NAACP v. Thompson Transcript of Record Vol. I
Public Court Documents
September 24, 1964
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Brief Collection, LDF Court Filings. NAACP v. Thompson Transcript of Record Vol. I, 1964. e6bbbe0f-bf9a-ee11-be36-6045bdeb8873. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/e54cd323-52a7-4ec5-826f-0fe5607a7551/naacp-v-thompson-transcript-of-record-vol-i. Accessed July 05, 2025.
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T r a n s c r i p t o f R e c o r d
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FIFTH CIRCUIT
NO. 2 1 7 41
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF COLORED PEOPLE, ET AL,
VS .
ALLEN THOMPSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI , ET AL,
VOLUME I
Pa g e s 1 t h r o u g h 285
( A p p e a l f r o m t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r
t h e S o u t h e r n D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s
-
APPELLANTS
APPELLEES
i c t Court f o r
s i p p i )
VOLUME I
CAPTION
I N D E X
1
Page
1
COMPLAINT 2
MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY
INJUNCTION WITH ATTACHED AFFIDAVITS AND OTHER
EXHIBITS, JUNE 7, 1 963 , AND ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS A
TO E, FILED JUNE 1 0 , 1963 23
DEFENDANTS' (CITY OF JACKSON) MOTION TO DISMISS vITH
AFFIDAVITS 45
ORDER TAKING CASE UNDER ADVISEMENT FOR LATER DECISION
JUNE 1 1 , 1963 57
PLAINTIFFS’ NOTICE OF APPEAL 59
JUDGMENT OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSING
APPEAL JULY 2 4, 1963 62
DEFENDANTS' REQUESTS FOR ADMISSIONS, JUNE 1 2 , 1963 65
PLAINTIFFS RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS,
JUNE 2 1 , 1 9 6 3 , JULY 26 , 1963 67 & 70
ANSWER OF ROSS R. BARNETT, JOE T . PATTERSON
AND HEBER LADNER, JUNE 2 7, 1963 76
ANSvvER OF CITY OF JACKSON, AUGUST 3 , 1963 85
ANSwER OF T. B. BIRDSONG, OCTOBER 1 8 , 1963 88
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR FURTHER HEARING AT EARLY DATE,
AUGUST 5, 1963 91
ORDER OVERRULING MOTION FOR FURTHER HEARING, AU G .17, ’ 63 94
PLAINTIFFS' AFFIDAVITS, JACK YOUNG, SHIRLEY CATCHINGS,
MERCEDES wRIGHT, AUGUST 2 l , 1963 95
DEFENDANTS' OPPOSING AFFIDAVITS, J . L. RAY, S . B.
BARNES, JOHN OSBORNE, R. G. NICHOLS, J R . ,
BEAVERS ARMSTRONG, C. J . HUSBANDS, E. E. SMITH,
D. A . NICHOLS, J . M. wILLIAMS, G. H. BLACKwELL 105
OPINION OF JUDGE COX ON COUNT 1 , JANUARY 1 0 , 1964 117
VOLUME I ( C o n t i n u e d ) I N D E X ( C o n t i n u e d )
IX
P a g e
OPINION OF JUDGE MIZE ON COUNT TnO OF THE
COMPLAINT, JANUARY 1 7 , 1964 125
ORDER DENYING TEMPORARY INJUNCTIONS IN COUNTS I AND
I I , JANUARY 2 3 , 1964
FIRST PRETRIAL ORDER, FEBRUARY 3, 1964 129
ORDER MAKING RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FOR ADMISSIONS
PART OF PROCEEDING, FEBRUARY 3, 1964 131
ORDER SUBSTITUTING DEFENDANT SHERIFF OF HINDS
COUNTY, FEBRUARY 6 , 1964 132
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO AMEND PRAYER OF COUNT 1 OF THE
COMPLAINT, FEBRUARY 2 8 , 1964 132
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO AMEND, FE B. 2 8 , ’ 64 134
OPINION OF COURT DISMISSING COMPLAINT, JUNE 3 , 1964 135
FINAL JUDGMENT, JUNE 5, 1964 164
NOTICE OF APPEAL, JUNE 20 , 1964 164
DESIGNATION OF CONTENTS OF RECORD ON APPEAL,
FILED JUNE 6 , 1964 166
TRANSCRIPT OF HEARING ON JUNE 8, 1963 170
C h i e f w. C. R a y f i e l d ( c a l l e d as a d v e r s e w i t n e s s ) 176
Mayor A l l e n Thompson ( c a l l e d as a d v e r s e w i t n e s s ) 183
d i r e c t t e s t i m o n y 236
r e c r o s s e x a m i n a t i o n 249
r e d i r e c t e x a m i n a t i o n 269
S h e r i f f J . R. G i l f o y ( c a l l e d as a d v e r s e w i t n e s s ) 270
HEARING CONCLUDED 285
I N D E X ( C o n t i n u e d )
1 1 1
TRANSCRIPT OF TESTIMONY OF JAMES BROWN AND LUCIAN
Page
VOLUME I I
RICHARDS IN CIVIL ACTIONS NO . 3430 AND 3431 ON
JUNE 1 2, 1963 286
Dir . Cr . R e d i r . R e c r .
Lu c ia n R i c h a r d s 288 291 297 298
James Brown 299 301 311 311
TRANSCRIPT OF HEARING ON COUNT TWO OF COMPLAINT 312
Dir . Cr . R e d i r . R ecr .
Heber A. Ladner 318
J o e T. P a t t e r s o n 325
M a rt i n R. McLendon 345
P l a i n t i f f s R e st 349
EXHIBIT D- l 350
H e a r i n g C o n c l u d e d 369
ANSWERS
ON ORAL
OF PLAINTIFF
EXAMINATION,
RALPH EDwIN
JANUARY 30,
KING
1964
TO QUESTIONS
370
TRANSCRIPT OF TRIAL, FEBRUARY 3, 4 , 5, 6 , 2 7 , 28 , 1964 392
Dir . Cr . R e d i r . R e c r .
Ruby H u r l e y 2
P l a i n t i f f Ex. 1 396
P l a i n t i f f Ex. 2 3 96
P l a i n t i f f Ex. 3 398
PI s Ex. 4 398
Def enda nt ’ s E x . 1 f o r I d e n . 404
Def enda nt ’ s E x . 2 f o r i d e n . 408
Char l e s E ver s 418 432,4® 457 461
Def enda n t ’ s E x . 3 and 4 f o r i d e n . 438
Def enda n t ’ s Ex . 5 f o r i d e n . 439
D e f e n d a n t T s Ex . 6 f o r i d en 441
Mr s . D o r i s A l l i s o n 475 484 501
497
Rev . R . L . T . Smith 505 529
Verna Anne B a i l e y 546 555 572
I N D_ E X _ ( C o n t i n u e d )
VOLUME I I I
TRANSCRIPT CONTINUED OF TRIAL, FEBRUARY 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ,
2 7 , 2 8 , 1964
Dir . Cr . R e d i r .
Miss Sh i r l e y C a t c h i n g s 574 581
S h i r l e y D o l o r e s B a i l y 597 603 623
B enni e L. C a t c h i n g s 629 637
TUESDAY, FEB. 4 , 1964
Jimmy Lee B e l l 648 652 656
Do r o t hy Ruth B r a c e y 656 670 684
Eddie J ean Thomas 684 695 716
H a t t i e Palmer 721 732 739
M a t t i e B i v i n s Dennis 743 748 757
Theresa Ea s i e y 758 762
A l f o n s o Lewis 771 778 795
D o r i s A n n e t t e E r s k i n e 797 804 817
H e z ekia h Wa tkins 824 835 852
A rv ene Lee Adams 856
i v .
Page
574
648
V
VOLUME IV I N D E X ( C o n t i n u e d ) Page
TRANSCRIPT CONTINUED o f TRIAL OF FEBRUARY 3, 4, 5,
6 , 27 and 28 , 1964 872
Arvene Lee Adams c o n t i n u e d 872
Dir . Cr . R e d i r . R e c r .
Helen O’ Neal 879 886 893
F r a n k i e Adams 894 900 929 935
W i l l Palmer 940 946
B e t t e Anne P o o l e 952 960 980
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1960 983
John Bromley Garner 985
Memphis Norman 1004 1015 1030
C l e v e l a n d Donald 1030 1033
McHenry Adams 1036 1046
W i l l i e Ludden 1051 1060 1100
D e f ’ s E x s . 8 , 9 , i d e n 1096
R e v . Edwin King 1101 1118
D e f ’ s Ex. 1 0 , i d e n 1126
A l b e r t L a s s i t e r 1162
Dr. A. D. B e i t t e l 1165
I N D E X ( C o n t i n u e d )
v i
Page
VOLUME V.
TRANSCRIPT OF TRIAL OF FEBRUARY 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 2 7 , 2 8 ,
1964 CONTINUED 1171
D i r . C r . R e d i r . R e c r .
A. D. B e i t t e l ( c o n t i n u e d ) 1171 1185 1195
P I . Ex. 6 f o r i d e n 1182
Wade H. Koons 1198
James M. Ward 1205
P I . Ex. 7 f o r i d e n 1206
P i . Ex. 8 f o r i d e n . 1210
P I . Ex. 9 t h r o u g h 17 f o r i d e n 1213
Thomas T . E t h r i d g e 1216
P I . Ex. 18 f o r i d e n . 1217
C h a r l e s M. H i l l s 1217
P I . Ex. 19 f o r i d e n . 1218
Fred A . Ro s s 1220
Ex. 20 f o r i d e n . 1223
Garner M. L e s t e r 1223
James W a l t e r S ch i mp f 1227
P I . Ex. 21 f o r i d e n . 1230
P i . Ex. 22 f o r i d e n . 1232
B o s w e l l S t e v e n s 1232
P I . E x . 2 3 , 2 4 f o r i d e n . 1235
Gene A u s t i n T r i g g s , S r . 1235
P I . Ex. 25 f o r i d e n . 1236
Mrs . K a t h e r i n e Gr ay s on K e n d a l l
1237
P i . Ex. 26 f o r i d e n . 1239
THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRU ARY 6 , 1964 1241
P I . Ex. 27 f o r i d e n . 1244
C h i e f M. B . P i e r c e 1248
C h a r l e s Noland F o r t e n b e r r y 1253
Le ona rd H. J o r d a n , J r . 1272
Mayor A l l e n C. Thompson 1280
Cha s . Noland F o r t e n b e r r y 1292
J u l i e n R u n d e l l Tatum 1298
Gordon H end erson 1316
J a c k Young 1332 1342 1351 1358
PLAINTIFFS REST 1368
D e f . Ex. 8 , 9 i n e v i d e n c e 1371
James L. B l a c k 1380 1458
D e f . Ex. 11 t h r u 15 f o r i d e n • 1380
D e f . Ex. 16 1394
D e f . E x . 17 1406
D e f . E x . 18 1421
Def . E x . 19 1430
VOLUME VI I N D_E X _ ( C o n t i n u e d )
V l l
Pape
TRANSCRIPT OF TRIAL CONTINUED OF FEBRUARY 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ,
2 7 , 2 8 , 1964-
D i r . C r . R e d i r . R e c r .
J . L. 1Bla cl< ( c o n t i n u e d ) 1469 1472 1479
THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 27 , 1964 1484
E x . ( Def . ) D-20 1484
Def . Exs . D - 2 1 , D - 2 2 , D- 2 3 1485
Def . Exs . D- 24 , D-25, D-26 1487
Def . Ex. 27 1488
Def , E x . 28 1489
Def . E x . 29 1490
Def . Ex . 3 1 , Ex. 32 1491
Def . E x . 33 , Ex. 34 1492
Def . E x . 3 5 , Ex. 36 1493
Def . Ex . 3 7 , Ex. 38 1494
Def . Exs . 39 , 40 , 41 1495
Def . Exs 4 2 , 43 1496
Def . Exs . 4 4 , 45 1497
Def . Exs . 4 6 , 47 1498
Def . Exs . 4 8 , 49 1499
Def . E x . 50 1500
Def . E x . 4 marked i n e v i d en<; e 1500
Def . Exs . 5 , 6 , 7, 10 , 3 i n e v i d enc e 1501
Def . Exs . 5 1 , 52 1504
Mr . Jo hn L . Ray 1505 1560
Mr . C l i f f Bingham 1604 1616 1628
Mr . W. C . Sho emak er 1630 1643
Mr. Be av er s A rmst ro ng 1652 1665
J udg e C a r l Gu ernsey 1673 1684
Mr . S . B . Barnes 1687 1697
Def . e x . 54 1689
Mr . C h a r i e s Evers 1701
Def . E x . 55 1691
Def . E x . 56 1692
Def . Ex . 57 1693
Def . E x . 58 1708
Def . 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4 wi t hd r awn 1710
Mayo r A l l e n Thompson 1711
P l a i n t i f f Ex. 28 1739
P l a i n t i f f Ex. 29 1741
Mr . Ja ck Yo ung 1743
TRIAL ENDED ! 7 6 2
CERTIFICATE OF PRINTER PREPARING RECORD 1763
1
MEMORANDUM FOR CLERK, UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI ,
JACKSON DIVISION
NO. 2 1 7 4 1
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF COLORED PEOPLE, ET AL, APPELLANTS
VS .
ALLEN THOMPSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
JACKSON, MI SSISSIPPI , ET AL, APPELLEES
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS:
J a c k H. Y oung , C a r s i e A. H a l l , 115^ North F a r i s h S t . ,
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R. J e s s Brown, 125^ North F a r i s h S t . , J a c k s o n , M i s s .
R o b e r t C a r t e r and Barbara M o r r i s , 20 West 4 0t h S t . ,
New Y o r k , New York
D e r r i c k A. B e l l , 10 Columbus C i r c l e , New Y o r k , N.Y.
^Jack G r e e n b e r g , L e r o y D. C l a r k , 10 Columbus C i r c l e ,
New Y o r k , New York
W i l l i a m R. Ming, J r . , 123 West Madison S t r e e t , C h i c a g o ,
I l l i n o i s
Frank D. R e e v e s , 508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N. W. , W a s h i n g t o n ,
D. C .
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES:
< / Thomas H. W a t k i n s , P. 0 . Box 6 5 0 , J a c k s o n , M i s s .
E. W. S t e n n e t t , C i t y A t t o r n e y , J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
J . A. T r a v i s , J r . , E l e c t r i c B u i l d i n g , J a c k s o n , M i s s .
R o b e / t G. N i c h o l s , J r . , Lamar L i f e B u i l d i n g ,
I _ Jac /kson, M i s s i s s i p p i
Jk. ^
M a r t i n .JL.—McLendon, A s s i s t a n t A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f
t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
2 .
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
JACKSON DIVISION
(FILED JUN 7 1963)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF COLORED PEOPLE, A New York C o r p o r a t i o n ;
ROY WILKINS; MEDGAR EVERS; WILLIE B . LUDDEN;
REV. RALPH EDWIN KING; DORIS ERSKINE and
DORIS ALLISON,
P l a i n t i f f s ,
v .
ALLEN THOMPSON, Mayor o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i ; D. L. LUCKEY, TOM MARSHALL,
C i t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s ; W. D, RAYFIELD, C h i e f
o f P o l i c e , C i t y o f J a c k s o n ; J . L . RAY,
Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e , J a c k s o n ; M. B.
PIERCE, A s s i s t a n t C h i e f o f P o l i c e , J a c k s o n ;
J . A. TRAVIS, C i t y P r o s e c u t i n g A t t o r n e y ,
J a c k s o n ; R. G. NICHOLS, S p e c i a l C i t y P r o s e
c u t o r ; T. B . BIRDSONG, C om mi s s i o n e r o f S t a t e
Highway P a t r o l m e n ; J . R. GILFOY, S h e r i f f o f
Hinds C o u n t y ; PAUL G. ALEXANDER, County
A t t o r n e y , Hinds C o u n t y , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
HON. ROSS R . BARNETT, G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i ; JOE T. PATTERSON, A t t o r n e y
G e n e r a l o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ; and
HEBER LADNER, S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ,
CIVIL ACTION
3432
D e f e n d a n t s .
COMPLAINT
COUNT I
Now come t h e p l a i n t i f f s by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s and com
p l a i n i n g o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s s a y ;
1 . The j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h i s Court i s i n v o k e d p ursu an t
t o t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f T i t l e 2 8 , U n i t e d S t a t e s C ode , S e c t i o n
1 3 4 3 ( 3 ) . T h i s a c t i o n i s a u t h o r i z e d under T i t l e 4 2 , U n i t e d
S t a t e s C ode , S e c t i o n 1 9 83 , t o be b r ou gh t t o r e d r e s s t h e d e
p r i v a t i o n , under c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w , s t a t u t e , o r d i n a n c e ,
r e g u l a t i o n , c u s to m o f u s a g e , o f r i g h t s , p r i v i l e g e s , and im
m u n i t i e s s e c u r e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and l aws o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , t o - w i t , r i g h t s , p r i v i l e g e s , and i m m u n i t i e s mandated
by t h e due p r o c e s s and eq ua l p r o t e c t i o n c l a u s e s o f t h e F o u r
t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
2 . The p l a i n t i f f s s p e c i f i c a l l y g o v e r n e d by Count I
h e r e i n a r e :
( 1 ) The N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement
o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n ;
( 2 ) Roy W i l k i n s , a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n o f the
S t a t e o f New York and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ;
( 3 ) Medgar E v e r s , a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ;
( 4 ) W i l l i e B. Ludden, a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n o f
t h e S t a t e o f G e o r g i a and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ;
( 5 ) R e v . R al ph Edwin Ki ng , a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ;
( 6 ) D o r i s E r s k i n e , a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ;
3 .
( 7 ) D o r i s A l l i s o n , a r e s i d e n t and c i t i z e n o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
The i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s a r e Negro and w h i t e c i t i - ^
zens o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s who b r i n g t h i s a c t i o n t o e n f o r c e
r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s on b e h a l f o f t h e m s e l v e s as i n d i v i d u a l s , and a l l o t h e r
p e r s o n s s i m i l a r l y s i t u a t e d , wh ich group o f p e r s o n s i s t o o
numerous t o be b ro u g h t i n d i v i d u a l l y b e f o r e t h i s C o u r t . The
c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f i s a n o n - p r o f i t membership o r g a n i z a t i o n
t h a t b r i n g s t h i s a c t i o n on b e h a l f o f i t s e l f and i t s members
and c o n t r i b u t o r s , b o t h Negro and w h i t e and r e s i d e n t s and non
r e s i d e n t s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t o v i n d i c a t e r i g h t s
p r o t e c t e d under t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n
o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . Thus , t h i s i s a c l a s s a c t i o n i n a c c o r d
a nc e w i t h t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f R ul e 2 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) o f t h e F e d e r a l R u l e s
o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e .
3 . The d e f e n d a n t s under Count I a r e a l l o f f i c e r s ,
a g e n t s o r e m p l oy e es o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , Hinds
C o u n t y , M i s s i s s i p p i , or o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i . A l l e n
Thompson i s t h e Mayor o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ; D. L. Luckey
and Tom M a r s h a l l a r e C i t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s ; W. D. R a y f i e l d i s
C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ; J . L. Ray and M. B,
P i e r c e a r e Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e and A s s i s t a n t C h i e f o f
P o l i c e , r e s p e c t i v e l y ; J . A. T r a v i s , i s t h e C i t y P r o s e c u r i n g
4 .
A t t o r n e y ; R. G . N i c h o l s i s t h e S p e c i a l C i t y P r o s e c u t o r ; T. B.
B i r d s o n g i s Co mm is s io ne r o f S t a t e Highway P a t r o l m e n ; J . R.
G i l f o y i s S h e r i f f o f Hinds C o u n t y ; and Paul G. A l e x a n d e r i s
County A t t o r n e y o f s a i d C ount y .
4 . The d e f e n d a n t s , i n d i v i d u a l l y and c o l l e c t i v e l y ,
t o g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r p e r s o n s p u r p o r t i n g t o e x e r c i s e t h e power
and a u t h o r i t y o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and a c t i n g under
c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w , s t a t u t e , o r d i n a n c e , r e g u l a t i o n , cus tom and
usage have f o r many y e a r s e x e r c i s e d , and now e x e r c i s e , t h a t
power and a u t h o r i t y t o e f f e c t u a t e and m a i n t a i n t h r o u g h o u t t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n t h e most r i g o r o u s and v i r u l e n t f o rm o f r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n now e x i s t i n g in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . To e n f o r c e and
m a i n t a i n t h i s p r a c t i c e o f r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n t h e d e f e n d a n t s
and t h e o t h e r p e r s o n s h e r e i n a b o v e m e n t i on ed deny p l a i n t i f f s
and a l l o t h e r p e r s o n s s i m i l a r l y s i t u a t e d a c c e s s t o p u b l i c
f a c i l i t i e s s o l e l y on t h e b a s i s o f r a c e , and d e t e r m i n e what
p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n s may be used by t h e p l a i n t i f f s
and o t h e r members o f t h e c l a s s t h e y r e p r e s e n t , l i k e w i s e s o l e l y
on t h e b a s i s o f r a c e . D e f e n d a n t s a r e a u t h o r i z e d and r e q u i r e d
t o e f f e c t u a t e and implement t h i s r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n by v a r i o u s
s t a t e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r o v i s i o n s and s t a t u t e s , i n c l u d i n g but
n o t l i m i t e d t o , t h e f o l l o w i n g : M i s s . C o n s t i t u t i o n , S e c . 2 2 5 ;
Code o f M i s s i s s i p p i : S e c . 7786 ( s e g r e g a t i o n o f r a c e s on s t r e e t
c a r s and b u s e s ) ; S e c s . 6 8 82 , 6883 ( s e p a r a t e ment al w a r d s ) ; Sec
5 .
6
2 3 5 1 . 5 ( s e p a r a t e r e s t rooms i n r a i l r o a d and bus s t a t i o n
w a i t i n g rooms f o r i n t e r s t a t e p a s s e n g e r s ) ; S e c . 2 0 5 6 ( 7 )
( p u n i s h e s any c o n s p i r a c y t o v i o l a t e t h e s e g r e g a t i o n laws o f
t h e s t a t e ) ; S e c . 3499 ( u n l a w f u l f o r t a x i c a b s t o t r a n s p o r t
w h i t e s and N e g ro es t o g e t h e r ) ; S e c . 7 7 8 7 . 5 ( r e q u i r e s c o n s t r u c
t i o n o f s e p a r a t e w a i t i n g room's by a l l common c a r r i e r s f o r
i n t r a s t a t e p a s s e n g e r s ) ; S e c . 2339 ( misdemeanor t o p u b l i s h or
a d v o c a t e t h e s o c i a l e q u a l i t y o f t h e r a c e s ) ; S e c . 4 0 6 5 . 3
( r e q u i r e s a l l s t a t e o f f i c e r s t o u t i l i z e t h e i r o f f i c e t o main
t a i n s e g r e g a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s ) . In a d d i t i o n , t h e d e f e n d a n t s
make use o f and r e l y upon any and e v e r y s t a t u t e o f t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i and e v e r y o r d i n a n c e , r u l e or r e g u l a t i o n o f t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n which can be t w i s t e d or d i s t o r t e d t o i n t e r f e r e
w i t h , h a r a s s , i n t i m i d a t e or p u n i s h any p e r s o n who r e s i s t s or
o b j e c t s t o t h e p o l i c y o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n which d e f e n d a n t s
a r e c o m m i t t ed t o m a i n t a i n . S i m i l a r l y , t h e d e f e n d a n t s a b u se
and s u b v e r t t h e j u d i c i a l p r o c e s s e s o f t h e c o u r t s o f t h e S t a t e
t o t h e same end.
