Thurgood Marshall Calls for Closer Coordination Between Civil Rights Organizations

    "PRESS RELEASE 

NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND 
10 COLUMBUS CIRCLE + NEW YORK 19,N.Y. © JUdson 6-8397 

DR. ALLAN KNIGHT CHALMERS oa THURGOOD MARSHALL 
President Director-Counsel 

June 23, 1961 

THURGOOD MARSHALL CALLS FOR CLOSER COORDINATION 
BETWEEN CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIATIONS 

NEW YORK. -- Thurgood Marshall called for closer coordination 

between groups now active in the civil rights field, lest they injure 

their common purpose with "duplication, wasted effort, and inter- 

organizational rivalries." 

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund boss was speaking 

on Thursday to an interracial audience, including many recent Freedom 

Riders, at the 18th Annual Race Relations Institute at Fisk University 

in Nashville, Tenn. 

Marshall praised the Freedom Rides, stating that "the demonstra- 

tions helped expose the evils of segregation in American society." 

He called the attack on segregation in interstate travel the most 

important new development in the civil rights battle. 

He pointed out, however, that in Jackson, Miss., where most of 

the freedom ride activity was centered, 5 organizations were operating 

with little coordination or contact between them. He warned that 

such unorganized activity can hurt the civil rights battle, "for 

southern state attorneys general are meeting regularly, coordinating 

their activities, and have plenty of money. My good sense tells me," 

he said, "that when unorganized demonstrations meet organized opposi- 

tion, look out." 

Marshall offered the services of the Legal Defense Fund for any 

Freedom Rider convicted in the recent demonstrations, pointing out 

that his lawyers had filed federal suits in Montgomery, Ala. and 

Jackson, Miss., asking the District Court to enjoin local officials 

from enforcing segregation of interstate and intrastate travel. 

After Marshall's speech, he asked for suggestions from the floor 

concerning greater efforts toward coordination, pointing out that his 

remarks should not be construed to indicate opposition to any group, 



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"for there is room in the field for everyone, as long as they are 

working toward the same goal." 

Several of the Freedom Riders, including John Lewis, who recently 

were released from jail in Jackson, Miss., indicated that there was 

confusion involved in the legal advice they had received in Jackson. 

"If you need help, here is my telephone number," Marshall stated 

as the audience roared. 

"Many of the students feel that the older organizations seek to 

control their efforts," the Legal Defense Fund chief pointed out. "We 

don't wish to control the efforts of any student group. Remove this 

fear from your mind. We only want to help. But we must have coordi- 

nation to be effective." 

In an evening session, Marshall reviewed the accomplishments of 

the Legal Defense Fund during the last year. He said that "though 

I am not frustrated, I am by no means satisfied." 

He pointed out that massive resistance has been buried but it has 

been replaced by token compliance. As illustration, he cited the 

integration of 4 out of 55,000 Negro children in public schools in 

New Orleans. "And this is typical," he said. 

"The good people in this country are buying gradualism," he said, 

"and some Negroes are buying it, too. The good people must represent 

the conscience of this country, and Negroes must make the move toward 

desegregation. Negroes aren't doing this. If they don't, most peo- 

ple in this country will think Negroes don't want their constitutional 

rights." 

As for recent charges of " aggravation and provocation" against 

the Freedom Riders, Marshall stated that "if you don't push, what 

happens? You're just as bad off as before, unless you can prove that 

by doing nothing you can control the other side." 

"We just can't sit on the sidelines and cheer the Freedom Riders," 

he stated, "We must participate ourselves; if not in the freedom rides, 

in some other activity which helps break down racial segregation." 

"What do Negroes want? he asked, "They want all their constitu- 

tional rights -- and now." 

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