 2. 3« _ r Total (Circle- last number filled in.) In your opinion, has your household income had a Net increase during the last three months? Y N_ Net decrease during the last three months? Y N. We have heard that welfare payments are r.t luring cotton picking soasor, 'co force the Negroes to pick cote. *-. Has .ai,y membor of this household had a w y :' :r 3 cut since cotton pickino g seas )n tnta year? -rY N_ Previous yea *' K X If so. did that person pick cotton becauuo ef the welfare cut? Y N If so, does the income from this cause a Net increase in income? Y N Net decrease in inane? Y N If not, do they pick cotton anyway? Y N If they do pick cotton, how much do they usually make per week? MADISO N COUNTY fROJ b)CT 1. Continuing work with students and their parent . concerning their participation in desegregated schools. Parents meetings hsve been established for those involved in the grade school. These meet every two weeks. Ve will also hold individual conferences concerning tne work of cnildren, as some of tnem are having difficulty. Ve are attempting to establisn tutoring sessions for tnose in High School. We serve as a liason between the people and tne lawyers. 2. Community and County wide work on A.S.C. election. Our first county wide meeting is set for Sept. 25, ?nd /ill set into motion a program of estabiisning regular Community meetings. Candidates will need to be nominated by Nov. 1. A thorough canvassing of the areas will be done between then and the December election. Tne balloting wixl be oy mail, so workshops will be held to assist pepople to understana tne procedures. Last minute canvassingwill be done to see that as many baxlots will be mailed as possible. o. Follow up on pich.etting and' negotions with merchants. Pikets were present at Canton stores for three or four weeks this summer. Negotiations were neid with merchantson Sept. 8. Tne mercnants agreed to nire Negroes, and a two week period was set for application. Each store needs to be surveyed to see if it complied wita tne negotiated terms, and steps will have to be taken wita tnose that lid not. 4. Maintain interest in MFDP as a political voice for the people. Since the cnalienge was defeated, we will have to generate new %$f, interest, and snow tnat tne FDP is a viable political instrument for the resolution of local, state and national problems. The major part of tnis work will be handled by Mr. Anne Devine. 6. Gain support to fignt the tuition law. A court case has oeen instigated to invalidate the new Miss. tuitio n law. We nave assisted in this by the gathering of affidavits, we wixx continue to assist in any legal work necessary, =nd .ill try to initiate political protests around this issue. There are nundreds of people in tnis county affected. 7. I nvestigate welfare procedures. We nave estabxisned a local committee to provide the community witn information and support for getting a fair administration of welfare. Tnis committee will try to educate people by disceaiinating information concerning tne various programs. Tney will also try to assist people in individual cases, doing such tilings as making ap^e als to tne state board. • • 9. Survey tne STAR program as it developes in Canton. After reading tneir proposal to the 0E0, there is some doubt as to its deveiopement in the practical sphere. We are adopting a wait and see posture, before deciding how to react to this program. 10. Continue work on public accomodations and facilities. Most of tne facilities and accomodations nave been tested, but not all nave compxied. ,Ve will continue to test these facilities until not only legal compliance, but general acceptance and safety is ecneived. 11. Assist people as individual discriminati-on and intimidation arises. 12. Assist Madison County Sewing Firm as needed. Tne sewing firm needs help in marketing and in settling problems of management. We tnink that it will take about a year of operatio n, before it is reaxiy on its feet. 1.3. Assist nearby counties a s requested. Tne Canton office nas become a clearing house for information and personnel for Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Leake Counties. We at times raise bail for them, make communications for them, and provide them with a place to cail nome (with run ing water). Madison County Staff: CO. Chinn, Sr. Mrs. Anne- Devine Rev. Rims Barber Rick Saling (Vaixey View,) Outline of the MARCH ON CANTOH li. Reason Why? 2. Content 3* Deroands U» Anticipated Pesult (National, Leal, Stated* Jf~ B# 1. Nonviolence Z Pollee 3 Tranepafcios - -f li# Emercency Faeilitea 5» Publicity Committee 6# Contact of Offleally —-f^ f# necurffraent of Personal -j- 3, Planning Conmlttaa f 9. 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