5 . The C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s p r o
h i b i t t h e use o f s t a t e power t o a c h i e v e r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n
and s e g r e g a t i o n . The c o u r t s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , and o f t h e
s e v e r a l s t a t e s , have c o n s i s t e n t l y i n v a l i d a t e d t h e r a c i a l d i s
c r i m i n a t i o n , e n f o r c e d or s u p p o r t e d by s t a t e a u t h o r i t y wh ich
i s p r e c i s e l y t h e use w h i c h t h e d e f e n d a n t s a r e making o f t h e
power o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p o i , w h i c h t h e y a r e a u t h o r i z e d
to e x e r c i s e . The F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t he C o n s t i t u t i o n o f
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s d e n i e s t o e v e r y s t a t e , i n c l u d i n g t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t h e power t o d e p r i v e any p e r s o n o f l i f e ,
l i b e r t y or p r o p e r t y w i t h o u t due p r o c e s s o f law and r e q u i r e s
each s t a t e t o a f f o r d t o e v e r y p e r s o n t h e eq ua l p r o t e c t i o n o f
t h e l a w s . The C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h e C o n g r e s s
o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s and t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s by
e x e c u t i v e o r d e r , have u n an i mo u s l y condemned t h e e x e r c i s e o f
g o v e r n m e n t a l power t o e f f e c t u a t e , m a i n t a i n and a c h i e v e r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n . N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , t h e d e f e n d
a n t s have c o n t i n u e d and t h r e a t e n t o c o n t i n u e i n t h e f u t u r e a
p o l i c y and p r a c t i c e o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n
i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n and i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
6 . S i n c e on or a b o ut May 27 , 1 9 6 3 , t h e p l a i n t i f f s , or
some o f them, and o t h e r p e r s o n s h a v e , f r o m t i m e t o t i m e ,
p e a c e a b l y a s s e m b l e d i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n t o seek r e d r e s s o f
t h e i r g r i e v a n c e s a r i s i n g f rom t h e i l l e g a l m a i n t e n a n c e and
e n f o r c e m e n t o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n by t h e d e f e n d a n t s . P l a i n
t i f f s have e q u a l l y p e a c e f u l l y so ug ht p u b l i c l y t o s t a t e t h e i r
g r i e v a n c e s a r i s i n g f r o m the i l l e g a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t
N e g r o e s . More s p e c i f i c a l l y , p l a i n t i f f s , or some o f them,
have done t h e f o l l o w i n g :
a . P i c k e t e d p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n s , e . g . ,
7 .
8
s t o r e s and r e s t a u r a n t s , i n J a c k s o n , by w a l k i n g in an o r d e r l y
manner i n sma l l g r o u p s , s i n g l e f i l e , in f r o n t o f such p l a c e s
c a r r y i n g p l a c a r d s r e q u e s t i n g t h e end o f e x c l u s i o n o f Neg ro es
f r om such p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n .
b . E n t e r e d d a c e s o f p u b l i c a cc om m o d a t i o n in
J a c k s o n , and r e q u e s t e d s e r v i c e on a r a c i a l l y i n t e g r a t e d b a s i s
at l u n c h c o u n t e r s . When r e f u s e d s e r v i c e p u rs u an t t o t h e r e
q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e s t a t e s t a t u t e s and t h e o r d e r s and d i r e c t i v e s
o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , p l a i n t i f f s , or some o f them, have remained
on t h e p r e m i s e s . P l a i n t i f f s ’ r e q u e s t s wer e o r d e r l y and at no
t i m e d i d p l a i n t i f f s b l o c k i n g r e s s o r e g r e s s t o such p l a c e s o f
p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n .
c . A f t e r a mass m e e t i n g i n a c h u r c h , p l a i n t i f f s ,
o r some o f them, have wa lk ed a l o n g a p u b l i c s t r e e t i n J a c k s o n ,
two a b r e a s t , c a r r y i n g s i g n s a d v o c a t i n g t h e end o f r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n . P l a i n t i f f s o be ye d a l l t r a f f i c s i g n a l s and at no
t i m e b l o c k e d t h e p u b l i c s i d e w a l k i n any manner w h i ch p r e v e n t e d
i t s use by o t h e r p e r s o n s .
d . In s m a l l g ro u p s p l a i n t i f f s , o r some o f them,
have p e a c e f u l l y p r a y e d t o God f o r t h e end o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a
t i o n and p o l i c e b r u t a l i t y i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n on t h e s t e p s
and i n f r o n t o f f e d e r a l and m u n i c i p a l b u i l d i n g s . At no t ime
were t h e e x i t s o r e n t r a n c e s t o such b u i l d i n g s b l o c k e d t o p r e
v e n t p e r s o n s f r o m l e a v i n g or e n t e r i n g .
9 .
7 . D e f e n d a n t s , and each o f them, w e l l know t h a t t h e
p u r p o s e and i n t e n t i o n o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e s o l e l y t o e x e r c i s e
r i g h t s o f p e a c e f u l a s s e m b l y , f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h , and p e t i t i o n
f o r r e d r e s s o f g r i e v a n c e s , a l l o f w h i ch a r e p r o t e c t e d f rom
i n t e r f e r e n c e by f e d e r a l , s t a t e o r l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t a l o f f i c i a l s
by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . I n d e e d , on
o r a bout May 2 9 , 1 9 63 , one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s , Medgar E v e r s ,
o r a l l y r e q u e s t e d a p a r a d i n g p e r m i t f r om t h e d e f e n d a n t , M. D.
P i e r c e , A s s i s t a n t C h i e f o f P o l i c e , who s a i d t h a t d e f e n d a n t
p r o m i s e d t o l o o k i n t o t h e m a t t e r but t o d a t e t h e p l a i n t i f f
Ever s has r e c e i v e d no r e p l y t o h i s r e q u e s t . In f a c t , t h e
g r a n t i n g o f such a pe rmi t would a p p e a r t o be p r o h i b i t e d by
S e c t i o n 2339 o f t h e Code o f M i s s i s s i p p i wh ich makes a d v o c a c y
o f s o c i a l e q u a l i t y o f t h e Negro and w h i t e r a c e s a misdemeanor
and S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 , Code o f M i s s i s s i p p i , w h i c h i m p o s es on
d e f e n d a n t s a dut y t o s u p p r e s s and p r o h i b i t any a c t i v i t y which
might b r i n g a b o ut r a c i a l d e s e g r e g a t i o n .
8 . N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e f a c t t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t s , and
each o f them, w e l l knew, and s t i l l know, t h a t t he s o l e p u r
p o s e o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s i s t o a s s e r t and e x e r c i s e t h e i r r i g h t s
g u a r a n t e e d and p r o t e c t e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h e d e f e n d a n t s , p u r s u a n t t o t h e i r commitment
t o use t h e power o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o m a i n t a i n
r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n , have i l l e g a l l y , u n w a r r a n t e d l y and w i t h o u t
10.
j u s t c a u s e i n t e r f e r e d w i t h t h e p l a i n t i f f s , and each o f them,
i n t h e i r e f f o r t s t o e x e r c i s e t h e i r r i g h t s o f f r e e d o m o f
s p e e c h , p e a c e f u l a s s e m b l y and p e t i t i o n f o r r e d r e s s o f t h e i r
g r i e v a n c e s by a s s a u l t i n g p l a i n t i f f s , or some o f them, w i t h
g r e a t v i o l e n c e , d o i n g s e r i o u s b o d i l y harm t o p l a i n t i f f s , or
some o f them; by f o r c i b l y b r e a k i n g up p e a c e f u l g a t h e r i n g s o f
p l a i n t i f f s , o r some o f them, and by f o l l o w i n g a p o l i c y o f
" i n s t a n t a r r e s t " o f p l a i n t i f f s on d i v e r s e c h a r g e s , t o - w i t s
Code o f M i s s i s s i p p i , S e c t i o n 2 0 8 7 . 5 ( B r e a c h o f P e a c e ) ; S e c t i o n
1088 ( R e s t r a i n t o f T r a d e ) ; S e c t i o n 2 4 0 9 . 7 ( T r e s p a s s ) ; O r d i
na nc es o f C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S e c t i o n 594 ( P a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a
L i c e n s e ) ; U n i f o r m T r a f f i c R e g u l a t i o n C ode , S e c t i o n 134
( O b s t r u c t i n g T r a f f i c and P a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a L i c e n s e ) . Such
a r r e s t s have been made by d e f e n d a n t s s o l e l y f o r t h e p u r p o s e
o f h a r a s s i n g and i n t i m i d a t i n g p l a i n t i f f s and even t h o u g h
d e f e n d a n t s w e l l know t h a t under a l l t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s p l a i n
t i f f s ca nn ot be v a l i d l y c o n v i c t e d o f t h e o f f e n s e s c h a r g e d .
9 . More tha n s i x hundred p e r s o n s have been so a r r e s t e d
s i n c e May 2 7 , 1 9 6 3 . In o r d e r t o o b t a i n t h e i r r e l e a s e f rom
c u s t o d y p e r s o n s so a r r e s t e d have been o b l i g e d t o p o s t bonds
i n t h e amount o f $ 1 00 , $500 and $ 1 , 0 0 0 , e a c h , e x c e p t t h a t
c e r t a i n mi no rs have be en r e l e a s e d w i t h o u t b a i l i n t h e c u s t o d y
o f t h e i r p a r e n t s . S t i l l o t h e r m i n o r s , h o w e v e r , d e f e n d a n t s have
r e f u s e d t o r e l e a s e a t a l l . Most o f t h e p e r s o n s so a r r e s t e d have
11.
been t r i e d , f ou nd g u i l t y as c h a r g e d , and have been s e n t e n c e d
to t h e maximum p r o v i d e d under t h e p a r t i c u l a r o r d i n a n c e or
s t a t u t e a l l e g e d l y v i o l a t e d . Though many o f t h e s e p e r s o n s were
a r r e s t e d under i d e n t i c a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , and t ho ug h t h e r e was
no c o n t r o v e r s y c o n c e r n i n g t h e f a c t s , and t h ou gh c o n v i c t i o n o f
t h e s e p e r s o n s was i n d e r o g a t i o n o f r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d by t h e
C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h e d e f e n d a n t s have
p e r s i s t e d , and s t i l l p e r s i s t i n r e q u i r i n g t h a t each i n d i v i d u a l
be t r i e d s e p a r a t e l y , and t h a t i f an a p p e a l i s t a k e n , each i n d i
v i d u a l t a k e a s e p a r a t e a p p e a l . Thus , f i n a l a d j u d i c a t i o n o f
p l a i n t i f f s ’ a s s e r t e d c o n s t i t u t i o n a l c l a i m s a r e l o n g d e l a y e d .
Huge e x p e n d i t u r e s o f monies i n c o u r t c o s t s , b a i l and a p p e a l
bonds a r e r e q u i r e d . As a re s u i t , d e f e n d a n t s t h r e a t e n t o d e p r i v e
t h e s e p e r s o n s , or some o f them, o f any p o s s i b i l i t y o f p r e s e r v
i n g and p r o t e c t i n g t h r o u g h t h e j u d i c i a l p r o c e s s t h e i r r i g h t s as
g u a r a n t e e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and l a w s o f t h e Un i te d S t a t e s .
1 0 . P l a i n t i f f s d e s i r e , and i n t e n d , t o c o n t i n u e t o p r o
t e s t a g a i n s t t h e i l l e g a l use o f s t a t e power by t h e d e f e n d a n t s .
I n so d o i n g , t h e y a r e m e r e l y e x e r c i s i n g r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d by
t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and t h e laws o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . The
d e f e n d a n t s t h r e a t e n t o c o n t i n u e t o h a r a s s , i n t i m i d a t e ,
t h r e a t e n , and o t h e r w i s e deny t o t h e p l a i n t i f f s t h e r i g h t o f
p e a c e f u l a s s e m b l y , t h e r i g h t o f f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h and o f a s s o
c i a t i o n and t h e r i g h t t o a d v o c a t e and t o engage i n l a w f u l
a c t i v i t i e s t o e l i m i n a t e r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n c o n c e r t w i t h
12 .
o t h e r p e r s o n s as g u a r a n t e e d by t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o
t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . P l a i n t i f f s have no
a d e q u a t e remedy at law i n t h e c o u r t s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i or i n t h e c o u r t s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s save by t h i s s u i t
f o r i n j u n c t i v e and d e c l a r a t o r y r e l i e f .
WHEREFORE, p l a i n t i f f s p r a y on t h e i r b e h a l f and on b e
h a l f o f members o f t h e c l a s s t h a t t h i s Court w i l l :
1 . I m m e d i a t e l y i s s u e a t e m p o r a r y r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r ,
w i t h o u t n o t i c e , r e s t r a i n i n g d e f e n d a n t s h e r e i n f rom c o n t i n u i n g
t h e c o n d u c t se t f o r t h b e l o w i n p a r a g r a p h s 3a t h r o u g h h;
2 . Advance t h i s c a u s e on t h e d o c k e t and g ra nt a
s p ee dy h e a r i n g a c c o r d i n g t o law and upon such h e a r i n g d e
c l a r e t h e r i g h t s and l e g a l r e l a t i o n s o f t h e p a r t i e s h e r e i n t o
t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r o f t h i s s u i t in o r d e r t h a t such a c t i o n may
have t h e f o r c e and e f f e c t o f a f i n a l j u d g m e n t ;
3 . Grant a p r e l i m i n a r y and permanent i n j u n c t i o n , a f t e r
a p p r o p r i a t e h e a r i n g , e n j o i n i n g t h e d e f e n d a n t s and each o f
t h e i r a g e n t s , e m p l o y e e s , s u c c e s s o r s , and a l l p e r s o n s i n a c t i v e
c o n c e r t and p a r t i c i p a t i o n w i t h them f r o m :
a . P u r s u i n g a p o l i c y under c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w ,
s t a t u t e , r e g u l a t i o n , c i t y o r d i n a n c e , c us t o m or u sa g e o f d eny
i n g t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f ,
i t s o f f i c e r s , members and a l l p e r s o n s a c t i n g i n c o n c e r t w i t h
them f r om p e a c e f u l l y and p u b l i c l y p r o t e s t i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n
1 3 .
as such r i g h t o f p e a c e f u l and p u b l i c p r o t e s t i s p r o t e c t e d by
t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
b . P u r s u i n g a p o l i c y under c o l o r o f s t a t e law and
c i t y o r d i n a n c e o f d e n y i n g t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , t h e
c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , i t s o f f i c e r s and members, and a l l p e r s o n s
a c t i n g i n c o n c e r t w i t h them, t h e r i g h t t o p r o t e s t a g a i n s t
r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n by p e a c e f u l l y w a l k i n g upon t h e p u b l i c
s i d e w a l k s i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h a l l l a w f u l r u l e s and r e g u l a t i o n s
w i t h i n t he p o l i c e c ow er o f the S t a t e and not i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h
r i g h t s s e c u r e d by t h e F i r s t and F o u r t e e n t h Amendments t o t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
c . A r r e s t i n g , under c o l o r o f s t a t e law and c i t y
o r d i n a n c e , t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , t h e members o f t h e
c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , and a l l o t h e r p e r s o n s a c t i n g in c o n c e r t
w i t h them, t h u s d e n y i n g t h e i r r i g h t p e a c e f u l l y t o p i c k e t in
p r o t e s t a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n p u b l i c and p r i v a t e l y -
owned f a c i l i t i e s and e n t e r p r i s e s by p e a c e f u l l y w a l k i n g upon
t h e s i d e w a l k a d j a c e n t t o such p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s and p r i v a t e
b u s i n e s s e n t e r p r i s e s .
d . A r r e s t i n g , under c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w , t h e i n d i
v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , members o f t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , and
a l l o t h e r p e r s o n s a c t i n g i n c o n c e r t w i t h them, when such p e r
sons e n t e r p r i v a t e l y - o w n e d b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s , r e q u e s t
s e r v i c e on a r a c i a l l y d e s e g r e g a t e d b a s i s , and remain on t h e
14 .
p r e m i s e s when d e n i e d s e r v i c e p u rs u an t t o t h e p o l i c y o f t he
C i t y o f J a c k s o n and t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and o r d e r e d t o
1 e a v e .
e . A r r e s t i n g the i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , members
o f t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , and p e r s o n s i n a c t i v e c o n c e r t w i t h
them, f o r p e a c e f u l l y p r o t e s t i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n in t h e C i t y
o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
f . T h r e a t e n i n g , i n t i m i d a t i n g , c o m m i t t i n g or c o n
d o n i n g a c t s o f v i o l e n c e by members o f t h e J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
P o l i c e F o r c e upon p e r s o n s a r r e s t e d i n p e a c e f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n .
g . A t t e m p t i n g t o i n t e r f e r e w i t h , e n j o i n , or p r o
h i b i t p e a c e f u l and o r d e r l y d e m o n s t r a t i o n s c o n d u c t e d by t h e
i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , members o f t he c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f and
p e r s o n s a c t i n g i n c o n c e r t w i t h them, which d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a r e
p r o t e c t e d by t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Con
st i t u t i o n .
h . P r o c e e d i n g w i t h t h e p r o s e c u t i o n s o f a l l p l a i n
t i f f s who have b e e n a r r e s t e d but no t t r i e d or c o n v i c t e d f o r
p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e p e a c e f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a g a i n s t r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n i n v o l v e d h e r e i n .
COUNT I I
Now come t h e p l a i n t i f f s , t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r
t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n ;
1 5.
Roy W i l k i n s , i t s E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y , a r e s i d e n t o f t he S t a t e
o f New Y o r k ; Medgar E v e r s , i t s F i e l d S e c r e t a r y f o r t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i , a r e s i d e n t o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ; and
t h e members o f s a i d p l a i n t i f f o r g a n i z a t i o n who a r e r e s i d e n t s
and c i t i z e n s o f t h e v a r i o u s s t a t e s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
i n c l u d i n g t he S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , and
s t a t e as f o l l o w s :
1 . A l l o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count I a r e r e a l l e g e d ,
a d o p t e d and a r e made a p a r t o f Count I I as i f t h e s e a l l e g a t i o n s
were s e t out v e r b a t i m h e r e i n .
2 . The above - named p l a i n t i f f s have r i g h t s and i n t e r
e s t s i n common, and t h e y c o n s t i t u t e a number t o o l a r g e t o be
b r o u g h t b e f o r e t h i s C o u r t . They a r e a l l s e e k i n g t o e n f o r c e
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d under t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amend
ment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . These p l a i n
t i f f s c o n s t i t u t e a c l a s s under t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f R u le 2 3 ( a ) ( 3 )
o f t h e F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e and b r i n g t h i s a c t i o n
f o r t h e m s e l v e s and on b e h a l f o f a l l members o f t h e c l a s s
s i m i l a r l y s i t u a t e d .
3 . The d e f e n d a n t s a r e a l l t h o s e s p e c i f i e d in Count
I a b o v e . In a d d i t i o n , p l a i n t i f f s c o m p l a i n o f R o ss R. B a r n e t t ,
G o v e r n o r and C h i e f E x e c u t i v e o f f i c e r o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i ; J o e T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , who i s c h a r g e d w i t h t h e d ut y o f p r o s e c u t i n g
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s , p r e s e n t l y d o i n g b u s i n e s s i n t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t h a t have f a i l e d t o comply w i t h laws a p p l i c a b l e
t o such f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s ; and Heber L a d n e r , t h e S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , c h a r g e d w i t h t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f
r e g i s t e r i n g f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s t h a t meet t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f
M i s s i s s i p p i l a w .
4 . The p l a i n t i f f , t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r the
Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , has d u l y c o m p l i e d w i t h a l l t h e
laws o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i a p p l i c a b l e t o f o r e i g n n o n p r o
f i t c o r p o r a t i o n s . I t f i l e d i t s A r t i c l e s o f I n c o r p o r a t i o n w i t h
d e f e n d a n t , Heber L a d n e r , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e i n December , 1 9 62 ;
t e n d e r e d t o him t h e r e q u i s i t e f i l i n g f e e s , and f u r n i s h e d him
w i t h a l l t h e data r e q u i r e d by l a w . I t a l s o d e s i g n a t e d an
a g e n t f o r t h e s e r v i c e o f p r o c e s s , t o w i t , Medgar E v e r s , a
p l a i n t i f f h e r e i n . However , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g i t s c o m p l i a n c e a l l
t h e l e g a l p r e r e q u i s i t e s f o r d u l y q u a l i f y i n g t o do b u s i n e s s i n
t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f has r e c e i v e d
no c o m m u n i c a t i o n f r om t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e or any o t h e r
r e s p o n s i b l e s t a t e o f f i c i a l s c o n c e r n i n g i t s r e g i s t r a t i o n . I t
has made v a r i o u s i n q u i r i e s t o d e t e r m i n e what a c t i o n has been
t a k e n , but t o no a v a i l .
5. The b a s i c p u r p o s e s and o b j e c t i v e s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f
o r g a n i z a t i o n , i t s o f f i c e r s and members, a r e t o i m p r o v e t h e
s t a t u s o f N e g r o e s i n Amer i can l i f e . A c h i e f o b j e c t i v e ,
16 .
1 7 .
t h e r e f o r e , i s t h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f a l l f orms o f r a c i a l s e g r e
g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n e x t a n t i n t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s ,
i n c l u d i n g the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i . The p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a
t i o n i s a n o n - p r o f i t membership o r g a n i z a t i o n composed o f a
l a r g e number o f members, o p e r a t i n g t h r o u g h c h a r t e r e d a f f i l i
a t e s i n 45 o f t h e 50 s t a t e s o f t h e U ni o n . I t f u n c t i o n s in
t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t h r o u g h v a r i o u s c h a r t e r e d a f f i l i a t e s ,
d e s i g n a t e d as b r a n c h e s , y o u t h c o u n c i l s and c o l l e g e c h a p t e r s
l o c a t e d i n t h e v a r i o u s c i t i e s and towns o f t h e S t a t e o f Mis
s i s s i p p i . These l o c a l a f f i l i a t e s have come t o g e t h e r i n a
s t a t e w i d e o r g a n i z a t i o n known as t h e M i s s i s s i p p i S t a t e C o n f e r
ence o f Branches whose p u r p o s e and f u n c t i o n i s t o e f f e c t u a t e
on a s t a t e w i d e b a s i s t h e b a s i c p u r p o s e s and o b j e c t i v e s o f t h e
p l a i n t i f f o r g a n i z a t i o n . A l l o f t h e a f f i l i a t e s named h e r e i n
a r e u n i n c o r p o r a t e d a s s o c i a t i o n s . In a d d i t i o n , t h e p l a i n t i f f
c o r p o r a t i o n m a i n t a i n s an o f f i c e i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , headed
by t h e p l a i n t i f f , Medgar E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y , whose f u n c t i o n s
and d u t i e s a r e t o a s s i s t t h e l o c a l a f f i l i a t e s i n d e v i s i n g and
i m p l e m e n t i n g a l o c a l and s t a t e w i d e prog ra m t o a d v a n c e t h e
o b j e c t i v e s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , t o e l i m i n a t e a l l
f orms o f r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n and t o s e c u r e f o r Negro r e s i
d e n t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i a l l t h e r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d under t h e Con
s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
) 6 . The p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , o p e r a t i n g t h r o u g h i t s
19 .
t he r i g h t s o f Negro c i t i z e n s under t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , and t o
t h a t end a r e e n g a g i n g and have engaged i n l a w f u l group a c t i v i t y ,
i n c l u d i n g t he a d v o c a c y o f equal t r e a t m e n t , p u b l i c p r o t e s t
a g a i n s t r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , a t t e m p t s t o s e c u r e t h e removal
o f b a r r i e r s t o t h e r e g i s t e r i n g and v o t i n g by N e g r o e s , p e a c e f u l
p i c k e t i n g and o t h e r l a w f u l means t o s e c u r e t h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
P l a i n t i f f , Roy W i l k i n s , t h e E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y o f
t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , and Medgar E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y
o f t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , a r e w e l l known t o d e f e n d a n t s as
o f f i c e r s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n . A l t h o u g h t h e y c l e a r l y
were engaged i n p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g and t h e d i s s e m i n a t i o n o f
i d e a s g u a r a n t e e d under t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s ,
p l a i n t i f f s W i l k i n s and E ver s wer e a r r e s t e d and c h a r g e d w i t h a
v i o l a t i o n o f t h e M i s s i s s i p p i s t a t u t e , S e c t i o n 1 0 8 8 , Code o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , s o l e l y b e c a u s e t h e y a r e o f f i c e r s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f
c o r p o r a t i o n and b e c a u s e , as s u c h , t h e y wer e a t t e m p t i n g t o
e f f e c t u a t e t h e aims and p u r p o s e s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n
t o a c h i e v e e q u a l c i t i z e n s h i p r i g h t s f o r N e g r o e s i n t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
8 . The d e f e n d a n t s e x p r e s s l y a r e o p p o s e d t o p l a i n t i f f s ’
a ims and p u r p o s e s . D e f e n d a n t s a r e c o mm it te d t o a c o u r s e o f
c o n d u c t d e s i g n e d t o i mpe de , f r u s t r a t e and d e f e a t t h e impl emen
t a t i o n o f t h e o b j e c t i v e s o f r a c i a l e q u a l i t y a d v o c a t e d by t h e
p l a i n t i f f s as se t f o r t h i n Count I , and m o r e o v e r , a r e s p e c i f i
c a l l y r e q u i r e d by s t a t e law ( S e c . 4 0 6 5 . 3 , Code o f M i s s . ) t o use
t h e i r o f f i c e s t o p e r p e t u a t e r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n , s up r a , i n d e r o
g a t i o n o f t h e i r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l o b l i g a t i o n s mandated under t h e
F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t he U n i t e d S t a t e s .
