NAACP Legal Defense Fund Integrates 56 Fla. Parks
Press Release
September 23, 1964

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Press Releases, Volume 1. NAACP Legal Defense Fund Integrates 56 Fla. Parks, 1964. c3906b48-b592-ee11-be37-00224827e97b. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/486a3660-b138-49fe-8fe3-3ff867a13418/naacp-legal-defense-fund-integrates-56-fla-parks. Accessed May 20, 2025.
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10 Columbus Circle New York, N.Y. 10019 JUdson 6-8397 NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund PRESS RELEASE President Dr. Allan Knight Chalmers Director-Counsel FOR RELEASE Jack Greenberg WEDNESDAY Associate Counsel September 23, 1964 Constance Baker Motley NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. INTEGRATES 56 FLA. PARKS TALLAHASSEE---The Florida State Board of Parks was asked to publicize its new policy of non-discrimination this week in U.S. District Court by attorneys of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This request followed on heels of a sweeping Legal Defense Fund victory opening Florida's 56 public parks and recreational areas to Negro citizens. In addition, the District Court ruled that Florida must cease publication and distribution of informational materials specifying jim crow parks and areas and to remove "white" and "colored" signs near the parks. Negro exclusion from the majority of Florida's public parks, long m irritant, came to widespread attention during May of 1963 when Dr. Clarence Owens and W.O. Mack, accompanied by their families, sought use of Killearn Gardens Park, near Tallahassee. Park employees refused admission to the Negro families and Dr. Owens was threatened with arrest. Messers Owens and Mack are members of the faculty at Florida A & M University. They were subsequently allowed use of the park but it was then closed one month ahead of schedule so as to thwart de- segregation. ’ This current case, under direction of Earl M, Johnson, the Fund's chief attorney in Florida, has three plaintiffs. They are Rutledge Pearson, president of the NAACP's Florida State Con- ference of Branches, Robert W. Saunders, the Association's Florida field secretary and Quillie L. Jones, a private citizen. Attorney Johnson is joined by Howard M, Dixon of Miami and Jack Greenberg, Constance Baker Motley and Leroy D, Clark of the Fund's New York City headquarters. DeVore, Jr:, Director of Public Information—Night Number 212 Riverside 9-8487 ALA. ASKS COURT TO ALLOW ANTI CIVIL RIGHTS WEAPON Grew From Arrest of Mrs, Dick Gregory and Others MONTGOMERY---Alabama this week asked its highest court to permit continued use of the peace bond as an anti civil rights demon- stration weapon, The state's request for a rehearing grew out of the arrest of Mrs. Dick Gregory and John Lewis, according to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, This weapon, currently being sought by Alabama authorities, is the excessive peace bond accompanied by denial of the right to demonstrate, ‘a It has been specifically aimed at leaders of Negro demon- strations. Mrs, Gregory and Lewis, chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and several others were arrested in Selma, Ala. during September, 1963 for leading demonstrations aimed at opening voter registration privileges to Negroes. They are being represented by Attorneys Norman Amaker, New York City; Peter Hall, Birmingham; and, James Chestnut, Jr.--- all of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Each of the defendants in this action was required to post a@ peace bond of $1,000 and to “keep the peace" (no further demon- strations) for 12 months from date of their conviction. Legal Defense Fund attorneys immediately filed to secure their release since none had committed any offense “against the person or property of another person" as required by Alabama Law. The local circuit court ruled against the ae Legal Defense Fund attorneys then appealed to the Alabama Court of Appeals which reversed the peace bond convictions, The higher court agreed with the Legal Defense Fund's argument that the peace bond convictions violated Alabama law. 3 Alabama applied for 4 rehearing bUt™?ts own Court of Appeals tejected the tactic of excessive bail bonds, and denied the hearing. (more) Ala. Asks Court to Allow -2- September 21, 1964 Anti Civil Rights Weapon This also marked the first time that a southern court tuled in favor of Negroes involved in direct action demon- strations. Alabama is again asking its Supreme Court to rehear the cases in hopes of being able to again deter civil rights demonstrations with this method. Additional defendants are Worth Long, Wilson Brown and Wolff Dawson, all of "SNICK" and Benny Tucker and Will Shannon, local Selma residents. = 90 5