By Nettie Carter Jackson Grand Daughter Ruler Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World

    "PRESS RELEASE @ ® 

NA ACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND 
107 WEST 43 STREET »* NEW YORK 36, N. Y. ¢ JUdson 6-8397 

ae B. SPINGARN oa Nala pestt acct 

piu a 
ALLAN KNIGHT CHALMERS ARNOLD de MILLE 
Treasurer Pross Relations 

Vi pa). 2B FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt a 
NOTE TO EDITOR: This is another in a series of articles 

written by outstanding leaders in American 
life supporting the NAACP Legal Defense 
and Educational Fund, Inc. in its efforts 
to obtain through the courts full citizen- 
ship and "equal justice under law" for all 
Negro Americans, 

By 

NETTIE CARTER JACKSON 
Grand Daughter Ruler 

Improved Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks of the World 

Another school year opened three months, the third since the famed 

May 17, 1954 Supreme Court decision. Now, in many areas, there is joy- 
ous news that the walls of segregation are slowly crumbling before the 

weighty eyes and ears of public opinion and legal challenge, 

This historical edict, however, is being openly defied in the states 

which are infamous for their boasted Jim Crow policy. Mississippi, 

Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina have used every devious 

means to circumvent the decision that would renew the life-blood of 

American Democracy. 

It is apparent that this opposition is not confined to so-called 

backward elements, but is led chiefly by those in local government posi- 

tions who--on failing to achieve their aims peaceably--resort to the 

organization of white citizens! councils and the reestablishment of the 

Klan-like groups, 

This year, 1955, has been most disturbing, for--from coast to coast 

--there is repeated news of violence and terror against the Negro and 
other minorities who bravely seek, despite the opposition, to make a 

stand for their inherent Democratic rights. The burden of the fulfill- 

ment of these rights is still mightily pressing upon the shoulders of 
those segregated against in the majority of our school districts. And 

all is not well where, through litigation, we hold some hope for favor- 

able decisions through the regional U. S, District Courtsof Appeals. 



-2- 

The decision to desegregate does not mean the end of Jim Crow 

overnight; and, certainly, has far-reaching implications in housing, 

transportation facilities, and in our basic economic structure. 

Therefore, the I.B.P.0.E. of W., fully conscious of the need to 

unify every thinking citizen towards the goal of full freedom, RESOLVED 

at its 56th Annual Convention--Commendation for Thurgood Marshall (Win- 

ner of our 195) Alex Lovejoy Award) and his associates, for their 

untiring efforts to make effective the Supreme Court decision. We fur- 

ther commended all other organizations for their assistance to the 

NAACP in carrying out this desegregation process. 

We recommended that the Congress of the United States investigate 

and recommend appropriate action in connection with preventing qualified 

citizens from voting in Democratic Primaries in the South; intimidating 

these citizens for their membership in the NAACP, and invoking economic 

pressure on Negroes by denying them loans and credit. 

Because we believe that economic opportunity for all Americans is 

indispensable to the welfare of the nation, we urged that Congress 

adopt appropriate legislation to prohibit discrimination in employment ; 

and we directed our Civil Liberties Department, under the able leader- 

ship of Judge Hobson R, Renyolds, to appeal to the President's Committee 

on Government Contracts to wipe out discrimination against Negroes in 

railroads, public utilities, and large manufacturing companies who hold 

Government contracts which forbid discrimination in hiring and upgrading. 

Our Grand Exalted Ruler, the Honorable Robert H. Johnson, challenged 

the delegates to carry on the victorious campaign to make America free. 

He firmly stated, "It is your solemn duty to raise money for educational 

scholarships, and to raise funds to fight in the deepest section of the 

southland to get the doors opened in public schools." He further 

declared, "I warn you that the South will try to keep the public school 

issue in the courts for a long time, and as we have more than 750,000 

members, I call upon you to get this army in the fight." 

As the Grand Daughter Rule; I have called upon the daughters of 

Elks, the mothers and guardians of the health, lives and future of our 

youth to join in these sincere declarations, and I appeal to every 

eitizen for serious thought. 

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is in the forefront 

of this fight for our freedom, and its supporters in every state 

includes the members of the Order of Blks. 



336 ‘ 

We are fully cognizant of our deep responsibility to this great 

cause; and I would urge every citizen, and especially the Negro, to do 

more financially. We must seriously set aside, along with our other 

necessery living expenses, a substantial sum of money that will speak 

for us. 

The need for funds will increase with each hard-won victory as we 

expect a tremendous expense for litigation in almost every southern 

state. We must contribute liberally. The need is urgent. The work of 

the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, should not suffer or die for the want of 

funds. 

Our freedom, yours and mine, and that of our future generations, 

depend upon our sober, serious, and reflective thinking, but--most 

importent--our very real sacrifice of funds, if we are to hasten the 

end of segregation and bring about the truly great Democratic and Free 

America which is our Divine inheritance, 

~- 30 - 

[Editor's Note: Contributions made to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund can 
be deducted from your income tax.