De f en da nt s have f a i l e d t o r e g i s t e r t h e p l a i n t i f f as a f o r e i g n
c o r p o r a t i o n , and by t h e a r r e s t and f i l i n g o f c h a r g e s a g a i n s t
t h e p l a i n t i f f s W i l k i n s and Ever s and by s e c u r i n g an ex p a r t e
i n j u n c t i o n o f b r oa d and va gu e d i m e n s i o n s i n a p p a r e n t r e s t r a i n t
o f p l a i n t i f f s ’ l a w f u l a c t i v i t i e s , a r e o p e n l y i n t e r f e r i n g w i t h
t h e l a w f u l a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f o r g a n i z a t i o n , i t s mem
b e r s and o f f i c e r s , and a r e t h r e a t e n i n g t o p r o s e c u t e p l a i n t i f f s
under t h e a f o r e s a i d law and i n j u n c t i o n .
WHEREFORE, p l a i n t i f f s p r a y on t h e i r own b e h a l f and on
b e h a l f o f members o f t h e c l a s s t h e y r e p r e s e n t , t h a t t h i s
Court w i l l :
1 . Advance t h i s c a u s e on t h e d o c k e t and g ra nt a
s p ee dy h e a r i n g a c c o r d i n g t o law and upon such h e a r i n g d e c l a r e
t h e r i g h t s and l e g a l r e l a t i o n s o f the p a r t i e s h e r e i n t o t h e
s u b j e c t m a t t e r o f t h i s s u i t i n o r d e r t h a t such a c t i o n may
have t h e f o r c e and e f f e c t o f a f i n a l j u d g m e n t ;
2 . I m m e d i a t e l y i s s u e a t e m p o r a r y r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r ,
w i t h o u t n o t i c e and a p r e l i m i n a r y and p ermanent i n j u n c t i o n t o
r e s t r a i n t h e d e f e n d a n t s , t h e i r a g e n t s , s e r v a n t s , e m p l o y e e s ,
20 .
21.
s u c c e s s o r s , a t t o r n e y s , o r any p e r s o n or p e r s o n s in a c t i v e c o n
c e r t w i t h them, i n d i v i d u a l l y and c o l l e c t i v e l y f r o m :
a . r e f u s i n g to r e g i s t e r t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n as
d u l y q u a l i f i e d t o do b u s i n e s s i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ;
b . t a k i n g any a c t i o n in t h e c o u r t s o f t h e Un i te d
S t a t e s or t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o e n j o i n or bar t h e p l a i n
t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , o r i t s members f r om c o n d u c t i n g i t s b u s i n e s s
o r f r o m p u r s u i n g t h e i r l a w f u l o b j e c t i v e s w i t h i n t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , i n c l u d i n g t h e e n c o u r a g e m e n t , o r g a n i z a t i o n and
p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s and a c t i v i t i e s d e s i g n e d t o end
r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
c . p r o c u r i n g an i n d i c t m e n t or f u r t h e r p r o s e c u t i n g
p l a i n t i f f s Roy W i l k i n s and Medgar Ever s f o r t h e i r a l l e g e d
v i o l a t i o n , on or a b o ut June 1 , 1 9 6 3 , at J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
o f T i t l e 8 , S e c t i o n 1 0 8 8 , Code o f M i s s i s s i p p i ;
d . p r o c e e d i n g to p r o s e c u t e f u r t h e r t h e B i l l f o r
I n j u n c t i o n f i l e d by t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n June 6 , 1 9 6 3 , i n t he
Cha nce ry Court o f t h e F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t o f Hinds C o u nt y ,
M i s s i s s i p p i a g a i n s t p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r s (No. 6 3 , 4 2 9 ) and
f r om e n f o r c i n g t h e Temporary W r i t o f I n j u n c t i o n e n t e r e d in
s a i d c a u s e ex p a r t e and w i t h o u t n o t i c e , June 6 , 1 9 6 3 , by
C h a n c e l l o r J . L. S t e n n e t ;
e . and f o r such o t h e r and f u r t h e r r e l i e f as t h e Court
may deem p r o p e r .
22
JACK H . YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
115^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 4 0t h S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New York
R. JESS BROWN
1252: North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
JACK GREENBERG
LEROY D. CLARK
DERRICK A. BELL
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N .W .
W a s hi n gt o n 1 , D. C.
WILLIAM R . MING, J R .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
BY : / s ( C a r s i e A. H a l l_____
VERIFICATION
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
) SS.
COUNTY OF HINDS )
Medgar E v e r s , b e i n g f i r s t d u l y sworn, says t h a t he i s
one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a u s e , and t h a t he has r e a d t h e
a b o v e and f o r e g o i n g c o m p l a i n t , and t h a t a l l of t h e a l l e g a t i o n s
c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o t h e b e s t o f h i s i n f o r m a t i o n ,
kn o wl ed g e and b e l i e f
(R30)
BY__ / s / Medgar W. Evers__________
Sworn and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6t h day o f June 1 9 63 .
/ s / H. C. Latham_____________
Not ary P u b l i c
My Commiss ion e x p i r e s May 2 7 , 1 9 6 7 .
■ a - * # * * * # * * * * * * - *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 7 1963)
MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Now come t h e p l a i n t i f f s , by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , and
r e s p e c t f u l l y p r a y t h e c o u r t t o i s s u e a t e m p o r a r y r e s t r a i n i n g
o r d e r and a f t e r a p p r o p r i a t e h e a r i n g , a p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c
t i o n a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e p r a y e r s
o f Count s I and I I o f t h e v e r i f i e d c o m o l a i n t f i l e d h e r e i n
and i n s u p p o r t o f t h e s e m o t i o n s say as f o l l o w s :
1 . A l l o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Counts I and I I o f t h e
v e r i f i e d c o m p l a i n t a r e r e a l l e g e d h e r e i n as t h ou gh f u l l y se t
f o r t h , and t h e r e a r e a t t a c h e d h e r e t o , marked, r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
E x h i b i t s A t h r o u g h E, a f f i d a v i t s o f s e v e r a l o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s
i n s u p p o r t o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e v e r i f i e d com
p l a i n t , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e r u l e s and p r a c t i c e o f t h i s
Court .
2 . The c o n d u c t o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s c o m p l a i n e d o f i n
23 .
t h i s c a s e i s c o n t i n u o u s , v i o l e n t , t h r e a t e n i n g , i n t i m i d a t i n g
24 .
(R31) h a r a s s i n g and t h e d e f e n d a n t s have used and a r e u s i n g e f f e c
t i v e l y t h e f o r c e and power o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i i n
v i o l a t i o n o f t he c o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , and more
p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t h e r e t o , t o v i o l a t e ,
impair and f r u s t r a t e t h e e x e r c i s e o f p r e s e n t and immediate
r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d t o t h e p l a i n t i f f s by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t he
Uni ted S t a t e s .
3 . Not o n l y a r e t h e d e f e n d a n t s making use o f t h e
p o l i c e power in t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i f o r t h i s i l l e g a l
p u r p o s e , but on June 6 , 1 9 63 , w i t h o u t n o t i c e o r o p p o r t u n i t y
t o be h e a r d , t h e C ha nc er y Court o f Hinds C o u nt y , l i k e w i s e
a c t i n g p ur su an t t o or i n c o n d o n a t i o n o f t h e p o l i c y o f misuse
o f s t a t e power c o m p l a i n e d o f h e r e i n , e n t e r e d a b ro a d and
sweeping t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t some o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s
and o t h e r p e r s o n s , seme o f whom a t l e a s t , have no c o n n e c t i o n ,
d i r e c t o r i n d i r e c t w i t h t h e p l a i n t i f f s . That i n j u n c t i o n p r o
h i b i t s c e r t a i n named p e r s o n s and a group v a g u e l y d e s c r i b e d
f rom an i n d e f i n i t e , v a g u e , c o u r s e o f c o n d u c t , g e n e r a l l y
c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e d e f e n d a n t s a s i l l e g a l and u n l a w f u l . A
copy o f t h a t i n j u n c t i o n i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o marked E x h i b i t F .
4 . In t r u t h and i n f a c t , i t i s t h e i n t e n t i o n o f the
d e f e n d a n t s and t h e Chance ry Court o f Hinds County t o f u r t h e r
i n t i m i d a t e and h a r a s s p l a i n t i f f s and t o p r e v e n t them from
e x e r c i s i n g r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f
the U n i t e d S t a t e s by u s e o f t h e ex p a r t e i n j u n c t i v e d e v i c e .
5 . With t h e c o u r t s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i
i g n o r i n g t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s i n t h e
p r o s e c u t i o n s o f p l a i n t i f f s , and t h e members o f t h e c l a s s which
they r e p r e s e n t , and t h e Chancery Court o f Hinds County a b u s i n g
the e q u i t y p r o c e s s o f t h e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i , i t i s a p p a r e n t
that t h e r e i s no remedy a v a i l a b l e t o p l a i n t i f f s , and t h e c l a s s
they r e p r e s e n t , i n t h e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
6 . Any d e l a y i n r e s t r a i n i n g t h e c o n d u c t o f t h e d e f e n d
ants c o m p l a i n e d o f w i l l i t s e l f amount t o a d e n i a l t o p l a i n t i f f s
o f r i g h t s p r o t e c t e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n and Laws o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , as a p p e a r s f r om t h e f a c t t h a t t h e B i l l o f I n j u n c t i o n
f i l e d by d e f e n d a n t s i s not r e t u r n a b l e i n t h e C h an ce ry Court
o f Hinds C ount y , M i s s i s s i p p i , u n t i l t h e Sept ember Term, 1 9 63 ,
which d o e s not b e g i n u n t i l t h e s e c o n d Monday i n S e p t e m b e r ,
1963 .
7. No i n j u r y t o t h e p u b l i c o r t h e d e f e n d a n t s w i l l be
s u s t a i n e d by t h e i s s u a n c e o f t h e t e m p o r a r y r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r
or p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n as p r a y e d f o r h e r e i n . I n d e e d t he
i n t e r e s t o f t h e p u b l i c w i l l be f o s t e r e d and f u r t h e r e d as a
breakdown i n p r o t e c t i o n o f c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s a v a i l a b l e t o
a l l w i l l be a v e r t e d . The d e f e n d a n t s w i l l m e r e l y be r e q u i r e d
to comply w i t h t h e d u t y incumbent upon a l l s t a t e o f f i c e r s , a
duty t h e y have sworn t o be bound b y - - n a m e l y t o e x e r c i s e s t a t e
26
power i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h t h e d i c t a t e s o f t h e F o u r t e e n t h
Amendment t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
WHEREFORE p l a i n t i f f s r e s p e c t f u l l y p ra y t h i s Court f o r
a t emp ora ry r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r and p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n in
a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e r u l e s and s t a t u t e s p r o v i d e d and i n a c c o r d
ance w i t h t h e p r a y e r s o f t h e c o m p l a i n t h e r e i n .
R e s p e c t f u l l y s u b m i t t e d ,
/ s / C a r s i e A . H a l l ___________
JACK H. YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
l l 5 j N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 4 0t h S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New York
JACK GREENBERG
LEROY D. CLARK
DERRICK A . BELL
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
WILLIAM R . MING, J R .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
Chi ca go 2 , I l l i n o i s
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
W a s h i n g t o n 1 , D. C.
R. JESS BROWN
125^ Nort h F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , 1 , M i s s i s s i p p i
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFFS
(R 3 3)
(R 3 4)
2 7 .
VERIFICATION
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
)
COUNTY OF HINDS )
Medgar E v e r s , b e i n g f i r s t d u l y sworn, says t h a t he i s
one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a u s e , and t h a t he has rea d t he
above and f o r e g o i n g m o t i o n , and t h a t a l l o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s
c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o t he b e s t o f h i s i n f o r m a t i o n ,
knowledge and b e l i e f .
BY_____ / s / Medgar W. E v e r s _______
Sworn t o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6t h day o f J u n e , 1 9 63 .
/ s / H. C. Latham______ ______
Not ary P u b l i c
My c o mm is s i on e x p i r e s May 27 , 1 9 6 7 .
NOTICE OF MOTION
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE t ha t t h e u n d e r s i g n e d a t t o r n e y s f o r
p l a i n t i f f s w i l l b r i n g on t h e a t t a c h e d m o t i o n f o r p r e l i m i n a r y
i n j u n c t i o n b e f o r e t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t Court i n t h e
Southern D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s s i p p i , J a c k s o n D i v i s i o n on t h e
7th day o f J un e 1 9 6 3 . a t 2 : P.M. o r as soon t h e r e a f t e r as
c o u n s e l can be h e a r d .
R e s p e c t f u l l y s u b m i t t e d
/ s / C a r s i e A. H a l l
JACK YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
115^ N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R. JESS BROWN
1252 N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
ROBERT CARTER
BARBARA MORRIS
20 West 4 0t h S t r e e t
New Y o r k , New York
JACK GREENBERG
LEROY D. CLARK
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New Y o r k , New York
WILLIAM R . MING J r .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
W a s h i n g t o n , D. C.
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
* * * * * * * * * * * *
EXHIBIT A
AFFIDAVIT OF WILLIE B. LUDDEN
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
HINDS COUNTY
CITY OF JACKSON
) SS :
)
B e f o r e me p e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d W i l l i e B. Ludden who
a f t e r f i r s t b e i n g d u l y sworn d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . He i s a Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s p e r
manent ly r e s i d i n g a t 859^ Hunter S t r e e t , A t l a n t a , G e o r g i a
(N.W.) .
2 . He i s employ ed as a Y out h F i e l d S e c r e t a r y by th(
N a t i o na l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e
2 9 .
3 . On Wednesday , May 2 9 , 1 9 63 , he and f i v e o t h e r
p e r so ns were w a l k i n g s i n g l e f i l e , f o u r y a r d s a p a r t on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i i n f r o n t o f t h e Woo lwor th
Department S t o r e . The group was c a r r y i n g p l a c a r d s which r ea d
” We d o n ’ t buy on C a p i t o l S t r e e t - NAACP . ” The group o f s i x
p e r s o n s i n no way o b s t r u c t e d t he s t r e e t and were w a l k i n g in
an o r d e r l y manner near t h e c u r b .
4 . About f o u r mi nut es a f t e r t he group began t o p i c k e t ,
20 J a c k s o n p o l i c e m e n i n u n i f o r m came up t o t h e group and put
them under a r r e s t and c h a r g e d them w i t h o b s t r u c t i n g t r a f f i c .
To o b t a i n h i s r e l e a s e d e p o n e n t , and each o f t h e o t h e r s , was
o b l i g e d t o make a c a sh bond i n t h e amount o f $ 1 0 0 . 0 0 . That
charge i s p r e s e n t l y p e nd i n g i n t he C i t y Court o f J a c k s o n .
5 . On F r i d a y , May 3 1 , 1 963 , d eponen t l e f t a mass
meeting at F a r i s h S t r e e t B a p t i s t Church i n J a c k s o n at a p p r o x i
mately 4 : 3 0 P .M. and p r o c e e d e d w i t h a group o f o t h e r p e r s o n s
down F a r i s h S t r e e t . The g r o u p , which i n c l u d e d a bo ut 350 p e r
so ns , was ma rc hi ng two a b r e a s t , w i t h each rank a p p r o x i m a t e l y
f i v e y a r d s a p a r t , i n an o r d e r l y p e a c e f u l f a s h i o n , l e a v i n g
I
room f o r o t h e r p e r s o n s t o use t h e p u b l i c way which t h e group
was t r a v e r s i n g . Each member o f t h e group c a r r i e d an Amer i can
f l a g and a s i g n w h i c h s t a t e d " L e t ’ s wi pe out d i s c r i m i n a t i o n
in J a c k s o n " o r " Fre ed om and j u s t i c e f o r a l l " o r " Freedom i n
J a c k s o n " o r s i m i l a r s l o g a n s . The s o l e p u r p o s e o f deponen t
and t he o t h e r members o f t h e group was t o v o i c e p u b l i c l y
(R17) t h e i r p r o t e s t a g a i n s t t h e use o f t h e power o f t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i t o e s t a b l i s h and m ai n t a i n r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m mo da t i on and i n t h e
use o f p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i . B e f o r e the
group had t r a v e r s e d one c i t y b l o c k f r o m t h e c h u r c h , d eponen t
who was a t t h e head o f t h e group was c o n f r o n t e d by more than
100 J a c k s o n , c o u n t y and s t a t e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s in u n i f o r m .
One o f t h o s e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s , whose name i s not known t o
d e po ne n t , i n q u i r e d o f d e po ne n t wh e t h e r t h e group had a pe rm it
to p a r a d e . Deponent i n f o r m e d him t h a t an e f f o r t t o s e c u r e
such a p e r m i t had not b e e n a n s w e r e d . The J a c k s o n p o l i c e
° f f ^ c e r s d i r e c t e d d e po n e n t and o t h e r s i n t h e group t o r e t u r n
in t he d i r e c t i o n f ro m wh ich t h e y had come. Deponent i n f o r m e d
the p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t h a t i t was h i s i n t e n t i o n t o p r o c e e d in
the d i r e c t i o n he was headed and deponen t resumed w a l k i n g down
the s t r e e t . The J a c k s o n p o l i c e o f f i c e r s i n t h e f i r s t rank o f
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s who had c o n f r o n t e d d e p o n e n t s e p a r a t e d t o
permit d e po ne n t t o p a s s t h r o u g h t h e i r l i n e s . When d e po ne n t
had done s o , he was s u r r o u n d e d by J a c k s o n p o l i c e o f f i c e r s ,
some o f whom, whose names a r e not known t o d e p o n e n t , b e a t
deponent a b o u t t h e arms and s h o u l d e r s w i t h c l u b s and f i s t s
and a t t e m p t e d t o r e s t f r om h i s hands t h e Ame r i ca n f l a g w h ic h
deponent c a r r i e d . One p o l i c e o f f i c e r , whose name i s not
3 0 .
31 .
(R18)
known to d e p o n e n t , put h i s n i g h t s t i c k a c r o s s d e p o n e n t ’ s
neck and p u l l e d d epo ne nt t o t h e g r o u n d . Two o t h e r o f f i c e r s ,
n e i t h e r o f whose names a r e known t o d e p o n e n t , k i c k e d d epo ne nt
and h i t him a bout t h e arms , l e g s and stomach w i t h f i s t s and
c l u b s .
6 . A f t e r h i s a r r e s t and w h i l e i n c a r c e r a t e d , d e po ne n t
was r e f u s e d a c c e s s t o a d o c t o r when he r e q u e s t e d i t . Deponent
was o b l i g e d t o make bond o f $ 1 0 0 . 0 0 t o o b t a i n h i s r e l e a s e . On
the same day d epo ne nt was examined by Dr. A. B. B r i t t o n and
found t o have numerous b r u i s e s a bout t h e b o d y .
7 . On t h e o c c a s i o n o f b o t h a r r e s t s , on May 2 8 , 1 963 ,
and May 3 1 , 1 9 63 , t h e d e po n e n t and h i s group were a t t e m p t i n g
o n l y t o p r o t e s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i , and were a t t e m p t i n g t o a d d r e s s t h e p u b l i c and
p e t i t i o n t h e c i t y government i n p e a c e f u l and o r d e r l y f a s h i o n
f o r r e d r e s s o f t h e i r g r i e v a n c e s and were p r e v e n t e d f r om d o i n g
so by t h e i r a r r e s t s by p o l i c e o f f i c e r s o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i as d e s c r i b e d a b o v e .
8 . Deponent d e s i r e s t o engage i n p e a c e f u l and o r d e r l y
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n p r o t e s t a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e
future.
SIGNED ; / s / W i l l i e B 0 Ludden_______
Sworn t o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6 t h day- o f June 1 9 6 3 .
(R19)
/ s / H. C. Latham____
No ta ry P u b l i c
My commi ss i on e x p i r e s May 27, 1 9 6 7 .
* * * * * * * * * * * *
EXHIBIT B
AFFIDAVIT OF REV. RALPH EDWIN KING
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
HINDS COUNTY ) S S :
CITY OF JACKSON )
B e f o r e me p e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d R ever end R al ph Edwin
King who a f t e r f i r s t b e i n g d u l y sworn d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . He i s a w h i t e c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , and
i s t he C h a p l a i n and permanent r e s i d e n t a t T o u g a l o o C o l l e g e ,
T o u g a l o o , M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . On T h u r s d a y , May 3 0 , 1 9 63 , at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 : 1 5
P.M. d epo nen t and 13 o t h e r p e r s o n s , b o t h Negro and w h i t e , and
i n c l u d i n g b o t h r e s i d e n t s and c i t i z e n s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i , and r e s i d e n t s and c i t i z e n s o f o t h e r s t a t e s i n t h e
Uni ted S t a t e s , a s s e m b l e d i n t h e F e d e r a l P o s t O f f i c e B u i l d i n g
in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f c o n d u c t i n g a p r a y e r
s e r v i c e on t h e s t e p s o f t h a t b u i l d i n g t o p r a y f o r the end o f
r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i and t h e c e s s a t i o n
o f p o l i c e b r u t a l i t y at L a n i e r High S c h o o l i n t h e same c i t y .
3 . When t h e group had a s s e m b l e d d e p o n e n t and t he
o the r members o f t h e group s t e p p e d t h r o u g h t h e d o o r o f t h e
b u i l d i n g and wer e c o n f r o n t e d by a crowd o f s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d
32 .
33 .
pe rso ns on and around t h e s t e p s o f t h e b u i l d i n g . A l a r g e
number o f o t h e r p e r s o n s had s i m i l a r l y g a t h e r e d i n s i d e t he
b u i l d i n g and b e h i n d t h e d eponent and h i s a s s o c i a t e s .
4 . When t h e de po ne nt and o t h e r members o f t h e group
stopped on t h e p l a z a o f t h e b u i l d i n g and began t o p r a y f rom
10 t o 15 u n i f o r m e d J a c k s o n p o l i c e o f f i c e r s demanded t h a t the
group l e a v e t h e a r e a . When t h e group d i d not do so and c o n
t i n ue d p r a y i n g t h e s e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a r r e s t e d a l l o f t h e mem
bers o f t h e g r o u p .
5 . Deponent and t h e o t h e r members o f t h e group were
charged w i t h b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e and w i t h o b s t r u c t i n g t h e
e n t ra nc e t o a p u b l i c b u i l d i n g . Whi l e d e po ne n t was p r e s e n t t h e
(R20) p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t o o k no a c t i o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e crowd
which had g a t h e r e d .
6 . The s o l e i n t e n t i o n o f d e p o n e n t and t h e group was
t o e x e r c i s e t h e i r r i g h t s o f r e l i g i o u s w o r s h i p and f r e e sp e ec h
g uarant eed by t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f
the U n i t e d S t a t e s and t h e s e r i g h t s wer e e f f e c t i v e l y d e s t r o y e d
by t h e i r a r r e s t s on May 28 , 1 9 6 3 .
7 . In o r d e r t o o b t a i n h i s r e l e a s e d ep one nt and each
of the o t h e r members o f t h e group was o b l i g e d t o p o s t a cash
bond o f $ 5 0 0 . 0 0 e a c h . Only t h r e e o f t h e group we r e r e l e a s e d
on t he day o f t h e i r a r r e s t . The r e m a i n d e r were o b l i g e d t o
remain i n c u s t o d y u n t i l t h e next d a y . On June 5, 1 9 6 3 ,
3 4 .
(R21)
deponent and each o f t h e o t h e r members o f t h e group was c o n
v i c t e d i n t h e C i t y Court o f J a c k s o n and f i n e d $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 and
s ent enc ed t o f o u r months i n t h e County J a i l . In o r d e r t o
remain a t l i b e r t y p e n d i n g a p p e a l , d e po n e n t and each o f t h e
o ther members o f t he group has been o b l i g e d t o p o s t a cash
bond o f $ 5 0 0 . 0 0 . . ;
8 . Deponent d e s i r e s p e a c e f u l l y and p u b l i c l y i n t h e
f u t u r e t o p r a y f o r t h e end o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and t h e abuse
o f p o l i c e p r o c e s s e s .
SIGNED: / s / R e v . R al ph Edwin King
Sworn t o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6t h day o f June 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / H. C. Latham_____________
Not ary P u b l i c
My Commission e x p i r e s May 27 , 1 9 6 7 .
t t - f r * * * * * * * * * *
EXHIBIT C
AFFIDAVIT OF DORIS ALLISON
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
HINDS COUNTY ) SS:
CITY OF JACKSON )
B e f o r e me p e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d D o r i s A l l i s o n who a f t e r
f i r s t b e i n g d u l y sworn d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . Deponent i s an a d u l t Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t es p e r m a n e n t l y r e s i d i n g a t 2927 B ooker W a sh in gt o n S t r e e t ,
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
35.
2 . On May 2 9 , 1 9 63 , at 1 2 : 1 5 P . M . , t h e d e po ne n t and
f i v e o t h e r p e r s o n s a t t e m p t e d t o p i c k e t t h e Woo l wor th s t o r e on
C a p i t o l S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i . The d eponent and t h e
group wa lk ed i n s i n g l e f i l e on t h e s i d e w a l k i n f r o n t o f t h e
Woolworth s t o r e c a r r y i n g s i g n s p r o t e s t i n g a g a i n s t r a c i a l d i s
c r i m i n a t i o n p r a c t i c e d by t h e Woo lwor th s t o r e . The s i g n which
deponent c a r r i e d b o r e t h e l e g e n d , " D o n ’ t Shop On C a p i t o l
S t r e e t . "
3 . At no t i m e d i d deponent and h e r group b l o c k t h e
s idewalk so as t o p r e v e n t i t s normal u s e .
4 . Deponent and her a s s o c i a t e s had been p i c k e t i n g
f o r about two or t h r e e mi nu te s when e i g h t or t e n u n i f o r m e d
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s , i n c l u d i n g C a p t a i n Ray , Deputy C h i e f o f t h e
Jackson P o l i c e De pa rt ment , a r r e s t e d d e po ne n t and t h e o t h e r
p ersons w i t h her and c h a r g e d them w i t h o b s t r u c t i n g t r a f f i c
in v i o l a t i o n o f S e c t i o n 134 o f t h e J a c k s o n t r a f f i c c o d e . In
order t o o b t a i n t h e i r r e l e a s e s , d epo ne nt and her a s s o c i a t e s
were each o b l i g e d t o p o s t a ca sh bond o f $ 1 00 . Those c h a r g e s
a g a i n s t d epo ne nt and her a s s o c i a t e s a r e p r e s e n t l y p e n d i n g i n
the C i t y C o ur t o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
5 . Deponent sought o n l y t o e x e r c i s e her r i g h t t o
p r o t e s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n which r i g h t i s p r o t e c t e d by t h e
F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
SIGNED i / s / D o r i s A l l i s o n _________
36
(R22)
Sworn t o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6t h day o f J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / H. C. Latham___________
Notary P u b l i c
My c ommi ss i on e x p i r e s May 27 , 1 9 6 7 .
* * * * * * * * * * * *
EXHIBIT D
AFFIDAVIT OF DORIS ANNETTE ERSKINE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
HINDS COUNTY ) SS:
CITY OF JACKSON )
B e f o r e me p e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d D o r i s A n n e t t e E r s k i n e
who a f t e r f i r s t b e i n g d u l y sworn d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . Deponent i s an a d u l t Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t es p e r m a n e n t l y r e s i d i n g a t 524 West P a s c a g o u l a , J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i ;
2 . On T u e s d a y , May 2 8 , 1 9 6 3 , at a bo ut 1 1 : 3 0 A .M„ ,
deponent and t h r e e o t h e r Ne groe s e n t e r e d P r i m o ’ s R e s t a u r a n t
on C a p i t o l S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i . That r e s t a u r a n t
c u s t o m a r i l y r e f u s e s t o s e r v e any but w h i t e p e r s o n s . The
deponent and her a s s o c i a t e s r e q u e s t e d s e r v i c e . They were
r e f u s e d s e r v i c e by some p e r s o n whose name i s no t known t o
d epo ne nt . That p e r s o n r e q u e s t e d d epo ne nt and t h e o t h e r s t o
l e a v e . Deponent r e f u s e d t o do so and r emaine d on t h e p r e m i s e s
f o r about t h r e e m i n u t e s u n t i l two J a c k s o n p o l i c e o f f i c e r s in
un i f o rm , one o f whom was C a p t a i n Ray , t h e o t h e r o f f i c e r Ts name
not b e i n g known to d e p o n e n t , a r r e s t e d d epo ne nt and t h e t h r e e
o ther p e r s o n s w i t h her and c h a r g e d them w i t h t r e s p a s s . De
ponent and t h e o t h e r p e r s o n s were o b l i g e d t o make a ca sh bond
o f $100 i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n t h e i r r e l e a s e f r om c u s t o d y .
3 . On or a b o ut June 3 , d eponen t was t r i e d in t h e C i t y
Court o f J a c k s o n , c o n v i c t e d and s e n t e n c e d t o pay a f i n e o f
$500 and s e r v e s i x months i n t h e County J a i l . Deponent has
f i l e d an a p p e a l f r o m t h a t s e n t e n c e and has p o s t e d a bond o f
$1,000 i n o r d e r t o c o n t i n u e h er f r e e d o m p e n d i n g a p p e a l .
4 . Deponent was s e e k i n g s o l e l y t o p r o t e s t r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n i n p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n i n t h e C i t y o f
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i and t e n d e r e d h er r e q u e s t f o r s e r v i c e i n
Pr imo ’ s R e s t a u r a n t as an a t t e m p t t o communicate t o t h e owners
and managers o f t h a t r e s t a u r a n t t h e i l l e g a l i t y o f t h e use o f
the powers o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o m a i n t a i n a system
of r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n .
5 . At a l l t i m e s d u r i n g t h e p r e s e n c e o f d e po n e n t and
her a s s o c i a t e s on t h e p r e m i s e s o f P r i m o ’ s R e s t a u r a n t , deponen t
was in no way d i s o r d e r l y or b o i s t e r o u s . N i e t h e r was any o f
d e p o n e n t ’ s a s s o c i a t e s .
SIGNED:__ / s / D o r i s A n n e t t e E r s k i n e
Sworn t o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6 th day o f J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
- / s / H. C . Latham__________
Notary P u b l i c
My commiss io n e x p i r e s May 2 7 , 1 9 6 7 .
38 .
(R2 4) EXHIBIT E
AFFIDAVIT OF MEDGAR EVERS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
HINDS COUNTY ) S S :
CITY OF JACKSON )
B e f o r e me p e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d Medgar E ve rs who a f t e r
f i r s t b e i n g d u l y sworn d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . Deponent i s an a d u l t Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d
St a te s p e r m a n e n t l y r e s i d i n g at 2332 Guynes Avenue , J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . He i s a F i e l d S e c r e t a r y f o r t he N a t i o n a l A s s o
c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e ( NAACP) , and i n
t h i s c a p a c i t y , w h i c h he has h e l d f o r 9 y e a r s , has c o o r d i n a t e d
the a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e 22 b r a n c h e s o f t h e NAACP o p e r a t i n g in
the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , has i n v e s t i g a t e d and p r e p a r e d
r e p o r t s and i n f o r m a t i o n a l m a t e r i a l on r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n
the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and has p e r f o r m e d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and
fund r a i s i n g d u t i e s f o r t h e NAACP.
3 . The NAACP i s a n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s e e k i n g t o
secure f o r Amer ica n N e g r o e s t h e i r r i g h t s as g u a r a n t e e d by t h e
C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . I t s aims as s e t f o r t h in
i t s A r t i c l e s o f I n c o r p o r a t i o n a r e n . . . v o l u n t a r i l y t o p r o
mote e q u a l i t y o f r i g h t s and e r a d i c a t e c a s t e or r a c e p r e j u d i c e
among t h e c i t i z e n s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ; t o a d v a n c e t h e i n t e r
est o f c o l o r e d c i t i z e n s ; t o s e r v e f o r them i m p a r t i a l s u f f r a g e ;
39.
and t o i n c r e a s e t h e i r o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r s e c u r i n g j u s t i c e in
the c o u r t s , e d u c a t i o n f o r t h e i r c h i l d r e n , employment a c c o r d i n g
t o t h e i r a b i l i t y , and c o m p l e t e e q u a l i t y b e f o r e t he l a w . ”
4 . Deponent and t h e NAACP f o r a l o n g p e r i o d o f t i m e
have worked a c t i v e l y i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i t o e l i m i n a t e
r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n in employment , p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n s ,
and a l l p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s o p e r a t e d by t h e C i t y i n c l u d i n g
par ks , l i b r a r i e s , t r a v e l f a c i l i t i e s and t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l s ,
and the use o f t h e power o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o main
t a i n and e n f o r c e r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n .
5 . Deponent s t a t e s t h a t d u r i n g a 10 day p e r i o d f rom
May 28, 1 9 63 , t o June 6 , 1 9 6 3 , h e , a l o n g with members and
s u p p o r t e r s o f t h e NAACP, c o n d u c t e d an e x t e n s i v e campaign t o
d emonst rate p u b l i c l y but p e a c e f u l l y and i n a c c o r d a n c e with
(R25) t h e i r C o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s , t h e i r d e s i r e f o r a change i n
the p o l i c y o f r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n wh ich p o l i c y , p r a c t i c e
and custom i s e n f o r c e d by p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s i n t h e C i t y o f
J ac ks on .
6 . The n at u r e o f t h e p r o t e s t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s a t t e m p t
ed by d ep one nt and o t h e r s have i n c l u d e d p i c k e t i n g p a r a d e s
and r e q u e s t s f o r s e r v i c e a t e a t i n g p l a c e s l o c a t e d i n t he
b u s i n e s s s e c t i o n o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n . A l l o f such p r o
t e s t s were t o be c o n d u c t e d i n a p e a c e f u l manner , but a c t i n g
in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h i t s p o l i c y o f m a i n t a i n i n g r a c i a l
40
s e g r e g a t i o n t h e C i t y t h r o u g h i t s p o l i c e depart ment a d o p t e d and
s u b j e c t e d deponen t and NAACP members and s u p p o r t e r s w i t h a
p o l i c y o f " i n s t a n t a r r e s t s " under w h i ch p o l i c y d epo ne nt and
more t han 600 o t h e r p e r s o n s who sought p e a c e f u l l y t o p r o t e s t
r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n wer e a r r e s t e d , j a i l e d , and most were
c o n v i c t e d i n t h e s t a t e c o u r t s , o f v a r i o u s o f f e n s e s wh ich none
had committ ed .
7 . Deponent s t a t e s t h a t t o t h e b e s t o f h i s knowledge
and b e l i e f the a f o r e s a i d p r o t e s t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s t o o k t h e f o l
l owing f o r m s :
a . On May 2 8 , 1 9 6 3 , t h r e e NAACP members a t t e m p t e d t o
purchase f o o d at a l u n c h c o u n t e r i n t h e W o o l w o r t h ’ s Department
s t o r e on C a p i t o l S t r e e t and were r e f u s e d s e r v i c e . S u b s e q u e n t l y
they were a t t a c k e d and h a r a s s e d by w h i t e o n l o o k e r s , and one
o f t he g ro up was s e v e r l y b e a t e n and was t h e n a r r e s t e d by
Ci ty P o l i c e . On t h e same d a t e , f i v e o t h e r NAACP members
a t tempted t o p e a c e f u l l y p i c k e t P e n n e y ’ s Department s t o r e on
C a p i t o l S t r e e t c a r r y i n g s i g n s c a l l i n g f o r an end t o r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n . They were a r r e s t e d w i t h i n f i v e
minutes by J a c k s o n p o l i c e .
b . On May 2 9 , 1 9 63 , n i n e NAACP members and s u p p o r t e r s
at tempted t o o b t a i n s e r v i c e a t P r i mo s R e s t a u r a n t , and p i c k e t
ed Pe nn ey ’ s Department s t o r e . They we r e a r r e s t e d by C i t y
p o l i c e .
4 1 .
c . On May 30, 1 9 6 3 , 14 NAACP members and s u p p o r t e r s
at tempted t o h o l d a p r o t e s t p r a y e r m e e t i n g on t h e p u b l i c
steps o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Po s t O f f i c e B u i l d i n g on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t . They were i m m e d i a t e l y a r r e s t e d by C i t y p o l i c e .
d . On May 31, 1 9 6 3 , a p p r o x i m a t e l y 350 J a c k s o n Neg ro es
i n c l u d i n g NAACP members, a t t e m p t e d t o h o l d a p r o t e s t march
(R26) from t h e F a r i s h S t r e e t B a p t i s t Church t o wa r d t h e downtown
b u s in e ss d i s t r i c t . The m a r c h e r s c a r r i e d s i g n s p r o t e s t i n g
s e g r e g a t i o n , but w i t h i n f i v e minut es a f t e r l e a v i n g t h e Church
were met, h a l t e d and a r r e s t e d by C i t y , Count y and S t a t e p o l i c e
e . On June 1 , 1 9 6 3 , t h r e e p e r s o n s , t h e d e p o n e n t , Roy
W i l k i n s , NAACP E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y , and one o t h e r NAACP sup
p o r t e r a t t e m p t e d t o p i c k e t t h e W o o l w o r t h ’ s Department S t o r e
c a r r y i n g a n t i - s e g r e g a t i o n s i g n s and wer e i m m e d i a t e l y a r r e s t e d
by C i t y p o l i c e , c h a r g e d w i t h r e s t r a i n t o f t r a d e and r e q u i r e d
to p l a c e $ 1 , 0 0 0 c a sh bo nds each to o b t a i n t h e i r r e l e a s e f rom
cus tody .
f . On June 3 , 1 9 6 3 , s i x p r o t e s t p i c k e t s a p p e a r e d on
C a p i t o l S t r e e t c a r r y i n g s i g n s c a l l i n g f o r d e s e g r e g a t i o n and
were i m m e d i a t e l y a r r e s t e d by C i t y p o l i c e .
g . On June 4 , 1 9 6 3 , 33 p e r s o n s a t t e m p t e d t o p i c k e t
and he ld a p r a y e r d e m o n s t r a t i o n i n f r o n t o f t h e C i t y H a l l and
were i m m e d i a t e l y a r r e s t e d by C i t y p o l i c e .
h. On June 5, 1 9 6 3 , n i n e p e r s o n s w e a r i n g s h i r t s
4 2 .
(R27)
c o n t a i n i n g t h e l e t t e r s "NAACP" and c a r r y i n g Amer i can f l a g s
attempted t o walk on C a p i t o l S t r e e t and were i m m e d i a t e l y
a r r e s t e d by C i t y p o l i c e .
8 . Deponent s t a t e s t h a t c a sh b onds r a n g i n g f r om $100
to $1 ,000 wer e r e q u i r e d by C i t y o f f i c i a l s f o r t h e r e l e a s e o f
deponent and o t h e r p e r s o n s a r r e s t e d and j a i l e d f o r a t t e m p t i n g
to p r o t e s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n which bonds t o d a t e have
exceeded $ 4 5 , 0 0 0 and have c a u s e d a s e r i o u s d r a i n on t h e f i n a n
c i a l r e s o u r c e s o f t h e NAACP.
9 . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e C i t y ’ s p r a c t i c e o f s u b j e c t i n g
deponent and NAACP members and s u p p o r t e r s t o i n s t a n t a r r e s t
and harassment f o r a t t e m p t i n g p e a c e f u l l y t o p r o t e s t t h e
p o l i c y o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n has had t h e e f f e c t o f i n t i m i d a t
ing Negro c i t i z e n s o f J a c k s o n and r e s u l t s i n t h e i r u n w i l l i n g
submiss ion t o t h e C i t y ’ s c o n t i n u e d u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p o l i c y o f
r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n b e c a u s e t h e y f e a r a r r e s t and harassment
by C i t y p o l i c e i f t h e y s e ek t o e x e r c i s e r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d
them by t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
1 0 . As a r e s u l t o f t h e p o l i c i e s and p r a c t i c e s a d o p t e d
and f o l l o w e d by t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n t o s u p p r e s s p e a c e f u l p r o
t e s t s by t h e NAACP, i t s members and f r i e n d s , d e po ne n t and
other NAACP o f f i c i a l s have sp ent t r e m e nd o us amounts o f t i m e ,
energy and money o b t a i n i n g t h e r e l e a s e on b a i l o f p e r s o n s
a r r e s t e d and a r r a n g i n g f o r and a p p e a r i n g a t h e a r i n g s , t r i a l s
43
(R28)
and o t h e r p r o c e e d i n g s r e s u l t i n g d i r e c t l y f rom t h e C i t y ’ s
p o l i c y o f a r r e s t i n g such p r o t e s t o r s i n v i o l a t i o n o f t h e i r c o n
s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s .
SIGNED:__ / s / ___Medgar W. Evers_______
Sworn and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 6 day o f J u ne , 1 9 6 3 .
/s/ H . C . Latham_____
Notary P u b l i c
My commiss ion e x p i r e s May 2 7 , 1 9 6 7 .
t t - H - t t * - * * * * * # * *
EXHIBIT F
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL
DISTRICT OF HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
CITY OF JACKSON, A M u n i c i p a l C o r p o r a t i o n
of t he S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , COMPLAINANT
VS. NO. 63429
JOHN R. SALTER, J R . , ET AL. DEFENDANTS
WRIT OF TEMPORARY INJUNCTION
TO JOHN R . SALTER, J R . , DICK GREGORY,
RALPH E. KING, J R . , DR. A . D. BEITTEL,
JAMES WILSON JONES, CHARLES JONES, GLOSTER
B. CURRENT, MERCEDES WRIGHT, MEDGAR EVERS,
WILLIE LUDON, DAVE DENNIS j JOHNNY FRAZIER,
BETTE POOLE, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, A
C o r p o r a t i o n , CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY,
A C o r p o r a t i o n , THE TRUSTEES OF TOUGALOO
UNIVERSITY, A C o r p o r a t i o n , THEIR AGENTS,
MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEYS, SUCCESSORS,
and ALL OTHER PERSONS IN ACTIVE CONCERT
WITH THEM:
WHEREAS, t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n , a m u n i c i p a l c o r p o r a t i o n
of the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , has f i l e d i t s B i l l i n t h e a b ov e
Court a g a i n s t you and o t h e r s , p r a y i n g f o r an i n j u n c t i o n i n
the m a t t e r s h e r e i n a f t e r s e t o u t ; and
WHEREAS, The Cha ncery Court o f the F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s
t r i c t o f Hinds C o u n t y , M i s s i s s i p p i , has d i r e c t e d a t e m p o r a r y
i n j u n c t i o n to i s s u e as t h e r e i n p r a y e d , i t s f i a t t h e r e f o r b e i n g
endorsed on s a i d B i l l , d i r e c t i n g t h e t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n t o
i s s ue upon t h e e x e c u t i o n by t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n o f a bond
c o n d i t i o n e d a c c o r i n g t o law i n t h e sum o f Two Thousand F i v e
Hundred ( $ 2 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 ) D o l l a r s ; and
WHEREAS, s a i d bond has been g i v e n and a p p r o v e d ;
NOW, THEREFORE, you a r e h e r e b y commanded and t e m p o r a r
i l y e n j o i n e d , u n t i l f u r t h e r o r d e r o f t h i s c o u r t , f r om e n g a g i n g
i n , s p o n s o r i n g , i n c i t i n g o r e n c o u r a g i n g mass s t r e e t p a r a d e s
or mass p r o c e s s i o n s , o r l i k e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s w i t h o u t a p e r m i t ,
unlawful b l o c k i n g o f t h e p u b l i c s t r e e t s or s i d e w a l k s , t r e s
pas s ing on p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y a f t e r b e i n g warned t o l e a v e t h e
premises by t h e owners o r p e r s o n i n p o s s e s s i o n o f s a i d p r i
vate p r o p e r t y , c o n g r e g a t i n g on t h e s t r e e t s or p u b l i c p l a c e s
as mobs, and u n l a w f u l l y p i c k e t i n g b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s o r
p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , Hinds C o u n t y , M i s s i s -
s i p p i , and f ro m p e r f o r m i n g a c t s c a l c u l a t e d t o c a u s e b r e a c h e s
° f the p e a c e i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , Hinds C ount y , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
45
and f rom c o n s p i r i n g t o engage i n u n l a w f u l s t r e e t p a r a d e s ,
unlawful p r o c e s s i o n s , u n l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , u n l a w f u l b o y
c o t t s , u n l a w f u l t r e s p a s s e s , and u n l a w f u l p i c k e t i n g or o t h e r
unlawful a c t s and f ro m e n g a g i n g i n a c t s and c o n d u c t c u s t o m a r i l y
known as ’’ k n e e l - i n * sn i n c h u r c h e s i n v i o l a t i o n o f t h e w i s h e s
and d e s i r e s o f s a i d c h u r c h e s .
You w i l l r e f r a i n f rom d o i n g any o f t h e f o r e g o i n g a c t s
u n t i l t h e f u r t h e r o r d e r o f t h i s C o u r t , upon p e n a l t y o f c o n t e m p t .
WITNESS THE SIGNATURE AND SEAL o f t h e u n d e r s i g n e d , t h i s
6th day o f J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
FRANK T. SCOTT, CHANCERY CLERK
B Y____Ruth May_________ , D . C .
TO THE SHERIFF OR ANY LAWFUL
OFFICER OF HINDS
COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI :
You w i l l e x e c u t e t h e a b o v e w r i t
o f t empo rary i n j u n c t i o n and make
return to the n e x t t erm o f t h i s
Court .
FRANK T. SCOTT, CHANCERY CLERK
BY Ruth May_________ , D.C.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 8 1963)
DEFENDANTS* MOTION TO DISMISS
NOW COME t h e d e f e n d a n t s , A l l e n Thompson, D. L. L uc key ,
Tom M a r s h a l l , W. D. R a y f i e l d , J . L. Ray , M. B. P i e r c e , R. G.
N i c h o l s , J . A. T r a v i s , J . R. G i l f o y , and Paul G. A l e x a n d e r ,
by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , and r e s p e c t f u l l y move t h e Court t o d i s
miss t h i s a c t i o n and t h e c o m p l a i n t f i l e d h e r e i n , and as
g r ou n ds t h e r e f o r a s s i g n t he f o l l o w i n g :
( 1 ) The c o m p l a i n t f a i l s t o s t a t e a c l a i m upon which
r e l i e f can be g r a n t e d .
( 2 ) T h i s i s not a p r o p e r c l a s s a c t i o n .
( 3 ) The p l a i n t i f f s l a c k s t a n d i n g t o m a i n t a i n t h i s
a c t i o n .
( 4 ) The p l a i n t i f f s c a n n o t r e p r e s e n t a c l a s s o f wh ich
t h e y a r e not a p a r t .
( 5 ) The p l a i n t i f f s l a c k s t a n d i n g t o seek i n j u n c t i v e
r e l i e f f o r o t h e r s .
( 6 ) T h i s Court i s w i t h o u t j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r t h e
(R36) p a r t i e s h e r e t o or t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r h e r e o f .
E. W. STENNETT
CITY ATTORNEY
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
THOMAS H. WATKINS
SPECIAL COUNSEL
800 P l a z a B u i l d i n g
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
BY / s J T h o s . H. W a t k i n s ___________ _
ATTORNEYS FOR SAID DEFENDANTS
NOTICE
46 .
The p l a i n t i f f s and t h e i r a t t o r n e y s o f r e c o r d w i l l t a k e
(R37)
n o t i c e t ha t t h e f o r e g o i n g mo t i o n w i l l be c a l l e d up f o r
h e a r i n g b e f o r e t h e Court i n t h e F e d e r a l C ourt ro om i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s P o s t O f f i c e B u i l d i n g , J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
a t 9 : 0 0 a . m . on S a t u r d a y , June 8 , 1 9 63 , o r as soon t h e r e
a f t e r as c o u n s e l can be h e a r d .
/ s / Th o s . H. W a t k i n s ____________
Of C o un se l f o r D e f e n d a n t s
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t s c a r r y p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e wh ich i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
t t t t t t # - # * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 10 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF G. C. CLARK
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
P e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d b e f o r e me G. C. C l a r k , who, a f t e r
b e i n g d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . That he i s a P a t r o l m a n on t h e p o l i c e f o r c e o f
t h e P o l i c e Department o f the C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . On F r i d a y , May 3 l , 1 9 6 3 , at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 : 0 0
p . m . t h e A f f i a n t was a member o f a p o l i c e d e t a i l under t he
command o f Deputy C h i e f J . L. Ray . That t h i s d e t a i l had
b e en a s s i g n e d t o F a r i s h S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p o i , f o r
t h e p u r p o s e o f m a i n t a i n i n g law and o r d e r .
3 . That W i l l i e B. Ludden was one o f t h e l e a d e r s o f
47 .
48 .
an u n r u l y crowd or mob t h a t moved down F a r i s h S t r e e t t owa rd
t h e a b o v e me nt ione d p o l i c e d e t a i l . That t h e mob was l o u d ,
n o i s y and b o i s t e r o u s and r e f u s e d t o obey t h e o r d e r s o f a
s e n i o r p o l i c e o f f i c e r t o d i s p e r s e . That W i l l i e B. Ludden,
one o f t h e l e a d e r s o f t h i s u n r u l y mob or c r o w d , had been
p l a c e d under a r r e s t by L t . C. R. W i l l i a m s o f t h e P o l i c e
Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , and p l a c e d
i n t h e c u s t o d y o f t h e A f f i a n t f o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f p l a c i n g
him i n a p o l i c e v e h i c l e f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t o t h e c i t y j a i l
o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
4 . That t h e a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden a t t e m p t e d
t o f o r c i b l y t a k e t h e r i o t s t i c k f r om a f e l l o w p o l i c e o f f i c e r
and o t h e r w i s e r e s i s t e d a r r e s t . That i t was n e c e s s a r y f o r
t h e A f f i a n t t o use h i s r i o t s t i c k on t h e l e g o f t h e a b o v e
named W i l l i e B. Ludden. The A f f i a n t s t r u c k t h e a b o v e named
(R38) W i l l i e B. Ludden t h r e e t i m e s on t h e l e g and f o r c i b l y c au se d
him t o be p l a c e d i n a p o l i c e v e h i c l e at t h e t i me when t h e
a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden was under a r r e s t . That a t a l l
t i m e s a b o v e m ent i oned t h e a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden was
and c o n t i n u e d a f t e r h i s a r r e s t t o p r o v o k e and e x c i t e the
crowd o r mob i n t o f u r t h e r a c t i o n and r e s i s t a n c e a g a i n s t t h e
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i . That
t h e a f f i a n t used o n l y such f o r c e as was n e c e s s a r y under t h e
c i r c u m s t a n c e s t o subdue t h e a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden
4 9 .
(R39)
(R40)
That t h e A f f i a n t knows o f no i n s t a n c e o f p o l i c e b r u t a l i t y on
t h e o c c a s i o n a b o v e m e n t i o n e d .
5. That t h e a b ov e named W i l l i e B. Ludden was p e r
m i t t e d t o make bond and h i s c a s e i s p r e s e n t l y p e n d i n g in t he
s t a t e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
__ / s / G. C. C l a r k __________________
G. C. CLARK
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s t h e 1 0 t h day o f J u n e ,
1963 .
/ s / Mi l d r e d A. Baker___________
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s :
___1 / 1 6 / 66______________
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e wh ich i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 10 19 63 )
AFFIDAVIT OF C. R . WILSON
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
P e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d b e f o r e me C. R. W i l s o n , who,
a f t e r b e i n g d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . He i s a L i e u t e n a n t o f P o l i c e o f t h e P o l i c e
Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ,
and has been a member o f t h e P o l i c e Department o f t h e C i t y
50.
o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , f o r more t ha n t h i r t e e n y e a r s .
2 . That on F r i d a y , May 3 l , 1 9 6 3 , at a p p r o x i m a t e l y
4 : 0 0 p .m. t h e A f f i a n t was a member o f a p o l i c e d e t a i l under
t h e command o f Deputy C h i e f J . L. Ray. T h i s d e t a i l had been
a s s i g n e d t o F a r i s h S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , f o r t h e
p u r p o s e o f m a i n t a i n i n g law and o r d e r .
3 . The A f f i a n t on t h i s o c c a s i o n d i d a r r e s t one
W i l l i e B. Ludden and o t h e r s in a w i l d , u n r u l y mob. That the
a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden was l e a d i n g the a b o v e m ent i oned
l o u d , n o i s y and b o i s t e r o u s crowd o f p e r s o n s down F a r i s h
S t r e e t . That t h e s e p e r s o n s wer e i n b o t h t h e s t r e e t and
s i d e w a l k s b l o c k i n g p e d e s t r i a n and v e h i c u l a r t r a f f i c .
4 . That t h e A f f i a n t a p p r o a c h e d t h e a b o v e named
W i l l i e B. Ludden who a p p e a r e d t o be one o f t h e l e a d e r s o f
t h e u n r u l y crowd and a s ked him i f he had a p e r m i t t o o a r a d e .
P r i o r t o t h i s , a s e n i o r p o l i c e o f f i c e r had a s k e d t h e crowd
t h r o u g h a l o u d s p e a k e r i f t h e y had a p e r m i t . None o f t h e
group was a b l e t o p r e s e n t a p e r m i t t o p a r a d e and t h e u n r u l y
( R 4 l ) crowd was o r d e r e d t o d i s p e r s e by l o u d s p e a k e r . T h i s was not
d o n e . At t h i s p o i n t t h e A f f i a n t a p p r o a c h e d t h e a b o v e named
W i l l i e B. Ludden and a g a i n a s k ed him t o d i s p e r s e and c a u s e
t h e crowd t o d i s p e r s e . The a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden
c o n t i n u e d t o move f o r w a r d w i t h t h e mob b e h i n d him and t h e
A f f i a n t s t o p p e d him by p e r m i t t i n g him t o walk i n t o h i s
51 .
(R42)
n i g h t s t i c k w h i ch he h e l d under h i s arm and f o r w a r d . At t h i s
p o i n t t h e A f f i a n t p l a c e d t h e a b o v e named W i l l i e B. Ludden
under a r r e s t and p as s e d him t h r o u g h t h e p o l i c e l i n e s t o be
p l a c e d i n a v e h i c l e t o be c a r r i e d t o t h e c i t y j a i l o f J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i . The A f f i a n t knows o f no i n s t a n c e o f p o l i c e
b r u t a l i t y by any o f f i c e r t o wa r d t h e a b o v e named W i l l i e B.
Ludden or any o t h e r p e r s o n on t h e o c c a s i o n a b o v e m en t i on ed
and d e n i e s t h a t any such p o l i c e b r u t a l i t y d i d i n f a c t o c c u r .
The A f f i a n t s t a t e s t h a t o n l y such f o r c e as was n e c e s s a r y under
t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s was used t o c o n t r o l t h e u n r u l y mob and p l a c e
them under a r r e s t .
5 . That t he a b ov e named W i l l i e B, Ludden was p e r m i t t e d
t o make bond and h i s c a s e i s p r e s e n t l y p e n d i n g i n t h e s t a t e
c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i
/ s / C . P ._W i l s o n _____________________
C . P . WILSON
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s t h e 1 0 t h day o f
J u n e , 1963
/ s / M i l d r e d A, Baker
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s :
____1 / 1 6 / 6 6 _____________
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e w h i c h i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(R43) ( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 10 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF J . L. RAY
52 .
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
P e r s o n a l l y a pp e a r e d b e f o r e me J . L. R ay , who, a f t e r
b e i n g d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and s a y s t h a t :
1 . He i s a Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e P o l i c e
Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and
has been a member o f t h e P o l i c e Department o f t he C i t y o f
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , f o r more tha n t w e n t y y e a r s .
2 . That on or a bout May 29 , 1 9 6 3 , at a b o u t 3 : 3 0 p . m „ ,
t h e A f f i a n t , w h i l e a c t i n g in h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y and w h i l e
i n u n i f o r m and w h i l e in command o f a u n i f o r m e d p o l i c e d e t a i l ,
had o c c a s i o n t o and d i d a r r e s t D o r i s A n n e t t e E r s k i n e and
t h r e e o t h e r p e r s o n s i n Pr imos R e s t a u r a n t on C a p i t o l S t r e e t i n
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i . That t h e A f f i a n t d i d not a r r e s t D o r i s
A n n e t t e E r s k i n e on Tu es d ay , May 28, 1 963 , a t a b o u t 1 1 : 3 0 a . m .
That t h e owner or manager o f Pr imos R e s t a u r a n t on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , Gus P r i m o s , a d v i s e d t h e f o u r
p e r s o n s a b o v e ment ioned t h a t he was t h e owner and manager o f
t h e r e s t a u r a n t and t h a t he d i d not d e s i r e t o s e r v e them and
r e q u e s t e d t h a t t h e y l e a v e t h e p r e m i s e s o f h i s r e s t a u r a n t .
The A f f i a n t d o e s not know t h e r e a s o n t h a t t h e owner or mana
g e r d i d not d e s i r e t o s e r v e t h e a b o v e f o u r m e n t i o n e d p e r s o n s .
53
(R44)
(R45)
(R46)
That t h e A f f i a n t o r d e r e d the f o u r p e r s o n s a b o v e me nt i on ed
t o move on and move out o f t h e p r e m i s e s a f t e r a s k i n g them
i f t h e y had heard t h e manager ’ s r e q u e s t t o l e a v e . They
r e f u s e d t o do so and a t t h a t p o i n t t h e A f f i a n t a r r e s t e d them
f o r t r e s p a s s .
3 . That each o f t h e a b o v e f o u r a r r e s t e d p e r s o n s
were p e r m i t t e d t o make bond and t h e i r c a s e s a r e p r e s e n t l y
p e n d i n g i n t h e s t a t e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
/ s / J . L . Ray________________
J . L. RAY
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS THE 1 0t h day
o f J u n e , 1 9 63 .
/ s / M i l d r e d A. Baker
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s :
1 / 1 6 / 6 6 ______________
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * • « • * * * ■ « ■ * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 10 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF J . L. RAY
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
P e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d b e f o r e me J . L. Ray , who, a f t e r
b e i n g d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
54
1 . He i s a Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e P o l i c e
Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and
has b e en a member o f t h e P o l i c e Department o f t he C i t y o f
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , f o r more than t w e n t y y e a r s .
2 . On May 2 9 , 1 9 6 3 , at a bo ut 1 2 : 1 5 p .m. t h e A f f i a n t ,
w h i l e a c t i n g i n h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y and w h i l e i n u n i f o r m
and i n command o f a u n i f o r m e d p o l i c e d e t a i l , had o c c a s i o n t o
and d i d a r r e s t D o r i s A l l i s o n , W i l l i e B. Ludden and f o u r o t h e r
p e r s o n s i n f r o n t o f W o o l w o r t h ’ s s t o r e on C a p i t o l S t r e e t in
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
3 . That t h e s i x p e r s o n s a b o v e me nt i on ed wer e b l o c k i n g
t h e s i d e w a l k in f r o n t o f the p u b l i c b u s i n e s s a b o v e m e n t i o n e d
by w a l k i n g i n c i r c l e s , c a r r y i n g p o s t e r s and s i g n s , and by
o t h e r w i s e b l o c k i n g t h e e n t i r e s i d e w a l k .
4 . That a l a r g e crowd o f p e r s o n s had g a t h e r e d and
t h e r e was much o b j e c t i o n to t h e manner i n wh ich t h e s i x p e r
sons a b o v e m ent i oned wer e b l o c k i n g and o t h e r w i s e o b s t r u c t i n g
t h e p u b l i c s i d e w a l k d u r i n g t he noon h o u r . The A f f i a n t i s o f
t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t he s i x p e r s o n s a b o v e m e n t i o n e d were d e l i b ^ r -
( R47) a t e l y and p u r p o s e l y b l o c k i n g and o b s t r u c t i n g t h e p u b l i c s i d e
w al k f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f c r e a t i n g v i o l e n c e .
5 . That t h e A f f i a n t d i d in h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y
a r r e s t D o r i s A l l i s o n , W i l l i e B. Ludden and t h e o t h e r f o u r
p e r s o n s who were w i t h them and d i d c h a r g e them w i t h u n l a w f u l l y
(R48)
(R49)
55 .
o b s t r u c t i n g p e d e s t r i a n t r a f f i c i n v i o l a t i o n o f t h e o r d i n a n c e s
o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
6 . That each o f t h e a b o v e s i x a r r e s t e d p e r s o n s were
p e r m i t t e d t o make bond and t h e i r c a s e s a r e p r e s e n t l y p e n d i n g
i n t h e s t a t e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
____/ s / J . L . Ray____________________
J . L. RAY
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s t h e 9t h day o f
J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / M i l d r e d A. Baker
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s :
1 / 1 6 / 6 6 ____________
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e wh ich i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
■ a - # * * - * * - * - * * * * # * #
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 10 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF J . L. RAY
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
P e r s o n a l l y a p p e a r e d b e f o r e me J . L. Ray, who, a f t e r
b e i n g d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and says t h a t :
1 . He i s a Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e P o l i c e
Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and
has b ee n a member o f t h e P o l i c e Department o f t h e C i t y o f
(R50)
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , f o r more than t w e n t y y e a r s .
2 . That on T h u r s d a y , May 30, 1 9 6 3 , at a p p r o x i m a t e l y
4 : 3 0 p .m. t h e A f f i a n t , w h i l e a c t i n g i n h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y
and w h i l e in u n i f o r m and i n command o f a u n i f o r m e d P o l i c e
d e t a i l , had o c c a s i o n t o and d i d a r r e s t Ralph Edwin King and
t h i r t e e n o t h e r p e r s o n s on a p u b l i c s i d e w a l k and s t e p s o f t h e
F e d e r a l P o s t O f f i c e B u i l d i n g in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
3 . That t he f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e me nt i on ed were
b l o c k i n g t h e s i d e w a l k and e n t r a n c e ways t o a p u b l i c b u i l d i n g
and o t h e r w i s e o b s t r u c t i n g t h e o r d i n a r y and f r e e use o f t h e
s t r e e t s and s i d e w a l k s o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n . That t h e f o u r
t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e m e n t i o n e d c o n g r e g a t e d i n a group and i n a
manner t h a t c au se d a v e r y l a r g e crowd o f some t h o u s a n d o r
more p e r s o n s t o g a t h e r i n t h e s t r e e t s and s i d e w a l k s a d j o i n i n g
t h e p l a c e where t h e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e m e n t i o n e d were
g r o u p e d . That t he a c t i o n s o f t h e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e men
t i o n e d were d e s i g n e d and d i d i n f a c t c a u s e t h e crowd t o b e
come u n e a s y , r e s e n t f u l and a n g r y .
4 . That t h e manner i n w h i ch t h e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s
a b o v e m e n t i o n e d c o n g r e g a t e d was o b v i o u s l y d e s i g n e d f o r t h e
s o l e p u r p o s e o f c r e a t i n g a n d / o r c a u s i n g v i o l e n c e .
5 . The A f f i a n t s t a t e s t h a t t h e manner i n w h i c h t h e
f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b ov e m e n t i on ed c o n g r e g a t e d had no r e s e m b
l a n c e o r s i m i l a n c e t o a p r a y e r f u l o r w o r s h i p f u l s e s s i o n .
56 .
(R51)
( R 5 2 )
57 .
6 . That t h e A f f i a n t a c t i n g in h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y
w i t h f u l l kn o wl ed g e o f t h e e x p l o s i v e c o n d i t i o n s t h a t e x i s t e d
at t he t ime o r d e r e d t h e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e ment io ned t o
move on and move out o f t h e area not o n c e but t h r e e t i m e s
and on each o c c a s i o n t h e f o u r t e e n r e f u s e d t o heed t he a f f i a n t ’ s
o r d e r t o move on.
7 . That t h e A f f i a n t i n his o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y a r r e s t e d
t h e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s a b o v e m ent i oned and t h e y and each o f
them were c h a r g e d w i t h a b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e .
8 . That each o f the a b o v e f o u r t e e n p e r s o n s was p e r
m i t t e d t o make bond and t h e i r c a s e s a r e p r e s e n t l y p e n d i n g in
t h e s t a t e c o u r t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
/ s / J . L. Ray_____________________
J . L . RAY
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s t h e 9th day o f
J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / M i l d r e d A. Baker
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s :
____1 / 1 6 / 6 6 _________
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e wh ich i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
t t # - * * * # # * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 11 19 63 )
O R D E R
( R 5 3 )
THIS CAUSE h a v in g come f o r h e a r i n g b e f o r e t h e Court
on a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s f o r a t e m p o r a r y w r i t o f
i n j u n c t i o n on Count No. 1 o f t h e c o m p l a i n t by ag re em ent o f
t h e p a r t i e s , and t he Court h a v in g heard a l l o f t h e e v i d e n c e
a dd u ce d by t h e p a r t i e s i n s u p p o r t o f t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e c o n
t e n t i o n s and h a v i n g r e c e i v e d b r i e f s f rom c o u n s e l t h e r e o n and
h a v i n g examined such a u t h o r i t i e s , f i n d s :
( 1 ) That t h i s i s not a t h r e e - j u d g e c o u r t m a t t e r and
t h a t t h i s Court has f u l l j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e p a r t i e s and t h e
s u b j e c t m a t t e r ;
( 2 ) That t h i s c a s e i s e x t r e m e l y c o m p l i c a t e d and
i n v o l v e s many i n t r i c a t e l e g a l f a c e t s w h i ch w i l l e n t a i l
f u r t h e r i n t e n s i v e e x a m i n a t i o n and s t u d y by t h e C o u r t ;
( 3 ) That t h e g r e a t e r w e i g h t o f t h e more c r e d i b l e and
more c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e l e a d s t h e Court t o t h e
c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e r e i s i n t r u t h and in f a c t no c r i s i s at
hand ; and no n e c e s s i t y or u r g e n c y f o r any i mm e d i a t e a c t i o n
on such c o m p l i c a t e d q u e s t i o n s , s i n c e t h e c o u r s e o f a c t i o n
w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e p l a i n t i f f s i s c o m p l e t e l y under t h e i r
c o n t r o l ; and no l o s s o r p r e j u d i c e or embarrassment w i l l be
s u f f e r e d by t h e p l a i n t i f f s i n t h e i n t e r i m p e n d i n g t h e C o u r t ’ s
f u r t h e r s t ud y o f t h i s c a s e .
I t i s , a c c o r d i n g l y , o r d e r e d t h a t t h i s m a t t e r w i l l be
5 8.
t a k e n under a d v i s e m e n t by t h e Court f o r s t ud y and l a t e r
(R60)
dec i s i ovn. at t h e p r o p e r t i m e .
* •
I t i s f u r t h e r t h e o p i n i o n o f t h i s Court t h a t t h e
i n j u n c t i o n i s s u e d by t h e s t a t e c o u r t a g a i n s t t h e p l a i n t i f f s
i s not v o i d , and s h o u l d be r e s p e c t e d by t h e p a r t i e s and
t h e i r a t t o r n e y s u n t i l v a c a t e d or r e v e r s e d , w h et he r i t be t o
t h e l i k i n g o f such p a r t i e s o r n o t ; and f u r t h e r i n q u i r y w i l l
be made l a t e r by t h i s Court on t h a t q u e s t i o n f o r a d e t e r m i n a
t i o n o f t h e s t a t u s o f t h e p a r t i e s i n a F e d e r a l C ourt o f
e q u i t y b e f o r e a d e c r e e i s e n t e r e d h e r e .
SO ORDERED, t h i s June 1 1 , A. D . , 1 9 6 3 .
________ / s / H a r o l d Cox_____________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 13 1963)
NOTICE OF APPEAL
N o t i c e i s h e r e b y g i v e n t h a t t h e NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, A New York C o r p o r a
t i o n ; ROY WILKINS; WILLIE B. LUDDEN; REV. RALPH EDWIN KING;
DORIS ERSKINE and DORIS ALLISON a p p e a l t o t h e Court o f
A p p e a l s f o r t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t f rom so much o f t h e o r d e r
e n t e r e d on June 1 1 , 1 9 63 , by t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t Court
f o r t h e S o u t h er n D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s s i p p i , J a c k s o n D i v i s i o n ,
t h e H o n o r a b l e H a r o ld Cox, U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t J u d g e , p r e
59 .
s i d i n g , as i s as f o l l o w s :
60
...the Court. . . finds:
2 . That t h i s c a s e i s e x t r e m e l y c o m p l i c a t e d and
i n v o l v e s many i n t r i c a t e l e g a l f a c e t s wh ich w i l l
e n t a i l f u r t h e r i n t e n s i v e e x a m i n a t i o n and s t ud y
by t h e C o u r t ;
3 . That t h e g r e a t e r w e i g h t o f t h e more c r e d i b l e
and more c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e l e a d s
t h e Court t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e r e i s i n
t r u t h and i n f a c t no c r i s i s at hand; and no n e c e s
s i t y o r u r g e n c y f o r any im me di at e a c t i o n on such
c o m p l i c a t e d q u e s t i o n s , s i n c e t h e c o u r s e o f a c t i o n
w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e p l a i n t i f f s i s c o m p l e t e l y under
t h e i r c o n t r o l ; and no l o s s o r p r e j u d i c e o r em
b a r r a s s m e n t w i l l be s u f f e r e d by t h e p l a i n t i f f s in
t h e i n t e r i m p e n d i n g t h e C o u r t ’ s f u r t h e r s t u d y o f
t h i s ca s e .
I t i s , a c c o r d i n g l y , o r d e r e d t h a t t h i s m a t t e r w i l l
be t a k e n under a d v i s e m e n t by t h e Court f o r s t ud y
and l a t e r d e c i s i o n at t h e p r o p e r t i m e .
( R61) I t i s f u r t h e r t h e o p i n i o n o f t h i s C ourt t h a t
t h e i n j u n c t i o n i s s u e d by t h e s t a t e c o u r t a g a i n s t
t h e p l a i n t i f f s i s not v o i d , and s h o u l d be r e
s p e c t e d by t h e p a r t i e s and t h e i r a t t o r n e y s u n t i l
61
(R62)
v a c a t e d or r e v e r s e d , w h et he r i t be t o t h e l i k i n g
o f such p a r t i e s or n o t ; and f u r t h e r i n q u i r y w i l l
be made l a t e r by t h i s Court on t h a t q u e s t i o n f o r
a d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e s t a t u s o f t h e p a r t i e s in
a F e d e r a l Court o f e q u i t y b e f o r e a d e c r e e i s
e n t e r e d h e r e .
JACK H . YOUNG
CARSIE A . HALL
115^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New Y o rk
R. JESS BROWN
125^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
JACK GREENBERG
LEROY D. CLARK
DERRICK A. BELL
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
W a s hi n gt o n 1 , D. C.
WILLIAM R , MING, J R .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFFS
BY : / s / R . J e s s Brown_____
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
( S l i p a t t a c h e d t o f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t sho wi ng d e p o s i t
62
(R447)
o f $ 2 5 0 . 0 0 f o r c h e c k i n g a c c o u n t w i t h F i r s t N a t i o n a l Bank,
J a c k s o n , M i s s . )
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
For The F i f t h C i r c u i t
O c t o b e r Term, 1962
No. 2 0 , 6 1 9
D. C. Do c ke t No. 3432 C i v i l
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED
PEOPLE, ET A L . ,
A p p e l l a n t s ,
v e r s u s
ALLEN THOMPSON, Mayor o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i , ET A L , ,
App e l l e e s .
App ea l f r o m t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t Court f o r
t h e S o u t h e r n D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
B e f o r e T u t t l e , C h i e f J u d g e , R i v e s and Gewin, C i r c u i t J u d g e s .
J U D G M E N T
T h i s c a u s e came on t o be h ea rd on t h e m o t i o n f o r p r e
l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n p e n d i n g a p p e a l , and on t h e t r a n s c r i p t o f
t h e r e c o r d f rom t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t Court f o r t h e
S o u t h e r n D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and was a r g u e d by c o u n s e l ;
ON CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, I t i s now h e r e o r d e r e d and
6 3 .
(R57)
a d j u d g e d by t h i s Court t h a t t h e a p p e a l i n t h i s c a u s e b e , and
t h e same i s h e r e b y , d i s m i s s e d f o r want o f j u r i s d i c t i o n .
I t i s f u r t h e r o r d e r e d and a d j u d g e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t s ,
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e ,
and o t h e r s , be condemned t o pay t h e c o s t s o f t h i s c a u s e i n
t h i s Court f o r wh ich e x e c u t i o n may be i s s u e d out o f t h e s a i d
D i s t r i c t Court .
J u l y 2 4 , 1963
I s s u e d as Mandate : Sep 26 1963
A t r u e c o p y
T e s t : Edward W. Wadsworth
C l e r k , U. S . Court o f A p p e a l s , F i f t h C i r c u i t
BY / s / G. T . Ganucheau_________
Deputy
New O r l e a n s , L o u i s i a n a Sep 26 1963
• H - t t - H - # * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 12 19 63 )
REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS
D e f e n d a n t s , Ro ss R. B a r n e t t , Go v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i , a p p e a r i n g s p e c i a l l y h e r e i n w i t h o u t w a i v i n g
h i s r i g h t t o q u e s t i o n t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e Court o f him
as such G o v e r n o r , J o e T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and Heber L a d n e r , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , r e q u e s t t h e p l a i n t i f f s ,
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e ,
64
a New York c o r p o r a t i o n , by an o f f i c e r o r a g e nt t h e r e o f , and
Roy W i l k i n s , Medgar E v e r s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, R e v . Ralph
Edwin King , D o r i s E r s k i n e and D o r i s A l l i s o n , as o f f i c e r s ,
a g e n t s , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o r members o f t h e f o r e i g n c o r p o r a
t i o n , as d i s t i n g u i s h e d f rom t h e i r c a p a c i t i e s as i n d i v i d u a l
(R58) c i t i z e n s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , w i t h i n t e n ( 1 0 ) days a f t e r
s e r v i c e o f t h i s r e q u e s t t o make t h e f o l l o w i n g a d m i s s i o n s f o r
t h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s a c t i o n o n l y and s u b j e c t t o a l l p e r t i n e n t
o b j e c t i o n s t o a d m i s s i b i l i t y which may be i n t e r p o s e d at the
trial:
That each o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s i s t r u e .
( a ) The f a c t s a l l e g e d i n Count I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t
a r e c h a r g e d and d i r e c t e d t o d e f e n d a n t s o t h e r t han t h e s e and
none o f t he a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count I a r e made a g a i n s t t h e s e
d e f endant s .
( b ) The a l l e g e d f a i l u r e o f t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s t o com
p l e t e l y p r o c e s s t h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n o f t h e
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n , t o - w i t :
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d
P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n , i s t h e s o l e u l t i m a t e f a c t
c h a r g e d a g a i n s t t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s i n Count I I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t .
The f a c t s s e t f o r t h a b o v e s h a l l be deemed a d m i t t e d by
each o f y o u , as p r o v i d e d i n R u le 36 , F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l
P r o c e d u r e , u n l e s s you f i l e f o r m a l o b j e c t i o n s t h e r e t o i n t h e
6 5 .
(R 59 )
(R54)
manner p r o v i d e d i n s a i d r u l e .
R e q u e s t e d t h i s t h e 1 2t h day o f J u n e , A. D . , 1 9 6 3 .
ROSS R. BARNETT, GOVERNOR
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
HEBER LADNER, SECRETARY OF STATE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
BY: . JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY
FOR THE DEFENDANTS.
BY: / s / M a r t i n R. McLendon_____
MARTIN R . McLENDON
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e w h i ch i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * - f r * * t t t t - M - * - * * t t * - *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 12 1963)
REQUEST FOR ADMISSION
D e f e n d a n t s , Ross R. B a r n e t t , G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , a p p e a r i n g s p e c i a l l y h e r e i n w i t h o u t w a i v i n g h i s
r i g h t t o q u e s t i o n t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e Court o f him as
such G o v e r n o r , J o e T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and Heber L a dn e r , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e o f
t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , r e q u e s t t h e p l a i n t i f f s , Roy W i l k i n s ,
Medgar E v e r s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, R ev . R a l ph Edwin K i n g , D o r i s
E r s k i n e and D o r i s A l l i s o n i n t h e i r c a p a c i t i e s as i n d i v i d u a l
c i t i z e n s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , as d i s t i n g u i s h e d f r o m t h e i r
66.
(R55)
c a p a c i t i e s as o f f i c e r s , a g e n t s , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s or members
o f p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n , w i t h i n t e n ( 1 0 ) days a f t e r s e r v i c e
o f t h i s r e q u e s t t o make t h e f o l l o w i n g a d m i s s i o n s f o r t h e p u r
p o s e o f t h i s a c t i o n o n l y and s u b j e c t t o a l l p e r t i n e n t o b j e c
t i o n s t o a d m i s s i b i l i t y which may be i n t e r p o s e d at t h e t r i a l :
That each o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s i s t r u e .
( a ) The f a c t s a l l e g e d i n Count I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t a r e
c h a r g e d and d i r e c t e d t o d e f e n d a n t s o t h e r tha n t h e s e and none
o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count I a r e made a g a i n s t t h e s e d e f e n d
a n t s .
( b ) The a l l e g e d f a i l u r e o f t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s t o com
p l e t e l y p r o c e s s t h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n o f t h e
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n , t o - w i t :
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d
P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n , i s t h e s o l e u l t i m a t e f a c t
c h a r g e d a g a i n s t t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s i n Count I I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t .
The f a c t s se t f o r t h a b o v e s h a l l be deemed a d m i t t e d by
each o f y o u , as p r o v i d e d in R ul e 3 6 , F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l
P r o c e d u r e , u n l e s s you f i l e f o r m a l o b j e c t i o n s t h e r e t o i n t h e
manner p r o v i d e d i n s a i d r u l e .
R e q u e s t e d t h i s t h e 12th day o f J u n e , A. D . , 1 9 6 3 .
ROSS R. BARNETT, GOVERNOR
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
JOE T . PATTERSON, ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
(R 56 )
( R18 5)
HEBER^ADNER, SECRETARY OF STATE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
BY: JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY
FOR THE DEFENDANTS
BY: / s / Mar t i n R. McLendon______
MARTIN R. McLENDON
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUN 21 1963)
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS
The f o l l o w i n g i s i n r e s p o n s e t o r e q u e s t f o r a d m i s s i o n s
s e r v e d by J o e T . P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f M i s s i s s i p p i
and Heber L adn er , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e , S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ,
p l a i n t i f f s r e s e r v i n g t he r i g h t t o s t r i k e t h e r e q u e s t f o r
a d m i s s i o n s by Ross R. B a r n e t t , G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e o f Mi s
s i s s i p p i . P l a i n t i f f , N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement
o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n , by i t s E x e c u t i v e
S e c r e t a r y , Roy W i l k i n s , ( W i l l i e B. Ludden, R e v . R al ph Edwin
Ki n g , D o r i s E r s k i n e and D o r i s A l l i s o n b e i n g n e i t h e r o f f i c e r s
nor a g e n t s o f the a f o r e s a i d c o r p o r a t i o n ) , t h r o u g h h i s a t t o r
ney makes t h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e r e q u e s t
f o r a d m i s s i o n s :
R e qu e st ( a ) . P l a i n t i f f c ann ot t r u t h f u l l y admit t h e
m a t t e r s e t f o r t h i n ( a ) f o r t h e r e a s o n t h a t t h e f i r s t p a r a g r a p h
67 .
o f Count 2 r e a l l e g e s , a d o p t s and makes a p a r t o f Count 2 a l l
o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s i n Count 1 ; t h a t t h e m a t t e r s e t f o r t h in
Counts 1 and 2 a r e a p a r t o f a p a t t e r n o f t h e o f f i c i a l s o f
(R186) t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , and o f f i c i a l s o f t h e County o f Hinds and
o f f i c i a l s o f t he S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , w hereb y t h e j u d i c i a l
and l e g i s l a t i v e p r o c e s s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i a r e a b u se d
t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e r e s u l t s s p e c i f i c a l l y d e s c r i b e d in Count 1
and t o i mp ed e , f r u s t r a t e and d e f e a t t he i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e
o b j e c t i v e s o f r a c i a l e q u a l i t y a d v o c a t e d by p l a i n t i f f s .
A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count 1 a r e made a p a r t o f
Count 2 and a r e made a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s named i n Count 2 .
Reque st ( b ) . P l a i n t i f f s deny t h e m a t t e r se t f o r t h i n
R e qu e s t ( b ) . In a d d i t i o n t h e r e t o , p l a i n t i f f s c h a r g e d e f e n d a n t s ’
a c t i v i t i e s i n r e g a r d t o p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n i s a p a r t o f
t h e m a t t e r s upon which was ba sed t h e s e c u r i n g o f ex p a r t e
i n j u n c t i o n o f b ro a d and vague d i m e n s i o n s i s a p p a r e n t r e s t r a i n t
o f p l a i n t i f f s ’ l a w f u l a c t i v i t i e s and a p a r t o f t h e o t h e r mat
t e r s e t f o r t h more s p e c i f i c a l l y i n Count 2 . M o r e o v e r , t h i s
C ourt i s r e q u e s t e d t o e n j o i n t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s f r om t a k i n g any
a c t i o n i n c o u r t s o f t he U n i t e d S t a t e s and i n t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i t o e n j o i n or bar t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n f rom
c o n d u c t i n g i t s b u s i n e s s or f r o m p u r s u i n g l a w f u l o b j e c t i v e s
w i t h i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i as s e t f o r t h i n p a r a g r a p h ( b )
o f t h e " W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e ; ” f r o m p r o c u r i n g an i n d i c t m e n t or
68 .
69 .
(R187)
f u r t h e r p r o s e c u t i n g p l a i n t i f f , Roy W i l k i n s , as se t f o r t h
more s p e c i f i c a l l y in p a r a g r a p h ( c ) o f t h e " W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e ; "
and f rom p r o c e e d i n g t o p r o s e c u t e f u r t h e r t h e B i l l f o r I n j u n c
t i o n as s e t f o r t h more s p e c i f i c a l l y in p a r a g r a p h ( d ) o f t h e
" W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e . "
J a c k H. Young
C a r s i e A. H a l l
115^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R o b e r t L. C a r t e r
Barbara A. M o r r i s
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New York
J a ck G r e e n b e r g
L e r o y D. C la rk
D e r r i c k A. B e l l
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
W i l l i a m R. Ming, J r .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i ca g o 2 , I l l i n o i s
Frank D . R e e v e s
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
W a sh in gt o n 1 , D. C.
R . J e s s Brown
1252 North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n 1 , M i s s i s s i p p i
By__ / s / C a r s i e A . H a l l _____
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
VERIFICATION
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) SS . :
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
(R188)
(R270)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED
PEOPLE by i t s Execut ive S e c re ta ry , Roy W i lk in s and Roy
W i l k i n s i n d i v i d u a l l y , b e i n g f i r s t d u l y sworn , says t h a t he i s
one o f the p l a i n t i f f s in t h i s c a u s e , and t h a t he has r e a d t h e
a b o v e and f o r e g o i n g R e s p o n s e t o Reque st f o r A d m i s s i o n s , and
t h a t a l l o f t h e s t a t e m e n t s c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o t h e
b e s t o f h i s i n f o r m a t i o n , k n o w l ed g e and b e l i e f .
____/ s / Roy W i l k i n s _____________
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 1 1 t h day o f J u n e , 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / Pr i n c e n e L. H u t c h e r s o n_________
N o t a r y P u b l i c , S t a t e o f New York
No. 0 3 - 1 9 0 8 5 7 5
Q u a l i f i e d in Bronx County
Commiss ion E x p i r e s March 30 , 1965
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e wh ich i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * # # * * # ■ « ■ ■ *
( T i t l e Omit ted - FILED JUL 26 1 96 3)
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS
P l a i n t i f f s , N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement
o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , a New York C o r p o r a t i o n by i t s E x e c u t i v e
S e c r e t a r y , Roy W i l k i n s ; p l a i n t i f f s , Roy W i l k i n s , W i l l i e B.
Ludden, R e v . R al ph Edwin Ki ng , D o r i s E r s k i n e and D o r i s
A l l i s o n i n d i v i d u a l l y , t h r o u g h t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , make t h e f o l
70 .
l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e R e q u e s t f o r A d m i s s i o n s
71 .
(R271)
s e r v e d by d e f e n d a n t Ross R. B a r n e t t , t h e s a i d Ross R. B a r n e t t
h a v in g a c c e p t e d s e r v i c e o f p r o c e s s and f i l e d an answer i n t h e
a b o v e p r o c e e d i n g s :
R eq u e s t ( a ) . P l a i n t i f f s ca nn ot t r u t h f u l l y admit t h e
m a t t e r s e t f o r t h i n ( a ) f o r the r e a s o n t h a t t h e f i r s t p a r a
graph o f Count 2 r e a l l e g e s , a d o p t s and makes a p a r t o f Count
2 a l l o f the a l l e g a t i o n s in Count 1 ; t h a t t h e m a t t e r se t f o r t h
i n Counts 1 and 2 a r e a p a r t o f a p a t t e r n o f t h e o f f i c i a l s o f
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , and o f f i c i a l s o f t h e Count y o f Hinds and
o f f i c i a l s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , whereb y t h e j u d i c i a l
and l e g i s l a t i v e p r o c e s s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i a r e a b u s e d
t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e r e s u l t s s p e c i f i c a l l y d e s c r i b e d in Count 1
and t o i mped e , f r u s t r a t e and d e f e a t t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e
o b j e c t i v e s o f r a c i a l e q u a l i t y a d v o c a t e d by p l a i n t i f f s .
A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count 1 a r e made a p a r t o f
Count 2 and a r e made a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s named i n Count 2 .
R equ est ( b ) . P l a i n t i f f s deny t h e m a t t e r s e t f o r t h i n
R e q u e s t ( b ) . In a d d i t i o n t h e r e t o , p l a i n t i f f s c h a r g e d e f e n d
a n t s ’ a c t i v i t i e s i n r e g a r d to p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n i s a
p a r t o f t h e m a t t e r s upon wh ich was b as ed t h e s e c u r i n g o f an
ex p a r t e i n j u n c t i o n o f b ro a d and vague d i m e n s i o n s i n a p p a r e n t
r e s t r a i n t o f p l a i n t i f f s l a w f u l a c t i v i t i e s and a p a r t o f t h e
o t h e r m a t t e r s e t f o r t h more s p e c i f i c a l l y i n Court 2 . More
o v e r , t h i s Court i s r e q u e s t e d t o e n j o i n t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s f r o m
72 .
t a k i n g any a c t i o n i n c o u r t s o f t he U n i t e d S t a t e s and i n t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o e n j o i n or bar t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a
t i o n f r om c o n d u c t i n g i t s b u s i n e s s or f rom p u r s u i n g l a w f u l
o b j e c t i v e s w i t h i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i as se t f o r t h i n
p a r a g r a p h ( b ) o f t h e " W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e ; ” f r om p r o c u r i n g an
i n d i c t m e n t or f u r t h e r p r o s e c u t i n g p l a i n t i f f , Roy W i l k i n s ,
as s e t f o r t h more s p e c i f i c a l l y i n p ar a g r a p h ( c ) o f t h e
" W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e ; ” and f r om p r o c e e d i n g t o p r o s e c u t e f u r t h e r
t h e B i l l f o r I n j u n c t i o n as s e t f o r t h more s p e c i f i c a l l y in
p a r a g r a p h ( d ) o f t h e ’’ W h e r e f o r e c l a u s e . ”
J a c k H. Young
C a r s i e A. H a l l
115^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R o b e r t L. C a r t e r
Barbara A. M o r r i s
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New York
Ja ck G r e e n b e r g
Leroy D. C l ark
D e r r i c k A. B e l l
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
W i l l i a m R. Ming, J r .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o 2, I l l i n o i s
Frank D. R e e v e s
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
Wa shi ngt o n 1 , D. C.
73.
(R272 )
R . J e s s Brown
125^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
BY____/ s / Barbara A. Morr i s ____________
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
D a t e d : J u l y 23 , 1963
VERIFICATION
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) SS . :
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED
PEOPLE by i t s E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y , Roy W i l k i n s and Roy
W i l k i n s i n d i v i d u a l l y , b e i n g f i r s t d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and
s ay s t h a t he i s one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a u s e , and
t h a t he has r ea d t h e a b o v e and f o r e g o i n g R e s p o n s e t o R e qu e st
f o r A d m i s s i o n s , and t h a t a l l o f t h e s t a t e m e n t s c o n t a i n e d
t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o the b e s t o f h i s i n f o r m a t i o n , kn o wl ed g e
and b e l i e f .
____/ s / Roy W i l k i n s _______________
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 24th day o f J u l y 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / P r i n c e n e L. H u t c h e r s o n ________
Not ary P u b l i c
PRINCENE L. HUTCHERSON
N o t a r y P u b l i c , S t a t e o f New York
No. 0 3 - 1 9 0 8 5 7 5
Q u a l i f i e d i n Bronx County
Commiss ion E x p i r e s March 30 , 1965
74 .
( R273 ) VERIFICATION
P l a i n t i f f s Roy W i l k i n s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, Rev . Ralph
Edwin King, D o r i s E r s k i n e and D o r i s A l l i s o n i n d i v i d u a l l y ,
b e i n g f i r s t d u l y sworn, d e p o s e and say t h a t t h e y a r e t he
p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a u s e , and t h a t t h e y have r ea d t h e a b o v e
and f o r e g o i n g R e s p o n s e t o R e qu e st f o r A d m i s s i o n s , and t h a t
a l l o f t h e s t a t e m e n t s c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o t h e b e s t
o f t h e i r i n f o r m a t i o n , k n o w l ed g e and b e l i e f .
___/ s / Roy W i l k i n s_________________
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o
b e f o r e me t h i s 24th day o f
J u l y 1963 .
____/ s / P r i n c e n e L . H u t c h e r s on
N o t a r y P u b l i c
Commiss ion E x p i r e s March 3 0 , 1965
__ / s / W i l l i e B. Lud den
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 24th day o f J u l y 1 9 6 3 .
/ s / D. A. C l e me n t s ________
N ot a ry P u b l i c
/ s / Mrs. D o r i s A l l i s o n
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 25 day o f J u l y 1 9 6 3 .
_____ / s / Ja ck H. Young________________
N ot a r y P u b l i c
Commiss ion e x p i r e s S e p t . 2 5 , 1963
75.
(R274)
/ s / R ev . Ra l p h Edwin K i n g____
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 25 day o f J u l y 1 963 .
____/ s / J ack H. Young__________
N o t a r y P u b l i c
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s S e p t . 25 , 1963
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s _____ day o f J u l y 1 963 .
No ta ry P u b l i c
VERIFICATION
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
)
COUNTY OF HINDS )
Barbara A. M o r r i s on b e h a l f o f D o r i s E r s k i n e , b e i n g
by me f i r s t d u l y sworn, d e p o s e s and s ay s t h a t she i s
a t t o r n e y f o r p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c o u r s e and t h e f o r e g o i n g
R e s p o n s e i n Request f o r A d m i s s i o n s , and a l l s t a t e m e n t s c o n
t a i n e d t h e r e i n a r e t r u e t o t h e b e s t o f her i n f o r m a t i o n ,
k n o w l e d g e and b e l i e f .
__ / s / B ar bara A._Mo r r i s_________
Sworn t o and S u b s c r i b e d t o
b e f o r e me t h i s 26 day o f J u l y 1 9 63 .
_____ ]s j_ J a c k H . Yo ung_____________
N o t a r y P u b l i c
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s S e p t . 2 5 , 1963
(R275)
(R276)
(Rl93 )
(R194)
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t s c a r r y p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e s
o f S e r v i c e which a r e not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * . # . * #
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 27 1963)
A N S W E R
Comes now t h e d e f e n d a n t s Ross R. B a r n e t t , G ov ern or o f
t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , J o e T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and Heber L adn er , S e c r e t a r y o f
S t a t e o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t o answer t h e Compla int
f i l e d a g a i n s t them by p l a i n t i f f s and i n a n s w e r i n g say t h e
f o l l o w i n g :
76 .
FIRST DEFENSE
ANSWER TO COUNT I
These d e f e n d a n t s show t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s
by t h e i r f a i l u r e t o r e sp o nd t o a r e q u e s t f o r a d m i s s i o n s no
l o n g e r c l a i m a g a i n s t t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s under t h e a l l e g a t i o n s
o f Count I , but t h o s e a l l e g a t i o n s a r e answered b e c a u s e o f
c e r t a i n s t a t e m e n t s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e r e s p o n s e o f t h e c o r p o r a t e
p l a i n t i f f t o one o f t h e r e q u e s t s f o r a d m i s s i o n w h e r e i n i t
a t t e m p t e d t o deny t h e r e q u e s t s f o r a d m i s s i o n s .
1 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h a t t h i s Court has j u r i s
d i c t i o n o f t h i s c ause under T i t l e 28 , U. S. C . , S e c t i o n
1 3 4 3 ( 3 ) , o r any o t h e r s e c t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C ode ; and
t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s deny t h a t t h i s a c t i o n a g a i n s t them i s
a u t h o r i z e d under T i t l e 42, U. S. C . , S e c t i o n 1 9 8 3 , and t h e s e
77.
d e f e n d a n t s s p e c i f i c a l l y deny t h a t t h e y have d e p r i v e d t h e
p l a i n t i f f s o f any r i g h t s , p r i v i l e g e s or i m m u n i t i e s g u a r a n t e e d
by t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e Uni t ed
S t a t e s .
2 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 2, Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h a t t h e s e
d e f e n d a n t s admit t ha t t he c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , N a t i o n a l
A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , i s a
(R195) f o r e i g n n o n - p r o f i t membership c o r p o r a t i o n o f t h e S t a t e o f
New Y o r k . These d e f e n d a n t s s p e c i f i c a l l y deny t h a t t h e c l a i m
a g a i n s t them i s a p r o p e r c l a s s a c t i o n under t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f
R u l e 2 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) , F e d e r a l R ul es o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e .
3 . These d e f e n d a n t s admit t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d
i n p a r a g r a p h 3, Count I , o f t he C o m p l a i n t , and show t h a t
t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s a r e not l i s t e d t h e r e i n as d e f e n d a n t s .
4 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s i n p a r a
g ra ph 4 , Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
5 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f f a c t
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar a g r a p h 5, Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , and
show unto t h e Court t h a t most o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s a r e l e g a l
c o n c l u s i o n s o f t h e p l e a d e r .
6 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny each o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s
c o n t a i n e d i n p a r a g r a p h 6 , Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
7 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 7, Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
8 . These d e f e n d a n t s a l l e g e t h a t t h e y a r e w i t h o u t
k n o w l e d g e or i n f o r m a t i o n s u f f i c i e n t t o f o r m a b e l i e f as t o
t h e t r u t h o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n p a r a g r a p h 8 , Count
I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t ; and , t h e r e f o r e , deny each and e v e ry
a l l e g a t i o n f o un d t h e r e i n .
9 . These d e f e n d a n t s a l l e g e t h a t t h e y a r e w i t h o u t
kn o wl ed g e o r i n f o r m a t i o n s u f f i c i e n t t o f o r m a b e l i e f as t o
t h e t r u t h o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n p a r a g r a p h 9,
Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t ; a nd , t h e r e f o r e , deny each and
e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n found t h e r e i n .
1 0 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 10 , Count I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
NOW, THEREFORE, These d e f e n d a n t s h a v i n g answered
f u l l y each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n o f Count I , and t h e i n d i v i
d u a l p l a i n t i f f s ha ving e f f e c t i v e l y a d m i t t e d t h a t t h e f a c t s
a l l e g e d i n Count I o f t h e C omp l a i nt a r e c h a r g e d and d i r e c t e d
t:o d e f e n d a n t s o t h e r t han t h e s e , and none o f t h e a l l e g a t i o n s
o f Count I a r e made a g a i n s t t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s , t h e s e d e f e n d
a n t s deny t h a t t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d t o any r e l i e f
w h a t s o e v e r a g a i n s t them, s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s deny
t h a t any o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d t o any o f t h e r e l i e f
a g a i n s t them as s e t f o r t h i n t h e p r a y e r o f Count I o f t h e
C o m p l a i n t .
(R197)
79 .
ANSWER TO COUNT II
Comes now t he d e f e n d a n t s Ross R. B a r n e t t , G o v e r n o r
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , J o e T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y
G e n e r a l o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and Heber L adn er ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e o f t he S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and s p e c i
f i c a l l y d e n i e s t h a t t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n i s a u t h o r i z e d
t o f i l e t h i s c l a i m in i t s own b e h a l f or on b e h a l f o f or f o r
any o f i t s members and i n a n s w e r i n g Count I I o f t h e C o mp l a i nt
say as f o l l o w s :
1* These d e f e n d a n t s a dop t by r e f e r e n c e t he a ns we rs
o f each o f t h e par ag raph o f Count I o f t h e C omp la int r e
a l l e g e d by r e f e r e n c e i n t h i s p ar a g r a p h o f Count I I o f t h e
C o m p l a i n t .
2 . These d e f e n d a n t s s p e c i f i c a l l y deny t h a t t he c o r
p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f i s a u t h o r i z e d , i n b e h a l f o f i t s e l f o r i t s
members , t o b r i n g t h i s a c t i o n s e e k i n g t o e n f o r c e c o n s t i t u
t i o n a l r i g h t s o f i t s members, and t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s deny t h a t
t h i s c l a i m i s a p r o p e r c l a s s a c t i o n under t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f
R ul e 2 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) , o f t h e F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e ; and
t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s deny a l l o t h e r a l l e g a t i o n s i n t h i s p a r a
g r a p h , Count I I , o f t h i s C o m p l a i n t .
3 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d
i n p a r a g r a p h 3 , Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h e y
admit t h a t Ro ss R. B a r ne t t i s G ov e rn o r and C h i e f E x e c u t i v e
O f f i c e r o f the S t a t e and J o e T. P a t t e r s o n i s t h e A t t o r n e y
G e n e r a l o f the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and one o f h i s d u t i e s
i s p r o s e c u t i n g f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s u n l a w f u l l y d o i n g b u s i
n e s s i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and t h a t Heber Ladner i s
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i c h a r g e d
w i t h t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f p r o c e s s i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s o f
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n s p r o v i d e d t h e y co mply
w i t h M i s s i s s i p p i l a w.
4 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d
i n p a r a g r a p h 4 , Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h a t t h e y
admit t h a t t h e f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n , N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r
t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , a New York c o r p o r a t i o n ,
has f i l e d an a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n in t h i s S t a t e ,
w h i c h s a i d a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n has been d e n i e d and
(R198) t h e a p p r o v a l o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , a c t i n g t h r o u g h i t s
G o v e r n o r , w i t h h e l d e n t i r e l y , as shown by E x h i b i t "A" a t t a c h e d
h e r e t o , and t h e f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n d u l y n o t i f i e d o f t h e
S t a t e s a c t i o n as shown by E x h i b i t nB" a t t a c h e d h e r e t o , a l l
o f wh ich i s i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h l aw.
5. These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f p a r a
g r a p h 5, Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h a t t h e s e
d e f e n d a n t s admit t h a t t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n i s a f o r e i g n
n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n o p e r a t i n g and d o i n g b u s i n e s s i n t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i c o n t r a r y t o the p r o v i s i o n s o f S t a t e l a w .
80 .
6 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f p a r a
graph 6 , Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h a t t h e s e
d e f e n d a n t s admit t h a t the p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n i s a f o r e i g n
n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n o p e r a t i n g and d o i n g b u s i n e s s i n t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i c o n t r a r y t o t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f S t a t e l a w .
7. These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d
i n p a r a g r a p h 7, Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
8 . These d e f e n d a n t s deny t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d
i n p a r a g r a p h 8 , Count I I , o f t h e C o m p l a i n t , e x c e p t t h e s e
d e f e n d a n t s admit t h a t t he y have r e f u s e d t o a p p r o v e t h e
a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n o f t h e f o r e i g n n o n - p r o f i t c o r -
p o r a t i o n .
NOW, THEREFORE, t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s h a v i n g answe red f u l l y
(R199) t h e a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d in Count I I o f t h e Comp la int do now
deny t h a t any o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d t o any r e l i e f
w h a t s o e v e r a g a i n s t them, s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s deny
t h a t t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d t o any o f t h e r e l i e f as s e t
f o r t h i n t h e p r a y e r o f Count I I o f t h e C o m p l a i n t .
SECOND DEFENSE
These d e f e n d a n t s h av ing answered f u l l y do now r e s
p e c t f u l l y move the Court t o d i s m i s s t h i s C omp la int as t o them
f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g r e a s o n s , t o - w i t :
1 . The Court i s w i t h o u t j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e s e d e f e n d
a n t s , by r e a s o n o f t he p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e E l e v e n t h Amendment
81 .
t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f the U ni t e d S t a t e s , b e c a u s e t h e s e
d e f e n d a n t s i n r e j e c t i n g t h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n
o f t h e p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n a c t e d i n t h e i r o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y
as o f f i c e r s o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . The Court i s w i t h o u t j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e s u b j e c t
m a t t e r o f t h e c l a i m o f the p l a i n t i f f c o r p o r a t i o n f o r t h e
r e a s o n t h a t the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i has a r i g h t to e x c l u d e
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n s f rom o p e r a t i n g w i t h i n i t s b o u n d a r i e s ,
w h i ch s a i d r i g h t i n c l u d e s the r i g h t t o w i t h h o l d e n t i r e l y t h e
s t a t e ’ s a p p r o v a l o f an a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n o f any
such f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n .
NOW, THEREFORE, t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s h av ing f u l l y answered
t h e a l l e g a t i o n s e x h i b i t e d and f i l e d a g a i n s t them, and h a v i n g
moved t o d i s m i s s t h e same b e ca u s e o f t he l a c k o f j u r i s d i c t i o n
o f t h e Court o v e r t h e p a r t i e s and s u b j e c t m a t t e r , do p r a y
t h a t on a h e a r i n g h e r e o f t h a t no r e l i e f be g r a n t e d t o t h e
p l a i n t i f f s and t h a t t h i s Complaint be d i s m i s s e d a t t h e c o s t
o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s .
These d e f e n d a n t s , a l s o , p ra y f o r g e n e r a l r e l i e f .
ROSS R. BARNETT, GOVERNOR
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY
GENERAL, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
HEBER LADNER, SECRETARY OF STATE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
(R201)
83 .
ADDRESS OF EACH:
NEW CAPITOL BUILDING
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
BY: JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY
FOR THE DEFENDANTS
BY:__ / s / M a rt i n R. McLendon_____
MARTIN R . McLENDON
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NEW CAPITOL BUILDING
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(FILED JUN 19 1963)
EXHIBIT "A"
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
E x e c u t i v e Department
J a c k s o n
June 17 , 1963
R os s R . B a r n e t t
G o v e r n o r
The H o n o r a b l e Heber Ladner
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
Dear M r . L a d n e r :
I h e r e w i t h r e t u r n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f N a t i o n a l A s s o
c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e f o r d o m e s t i
c a t i o n i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
Pur suant t o t he a u t h o r i t y v e s t e d i n me as G o v e r n o r
under t h e laws o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , s a i d a p p l i c a t i o n
(R202)
84 .
i s h e r e b y d e n i e d .
Yours t r u l y ,
/ s / Ross R. B a r n e t t
G o v e r n o r
e n d .
c c :
The H o n o r a b l e J o e T. P a t t e r s o n
A t t o r n e y Genera l
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
C o r p o r a t i o n D i v i s i o n
J . V. C a r r , Deputy
F l e e t w o o d 5 - 9361
Ext s . 286 & 287
(FILED JUN 19 1963)
EXHIBIT "B"
SECRETARY OF STATE
MISSISSIPPI
Heber Ladner
June 1 9 , 1963
S e c u r i t i e s D i v i s i o n
Ben Hawkins , Deputy
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
P o s t O f f i c e Box 136
Mr. A r t h u r B. S p i n g a r n , P r e s i d e n t
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement
o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e
Twenty West F o r t i e t h S t r e e t
New York 1 8 , New York
Dear S i r :
We a r e r e t u r n i n g h e r e w i t h c h e c k s number 8039 and 8060
t o t a l i n g $ 25 , b e c a u s e t he Gov ern or o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i d e c l i n e d t o a p p r o v e t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f " N a t i o n a l A s s o
c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e " f o r d o m e s t i
c a t i o n i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
(R279 )
Yours t r u l y ,
/ s / Heber Ladner
Heber Ladner
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
JVC : l a s
E n c l o s u r e s - 2
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 3 19 63 )
ANSWER TO COUNT I
NOW COME the d e f e n d a n t s , A l l e n Thompson, D. L. L u c k e y ,
Tom M a r s h a l l , W. D. R a y f i e l d , J . L. Ray, M. B. P i e r c e , J . A.
T r a v i s , R. G. N i c h o l s , J . R. G i l f o y , and Pa ul G. A l e x a n d e r ,
by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , and f o r answer t o Count I o f t h e com
p l a i n t would show unto t he Court t h e f o l l o w i n g :
1 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny t h a t t h i s Court has j u r i s
d i c t i o n under S e c t i o n 1 4 4 3 ( 3 ) o f T i t l e 2 8 , U n i t e d S t a t e s Code ,
and deny t h a t t h i s a c t i o n i s a u t h o r i z e d by S e c t i o n 1983 o f
T i t l e 4 2 , U n i t e d S t a t e s Code , and deny a l l o t h e r a l l e g a t i o n s
o f p a r a g r a p h 1 o f the c o m p l a i n t .
2 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s admit t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e p l a i n
t i f f s but deny a l l o t h e r a l l e g a t i o n s o f p a r a g r a p h 2 and deny
t h a t t h i s i s a p r o p e r c l a s s a c t i o n i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e
p r o v i s i o n s o f Rule 2 3 ( a ) ( 3 ) o f t h e F e d e r a l R u le s o f C i v i l
P r o c e d u r e .
3 .
85 .
(R280) S a i d d e f e n d a n t s admit t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f p a r a g r a p h
4 . Said d e f e n d a n t s deny each and ev er y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 4 .
5 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 5 .
6 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
p f p a r a g r a p h 6 .
7 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 7.
8 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 8 .
9 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 9 .
1 0 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 10, and deny t h a t t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d
t o any o f t h e r e l i e f prayed f o r under Count I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t .
ANSWER TO COUNT I I
NOW COME s a i d d e f e n d a n t s , by t h e i r a t t o r n e y s , and f o r
answer t o Count I I o f t h e c o m pl a i nt would show unto t h e
C o ur t t h e f o l l o w i n g :
1 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s r e a l l e g e and a dopt by r e f e r e n c e
t h e i r a n s w e r s to each o f t h e p ar ag ra phs o f Count I o f t h e
c o m p l a i n t .
2 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e ry a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra ph 2.
3 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s admit t he i d e n t i t y o f t h e d e f e n d
a n t s m e n t i o n e d i n p ar ag ra ph 3 , but deny a l l o t h e r a l l e g a t i o n s
o f p a r a g r a p h 3.
4 . Said d e f e n d a n t s a r e w i t h o u t kn o wl ed g e or i n f o r m a
t i o n s u f f i c i e n t t o f orm a b e l i e f as t o t h e t r u t h o f t h e
a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n paragraph 4 a nd , t h e r e f o r e , deny each
and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n .
5 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n paragraph 5.
6 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and ev er y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra ph 6 .
7 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t s deny each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra ph 7.
8 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t s deny each and ev er y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra p h 8 , and deny that p l a i n t i f f s a r e
e n t i t l e d t o any o f t h e r e l i e f pra yed f o r under Count II o f
t h e c o m p l a i n t .
WHEREFORE, s a i d d e f e n d a n t s would show unto t h e Court
t h a t t h e c o m p l a i n t f i l e d h e r e i n s hou ld be d i s m i s s e d f o r a l l
o f t h e r e a s o n s s e t out i n s a i d d e f e n d a n t s ’ m o t i o n t o d i s
miss p r e v i o u s l y f i l e d h e r e i n and f o r a l l o f t h e r e a s o n s se t
f o r t h i n t h e f o r e g o i n g a ns w e r .
87 .
(R282 )
(R448)
/ s / Thomas H. Wat k i n s _______________
THOMAS H. WATKINS
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
E. W. STENNETT, C i t y A t t o r n e y
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
A t t o r n e y s f o r D e f e n d a n t s
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns tr ument c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED OCT 18 1963)
ANSWER TO COUNT I
COMES NOW t h e d e f e n d a n t , T. B. B i r d s o n g , by h i s
a t t o r n e y , and f o r answer t o Count I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t would
show u n t o t h e Court t he f o l l o w i n g :
1 . Sa id d e f en da nt d e n i e s t h a t t h i s Court has j u r i s
d i c t i o n under S e c t i o n 1 4 4 3 ( 3 ) o f T i t l e 28 , U n i t e d S t a t e s
C ode , and d e n i e s that t h i s a c t i o n i s a u t h o r i z e d by S e c t i o n
1983 o f T i t l e 42 , Uni t ed S t a t e s Code , and d e n i e s a l l o t h e r
a l l e g a t i o n s o f par ag raph 1 o f t h e c o m p l a i n t .
2 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t admits t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e p l a i n
t i f f s but d e n i e s a l l o t h e r a l l e g a t i o n s o f p ar a g r a p h 2 and
d e n i e s t h a t t h i s i s a p r o p e r c l a s s a c t i o n in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f Rule 23 ( a ) ( 3 ) o f the F e d e r a l R u l e s o f
C i v i l P r o c e d u r e .
3 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t admits the a l l e g a t i o n s o f p a r a
88 .
g ra ph 3 .
8 9 .
(R44 9 )
(R4 50 )
4 . Said d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e ry a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 4.
5. Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 5.
6 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 6 .
7 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 7 .
8 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 8.
9 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 9.
1 0 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
o f p a r a g r a p h 10 , and d e n i e s t h a t t he p l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d
t o any o f t h e r e l i e f p r aye d f o r under Count I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t .
ANSWER TO COUNT I I
COMES NOW s a i d d e f e n d a n t , by h i s a t t o r n e y s , and f o r
answe r t o Count I I o f t he c o m p l a i n t would show unto t h e Court
t h e f o l l o w i n g :
1 . S a i d d e f e n d a n t r e a l l e g e s and a d o p t s by r e f e r e n c e
h i s answer t o each o f t h e p ar ag ra p hs o f Count I o f t h e com
p l a i n t .
2 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p a r ag ra p h 2 .
9 0 .
3 . Said d e f e n d a n t admi ts t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e
d e f e n d a n t ment ioned i n p ar ag ra ph 3, but d e n i e s a l l o t h e r
a l l e g a t i o n s o f p ar a g r a p h 3 .
4 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t i s w i t h o u t k n owl ed ge o r i n f o r m a
t i o n s u f f i c i e n t t o f o rm a b e l i e f as t o t h e t r u t h o f t he
a l l e g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n p ar a g r a p h 4 and , t h e r e f o r e , d e n i e s
each and e v e ry a l l e g a t i o n c o n t a i n e d t h e r e i n .
5 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra p h 5.
6 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e ry a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra p h 6 .
7 . Said d e fe n d a n t d e n i e s each and e v e r y a l l e g a t i o n
c o n t a i n e d i n p a r ag ra p h 7.
8 . Sa id d e f e n d a n t d e n i e s each a r t e v e r y a l l e j a t i c r .
c o n t a i n e d i n p ar ag ra p h 8 , and d e n i e s t h a t p l a i n t i f f s a r e
e n t i t l e d t o any o f t h e r e l i e f p r a ye d f o r under Count I I o f
t h e c ompla i n t .
WHEREFORE, s a i d d e fe n d a n t would show unto t h e Court
t h a t t h e c o m p l a i n t f i l e d h e r e i n s ho u ld be d i s m i s s e d f o r a l l
o f t h e r e a s o n s s e t out in s a i d d e f e n d a n t ’ s m o t i o n t o d i s
m i s s p r e v i o u s l y f i l e d h e r e i n and f o r a l l o f t h e r e a s o n s se t
f o r t h i n t h e f o r e g o i n g answer .
T. B. BIRDSONG, DEFENDANT
BY: JOE T. PATTERSON, ATTORNEY
GENERAL
(R451)
(R309)
BY :__ / s / M a rt i n R. McLe n d o n _
MARTIN R. McLENDON
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
New C a p i t o l B u i l d i n g
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
A t t o r n e y s f o r D e f en d an t
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns t rum ent c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * ^ ^ .
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 5 1963)
MOTION FOR FURTHER HEARING
Now come p l a i n t i f f s and move t h e Court t o s e t t h i s
c a s e down f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g at an e a r l y d a t e and as r e a
so ns t h e r e f o r e s t a t e the f o l l o w i n g :
1 . This a c t i o n was f i l e d by p l a i n t i f f s on June 7,
1 9 6 3 , s e e k i n g a t e mp o ra ry r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r and a p r e l i m i
na ry i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t c e r t a i n c o n d u c t o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s
a l l e g e d by p l a i n t i f f s t o v i o l a t e r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d by t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
2 . In s u pp o rt o f t h e p l e a d i n g s , p l a i n t i f f s f i l e d
a f f i d a v i t s and d e f e n d a n t s sought t o c o u n t e r t h e s e a f f i d a v i t s
w i t h a f f i d a v i t s o f t h e i r own. On June 10 , 1 9 6 3 , t e s t i m o n y
was r e c e i v e d f ro m d e f e n d a n t A l l e n Thompson, Mayor o f t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n , W. B. R a y f i e l d , C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f J a c k s o n ,
and J . R. G i l f o y , S h e r i f f o f Hinds Count y .
3 . On June 11 , 1963 , t h i s Court f ou nd i n t e r a l i a :
91 .
" ( 2 ) That t h i s c a s e i s e x t r e m e l y c o m p l i c a t e d and i n v o l v e s
(R310) many i n t r i c a t e l e g a l f a c e t s which w i l l e n t a i l f u r t h e r i n t e n
s i v e e x a m i n a t i o n and study by t h e C o u r t ; . . . I t i s , a c c o r d -
i n g l y > o r d e r e d t h a t t h i s matt er w i l l be t a k e n under a d v i s e m e n t
by t h e C ourt f o r study and l a t e r d e c i s i o n at t h e p r o p e r t i m e . ”
4 . On a p p ea l f rom t h i s o r d e r , t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t
Court o f A p p e a l s on J u l y 24, 1963, f ound t h a t t h i s Court had
n o t a b us ed i t s d i s c r e t i o n by r e q u i r i n g t ime f o r a s t u d y o f
t h e r e c o r d and the a p p l i c a b l e law i n t h i s d i f f i c u l t and d e l i
c a t e f i e l d o f c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l aw. The Court s t a t e d :
. . . t h e r e must be a r e s o l u t i o n o f a f a c t
i s s u e between c o n f l i c t i n g e v i d e n c e f o r
t h e t r i a l c o u r t t o a s c e r t a i n whe ther t he
c ond uc t f o r which t h e s e s e v e r a l hundred
d e m o n s t r a t o r s were a r r e s t e d i s f u l l y
p r o t e c t e d under t he F i r s t Amendment, as
c o n t en d ed f o r by t h e movants h e r e , o r
was p r o p e r l y s u b j e c t to c u r t a i l m e n t by
s t a t e a u t h o r i t y under v a l i d s t a t e
r e g u l a t o r y laws d e a l i n g w i t h c o n t r o l o f
t r a f f i c , p a r a d e s , p i c k e t i n g by p e r s o n s not
employed by b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s and
t h e l i k e . Th i s i s an area o f c o n s t i t u
92 .
t i o n a l law which has been r e c o g n i z e d by t h e
Supreme Court as t o be e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t
o f a p p l i c a t i o n . The Court has spoken most
r e c e n t l y i n t h i s f i e l d o f law i n Edwards v .
South C ar o l i na. 3 72 U . S . 22 9 , and i n F i e l d s .
et a l , v . South C a r o l i n a . 372 U . S . 522,
r e v e r s i n g c o n v i c t i o n s r e p o r t e d at 126 S . E .
2d 6 , 7, 8 and 9 q . v . ”
5 . P l a i n t i f f s submit t h a t i n v i e w o f t h e a b o v e d e c i
s i o n , t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h i s Court w i l l be a i d e d by a more com
p l e t e r e c o r d o f the f a c t s than i s now a v a i l a b l e and t h a t such
f a c t u a l r e c o r d may most e f f i c i e n t l y and e x p e d i t i o u s l y be p r o
v i d e d by a f u r t h e r h e a r i n g in t h i s m a t t e r .
6 . At such f u r t h e r h e a r i n g , p l a i n t i f f s w i l l have an
o p p o r t u n i t y t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e Court t h e t e s t i m o n y o f s e v e r a l
p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r w i t n e s s e s t o t he o c c u r r e n c e s out o f
w h i c h t h i s a c t i o n a r o s e . In a d d i t i o n , p l a i n t i f f s w i l l have
an o p p o r t u n i t y t o c r o s s - e x a m i n e p e r s o n s who f i l e d a f f i d a v i t s
on b e h a l f o f d e f e n d a n t s as t o the r e a s o n s f o r t h e a r r e s t s o f
( R3H) p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r s engaged i n t he p r o t e s t s d e s c r i b e d i n
t h e p i e a d i n g s .
7 . P l a i n t i f f s , b e c a u s e o f t h e s c h e d u l e o f t h e Court
a t t h e t i m e t h i s a c t i o n was f i l e d were u n a b l e t o f u l l y p r e
s e n t t h e a v a i l a b l e t e s t i m o n y i n s up por t o f t h e C omp l a i nt and
m o t i o n s f o r i n j u n c t i v e r e l i e f at t h e h e a r i n g o f June 10, 1 9 63 .
93 .
94
(R320)
a l l t h e f o r e g o i n g r e a s o n s , p l a i n t i f f s
t h i s c ause down f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g s
a t an e a r l y d a t e .
WHEREFORE, f o r
move t h e Court t o se t
/ s / D e r r i c k A. B e l l , J r .
JACK H. YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
115^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R. JESS BROWN
125^ North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 18 , New York
JACK GREENBERG
DERRICK A . BELL, J R .
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
Washington 1 , D. C.
WILLIAM R . MING, J R .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
t t t t - H - t t * * * * * * * -K- * tt
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 17 1963)
ORDER OVERRULING MOTION
FOR FURTHER HEARING_____
THIS ACTION came on f o r h e a r i n g on p l a i n t i f f s ’ m o t i o n
f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g , and t h e Court ha ving c o n s i d e r e d same i s
(R321)
o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t s a i d mot ion s h o u l d be and t he same i s
h e r e b y o v e r r u l e d .
I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , o r d e r e d and a d j u d g e d t h a t p l a i n
t i f f s ’ m o t i o n f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g be and t he same i s h er eb y
o v e r r u l e d , but p l a i n t i f f s are h e r e b y a l l o w e d t o f i l e not
more t h a n t h r e e a d d i t i o n a l a f f i d a v i t s w i t h i n f i v e ( 5 ) days
f r om t h i s d a t e , and d e f e n d a n t s a re h e r e b y a l l o w e d t o f i l e
no t more than t h r e e a d d i t i o n a l r e s p o n s i v e a f f i d a v i t s w i t h i n
t e n ( 1 0 ) days f rom t h i s d a t e .
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, t h i s 16th day o f A u g u s t , 1 9 63 .
__ / s / Ha ro l d Cox______________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 21 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF JACK YOUNG
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
) SS:
COUNTY OF HINDS )
P e r s o n a l l y a pp ea re d b e f o r e me, the u n d e r s i g n e d a u t h o r
i t y i n and f o r the j u r i s d i c t i o n a f o r e s a i d , Jack Young , who
b e i n g by me f i r s t d u l y sworn s t a t e d on h i s o a t h as f o l l o w s :
1 . That he i s one o f the a t t o r n e y s f o r t h e p l a i n
t i f f s i n t h i s a c t i o n wi t h o f f i c e s at 115^ North F a r i s h
S t r e e t , J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . That on Monday, August 1 2 , 1 963 , 233 p e r s o n s were
95 .
(R322 )
a r r a i g n e d b e f o r e t he Hinds County Court in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s
s i p p i , h a v in g been charged w i t h v a r i o u s o f f e n s e s i n c l u d i n g
b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e , t r e s p a s s , o b s t r u c t i n g s i d e w a l k s and
p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t . The a r r e s t and a r r a i g n m e n t o f
t h e a f o r e s a i d p e r s o n s grew out o f t h e i r p a r t i c i p a t i o n in
p e a c e f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s p r o t e s t i n g t h e e n f o r c e m e n t o f r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
3 . That a l t h o u g h most o f t h e p e r s o n s were a r r e s t e d
i n g r o u p s , i n d i v i d u a l t r i a l s a r e s c h e d u l e d at t h e r a t e o f
e i g h t t r i a l s p e r week, b e g i n n i n g September 9 , 1 9 6 3 , and c o n
t i n u i n g t h r o u g h June 1 , 1964 . This p r o c e d u r e i s s i m i l a r t o
t h a t r e q u i r e d i n t h e t r i a l s o f t h e so c a l l e d "Freedo m R i d e r s , "
who were a l s o a r r e s t e d i n groups but were t r i e d i n d i v i d u a l l y .
In t h e so c a l l e d "Freedom R i d e r " c a s e s t h e S t a t e r e f u s e d t o
a g r e e t o c o n s o l i d a t e the c a s e s f o r t r i a l in t h e County Court
and m o t i o n s t o c o n s o l i d a t e the c a s e s on a p p e a l t o t h e C i r c u i t
Court o f Hinds County and t o t h e Supreme Court o f M i s s i s s i p p i
w e r e o v e r r u l e d .
_____ ( s l __ J ack H. Young______
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME on t h i s _____ day
o f A u g u s t , 1963 .
LORYCE E. WHARTON, CLERK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
96 .
B y :__ / s / E. Mat h i s on , D . C .
(R323 )
(R324)
(R325)
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s tr u me nt c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 21 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF SHIRLEY CATCHINGS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
) SS
COUNTY OF HINDS )
P e r s o n a l l y appeared b e f o r e me, t h e u n d e r s i g n e d a u t h o r
i t y i n and f o r the j u r i s d i c t i o n a f o r e s a i d , S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s ,
who b e i n g by me f i r s t d u l y sworn s t a t e d on her oa th as f o l -
1 ows :
1 . Deponent i s a Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
15 y e a r s o f age and r e s i d e s at 715 Page S t r e e t , J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i .
2 . On F r i d a y , May 31, 1963 at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 P . M . ,
d e p o n e n t was one o f a number o f young p e r s o n s who were w a l k -
i n g a l o n g F a r i s h S t r e e t , two a b r e a s t , e n r o u t e t o C a p i t o l
S t r e e t , p e a c e f u l l y p r o t e s t i n g a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
3 . A f t e r we had p r o g r e s s e d about one b l o c k , our
p a t h was b l o c k e d by two l i n e s o f J a c k s o n p o l i c e o f f i c e r s .
We h a l t e d a t t h e i r command and s t o o d t h e r e s i n g i n g . We had
A m e r i ca n f l a g s i n our hands which were t a k e n f rom us by t h e
p o l i c e . We were then a r r e s t e d and herded i n t o g a r b a g e t r u c k s
(R326)
wh ich were c o m p l e t e l y e n c l o s e d and which had been p r e v i o u s l y
used t o c o l l e c t g a r b a g e , as e v i d e n c e d by t h e o d o r and t h e
r e s i d u e o f b i t s o f g ar ba ge and d i r t y w a t e r which were in t h e
t r u c k .
4 . As we were b e i n g t r a n s p o r t e d , t h e d r i v e r would
a c c e l e r a t e t h e t r u c k and then a p p l y t h e b r a k e s c a u s i n g us
t o be t hrown i n and about t h e t r u c k . Some o f t h e y o u n g s t e r s
s u f f e r e d b r u i s e s and had t h e i r c l o t h i n g t o r n as a r e s u l t .
5 . We were taken t o the F a i r g r o u n d s and p r o c e s s e d
and r e q u i r e d t o spend t h e n i g h t in a l a r g e room s l e e p i n g on
t h e f l o o r .
6 . The f o l l o w i n g day my m o t h er , Mrs. B ennie
C a t c h i n g s , came f o r me a bout 1 P.M. I r e f u s e d t o l e a v e as
t h e g i r l s had p l e d g e d t o remain t o g e t h e r u n l e s s we c o u l d a l l
l e a v e t o g e t h e r .
7 . L a t e r , Judge Gurnsey , Mr. Calhoun and t h r e e
o f f i c e r s came to get me. I went i n t he g i r l s ’ r e s t r o o m and
two p o l i c e o f f i c e r s f o r c e d t h e i r way i n and began t o t w i s t
my arms , one on each arm. As t h e y were l e a d i n g me o u t , t h e
o f f i c e r who had my r i g h t arm was t w i s t i n g so hard I began
t o f e a r i t would break and I began t o w i n c e i n p a i n . My
mother came up and w r e s t e d my r i g h t arm f rom t h e o f f i c e r ’ s
g r a s p . At t h i s t ime t h e o t h e r o f f i c e r s t r u c k my mother
98 .
b e h i n d t h e neck w i t h t h e h e e l o f h i s hand.
8 . L a t e r I a p p ea r ed b e f o r e Judge Gurnsey and was
a s ke d i f I i n t e n d e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e in any f u r t h e r d e m o n s t r a
t i o n s . I i n d i c a t e d t h a t I c o u l d not g i v e an i mme diat e a n s
w e r . He a s ke d why was I p a r t i c i p a t i n g and I t o l d him t h a t I
was d o i n g so f o r my f r e e d o m .
9. On June 1, 1963 , I j o i n e d a n o t h e r group o f o r d e r l y
p e r s o n s , p r o t e s t i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
and was a g a i n a r r e s t e d . I was t a k e n t o t h e F a i r g r o u n d s in a
"Pa dd ywa go n” . The f o l l o w i n g a f t e r n o o n ( S u n d a y ) , I was t r a n s
f e r r e d t o t h e C i t y J a i l by Mr. Calhoun and l o c k e d i n a c e l l
w i t h a p p r o x i m a t e l y e i g h t o t h e r j u v e n i l e s . Up t o t h i s t i m e ,
I had not b ee n g i v e n a n y t h i n g t o eat t h a t d a y . L a t e r t h a t
n i g h t , I p u r c h a s e d a sa nd wi ch . I was kept i n c u s t o d y a l l o f
Monday and on Tuesday n i g h t at 9 P.M. my f a t h e r s e c u r e d my
r e l ea s e .
1 0 . One week l a t e r on June 12th I j o i n e d a n o t h e r
group o f i n d i v i d u a l s p r o t e s t i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n who had
a s s e m b l e d i n an o r d e r l y f a s h i o n on Lynch S t r e e t . I m m e d i a t e l y
upon commencement o f an o r d e r l y p r o c e s s i o n , I was a g a i n
a r r e s t e d and t a ke n t o the F a i r g r o u n d s . Wh i l e we were b e i n g
h e l d t h e r e the h e a t e r s were t urned on d u r i n g t h e d a y , and
(R327 ) w h i l e t h e t e m p e r a t u r e o u t s i d e was 90 d e g r e e s . I was ke pt
t h e r e u n t i l t h e f o l l o w i n g Tues da y , a p e r i o d o f s i x d a y s . I
a p p e a r e d b e f o r e Judge Gurnsey on t h a t Tuesday and was t o l d
99 .
100
(R328)
(R329)
(R330)
t h a t I would not be a l l o w e d on t h e c i t y s t r e e t s u n l e s s in
t h e company o f my p a r e n t s .
____/ s / S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s ________
Sworn vt o and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 2 1 s t day o f A ug u s t , 1 9 63 .
__ / s / J a ck H. Young_____________
No ta ry P u b l i c
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s : S e p t . 2 8 , 1 963 .
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns tr ument c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* - « - * * * * * * * * * * * ^
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 21 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF MERCEDES WRIGHT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
) S S . :
COUNTY OF HINDS )
P e r s o n a l l y a ppeare d b e f o r e me, t he u n d e r s i g n e d a u t h o r
i t y i n and f o r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n a f o r e s a i d , Me rc edes W r i g h t ,
who b e i n g by me f i r s t d u l y sworn s t a t e d on her o a t h as f o l
l o w s :
1 . Deponent i s an a d u l t Negro c i t i z e n o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s t e m p o r a r i l y r e s i d i n g at 1060 B i l o x i S t r e e t , J a c k s o n ,
Mi s s i s s i p p i .
2 . Deponent i s a F i e l d S e c r e t a r y f o r t h e N a t i o n a l
A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t he Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e a s s i g n e d
101 .
t o J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i s i n c e May 20, 1 9 6 3 . In such c a p a
c i t y she has pe r f o rm ed a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and o t h e r d u t i e s f o r
t h e N . A . A . C . P . i n t h e i r J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i o f f i c e .
3 . Deponent s t a t e s t h a t members and s u p p o r t e r s o f
t h e N . A . A . C . P . have c o n d u c t e d an e x t e n s i v e campaign t o demon
s t r a t e p u b l i c l y but p e a c e f u l l y , and in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e i r
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s , t h e i r d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h p o l i c i e s o f
r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n and s e g r e g a t i o n which p o l i c i e s , p r a c
t i c e s and customs a r e e n f o r c e d by p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s o f t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n , p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s o f t h e County o f Hinds and
p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s o f the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
4 . These p r o t e s t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d i n p a r a
g ra ph t h r e e have i n c l u d e d p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g , p r o t e s t p r o c e s
s i o n s , r e q u e s t f o r s e r v i c e a t p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n s
i n t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n , and p r a y e r s e r v i c e s . A l l such demon
s t r a t i o n s wer e c on d u c t e d in a p e a c e f u l and o r d e r l y manner,
but were s w i f t l y t e r m i n a t e d pursuant t o t h e p o l i c y o f " i n
s t a n t a r r e s t " u t i l i z e d by o f f i c i a l s o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
(R331) t o a r r e s t and i n c a r c e r a t e members and s u p p o r t e r s o f t h e
N . A . A . C . P . and l i k e - m i n d e d p e r s o n s who sought t o p e a c e f u l l y
p r o t e s t r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n and s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n and
i n M i s s i s s i p p i .
5 . A l t h o ug h t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f t h o s e a r r e s t e d were
c l e a r l y p r o t e c t e d by t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s ,
102 .
t h e f o l l o w i n g i n c i d e n t s o c c u r r e d t o t h e b e s t o f d e p o n e n t ’ s
k n o w l e d g e and b e l i e f :
a . On June 1 2 , 1 963 , Medgar W. E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e
t a r y o f t h e N . A . A . C . P . i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i was a s s a s
s i n a t e d by b e i n g shot in t h e b a c k , w h i l e a l i g h t i n g f r om h i s
a u t o m o b i l e i n t h e c a r p o r t t o h i s home in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
b . On June 1 2 , 1963 , N . A . A . C . P . members a n d / o r sup
p o r t e r s p a r t i c i p a t e d in an o r d e r l y p r o t e s t p r o c e s s i o n on
Lynch S t r e e t i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n . A p p r o x i m a t e l y 87 p e r
sons wer e a r r e s t e d and c ha rg ed wi t h p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r mi t
a f t e r h a v i n g p r o g r e s s e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y two b l o c k s f r o m t h e i r
p o i n t o f commencement.
c . On June 13 , 1963, NAACP members a n d / o r s u p p o r t e r s
were a r r e s t e d w h i l e e ng ag ing i n an o r d e r l y and p e a c e f u l p r o
t e s t p r o c e s s i o n . A p p r o x i m a t e l y 80 p e r s o n s were i m m e d i a t e l y
a r r e s t e d upon commencement o f the p r o c e s s i o n and were c h a r g e d
w i t h p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t .
d . On J u l y 1 7 , 1963 , 13 Negro young p e r s o n s , a l l
but two under t he age o f 1 8 , ( one 18 y e a r s o f a g e ; one 20
y e a r s o f a g e ) were a r r e s t e d w h i l e p l a y i n g b a s e b a l l i n B a t t l e
f i e l d and L i v i n g s t o n e P a r k s , and w h i l e o t h e r w i s e u s i n g t h e
park f a c i l i t i e s in an o r d e r l y manner. B a t t l e f i e l d and
L i v i n g s t o n e par ks h e r e t o f o r e have b e en se t a s i d e f o r t h e use
o f w h i t e p e r s o n s o n l y . Those a r r e s t e d wer e c h a r g e d w i t h
103 .
b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e .
e . On J u l y 1 8 , 1963 , 10 Negro young p e r s o n s , were
a r r e s t e d w h i l e p l a y i n g b a s e b a l l in R i v e r s i d e P a r k , and w h i l e
(R332) o t h e r w i s e u s i n g t he park f a c i l i t i e s i n an o r d e r l y manner.
R i v e r s i d e Park h e r e t o f o r e has been s e t a s i d e f o r t h e use o f
w h i t e p e r s o n s o n l y . Those a r r e s t e d were c h a r g e d w i t h b r e a c h
o f t h e p e a c e .
f . On J u l y 1 8 , 1963 , two Negro young p e r s o n s were
a r r e s t e d under an a n t i - l i t t e r i n g o r d i n a n c e f o r p a s s i n g out
h a n d b i l l s . From t he t ime t h e s e p e r s o n s l e f t t h e Masoni c
H a l l and began w a l k i ng on the s i d e w a l k s t o t he t i me t he y
were i n t e r c e p t e d and a r r e s t e d by p o l i c e o f f i c i a l s o f t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n , t he y were never out o f d e p o n e n t ’ s v i e w .
Tho se a r r e s t e d n e i t h e r p as s e d out hand b i l l s nor l i t t e r e d
t h e a r e a , t h e y me re ly c a r r i e d m a t e r i a l s .
g . On J u l y 19 , 1963, t h r e e Negro y o u n g s t e r s were
a r r e s t e d on t he s t e p s o f t he YMCA w h i l e a t t e m p t i n g t o g a i n
a d m i s s i o n by e x h i b i t i n g t h e i r membership c a r d s i n t h e YMCA.
Th os e a r r e s t e d were c ha rg ed wi t h b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e .
h . On J u l y 27 , 1963, a Negro mother had a c c o m p a n i e d
h er c h i l d r e n , ag es 6 t o 11, t o R i v e r s i d e Park where t h e
c h i l d r e n were p l a y i n g and making use o f park f a c i l i t i e s . A l l
t h r e e p e r s o n s c o n d u c t e d t h e m s e l v e s in an o r d e r l y manner.
P o l i c e o f f i c i a l s o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n asked her t o l e a v e
104 .
t h e park and upon her r e f u s a l , she was a r r e s t e d and c h a r g e d
w i t h b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e .
6 . Deponent s t a t e s t ha t cash bonds f rom $100 t o
$500 were r e q u i r e d by C i t y o f f i c i a l s f o r t h e r e l e a s e o f t h e
a f o r e s a i d p e r s o n s a r r e s t e d and j a i l e d f o r a t t e m p t i n g t o p r o
t e s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and f o r a t t e m p t i n g t o use p u b l i c
r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s , which bonds t o d a t e have e x c e e d e d
$ 9 3 , 5 0 0 and have caused a s e r i o u s d r a i n on t h e f i n a n c i a l
r e s o u r c e s o f t he NAACP.
7. In a d d i t i o n , t h e C i t y ’ s p r a c t i c e o f s u b j e c t i n g
Negro and w h i t e s u p p o r t e r s o f r a c i a l e q u a l i t y t o i n s t a n t
a r r e s t and harassment f o r a t t e m p t i n g p e a c e f u l l y t o p r o t e s t
(R333) a g a i n s t s t a t e e n f o r c e d r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n ,
has i n t i m i d a t e d Negro c i t i z e n s o f J a c k s o n and has r e s u l t e d
i n t h e i r u n w i l l i n g s u b m is s i on t o the C i t y ’ s c o n t i n u e d u n c o n
s t i t u t i o n a l p o l i c y o f r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n b e c a u s e t h e y
f e a r a r r e s t and harassment by c i t y , c o u n t y and s t a t e a u t h o r
i t i e s i f t h e y seek t o e x e r c i s e r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d them by t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n .
8 . As a r e s u l t o f t h e a f o r e s a i d a r r e s t s , and h a r a s s
ment by c i t y o f f i c i a l s , supplemented on o c c a s i o n by o f f i c i a l s
o f t h e County o f Hinds and o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t o
s u p p r e s s p e a c e f u l p r o t e s t s a g a i n s t r a c i a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n and
s e g r e g a t i o n , NAACP members, o f f i c i a l s , a t t o r n e y s and s u p p o r t e r s
105 .
(R334)
(R335)
and l i k e - m i n d e d p e r s o n s have been c o m p e l l e d t o spend t i m e ,
money, and energy o b t a i n i n g t h e r e l e a s e on b a i l o f p e r s o n s
a r r e s t e d and a r r a n g i n g f o r and a p p e a r i n g at t r i a l s , and
o t h e r p r o c e e d i n g s as a d i r e c t r e s u l t o f t h e C i t y ’ s p o l i c y o f
a r r e s t i n g p r o t e s t o r s o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n , a l l i n v i o l a t i o n
o f t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s o f t h e a r r e s t e e s .
__ / s / Mercedes A n i t a W r i g h t _____
Sworn and s u b s c r i b e d t o b e f o r e
me t h i s 2 l s t day o f A ug u s t , 1 963 .
____ / s / J a c k_H . Young_____________
N o t a r y P u b l i c
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s S e p t . 28, 1 9 6 3 .
(The f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 27, 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF R. G. NICHOLS, JR. IN
OPPOSITION TO AFFIDAVIT OF JACK YOUNG
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
T h is day p e r s o n a l l y a pp e a r e d b e f o r e me, t h e u n d e r
s i g n e d a u t h o r i t y i n and f o r the s t a t e and c o u n t y a f o r e s a i d ,
d u l y c om mi s s i o n e d by law t o a d m i n i s t e r o a t h s and t a k e
a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s , R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , who, b e i n g by me f i r s t
106 .
(R336)
d u l y sworn , s t a t e s on h i s o a t h j
1* That , a f f i a n t i s one o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s i n t h e
a b o v e s t y l e d and numbered c a u s e ;
2 . That , a f f i a n t i s A s s i s t a n t C i t y P r o s e c u t i n g
A t t o r n e y f o r the C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , and was p r e s
ent i n h i s o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y at t he County Court o f t he
F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t o f Hinds Count y , M i s s i s s i p p i , on
August 1 2 , 1 963 , when the 233 p e r s o n s cha rg e d w i t h b r e a c h
o f t h e p e a c e , t r e s p a s s , o b s t r u c t i n g s i d e w a l k s and p a r a d i n g
w i t h o u t p e r m i t s were a r r a i g n e d ;
3 . T h a t , -a f f i a n t d e n i e s t h a t t h e a r r a i g n m e n t o f
s a i d p e r s o n s grew out o f ’ ’ p e a c e f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s p r o t e s t i n g
t h e e n f o r c e m e n t o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n in
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ” ; t h a t , s a id a r r a i g n m e n t s were t h e
r e s u l t o f a p p e a l s f rom c o n v i c t i o n s b e f o r e t h e M u n i c i p a l Court
o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ; t h a t , t he p r o c e d u r e f o r s a i d a p p e a l s
i s c o n t r o l l e d by S e c t i o n 1617, T i t l e 10 , Chapter 5, M i s s i s
s i p p i Code o f 1 942 , as amended; t h a t , sa id p r o c e d u r e i s
j u r i s d i c t i o n a l and was s t r i c t l y adhered t o at t h e s a i d
a r r a i g n m e n t s ; t h a t , each o f sa id De f enda nt s was c h a r g e d on
a s e p a r a t e a f f i d a v i t b e f o r e the C i t y Court and t hus t h e
Co unt y Court se t each ca se f o r t r i a l on t he f i r s t day o f
v a r i o u s weeks o v e r a p e r i o d o f t ime f rom September 9 , 1963
u n t i l June 1 , 1 9 64 ; t h a t , no o b j e c t i o n was v o i c e d by any
107 .
(R33 7 )
(R338)
De fe nda nt a l l o f whom were r e p r e s e n t e d by c o u n s e l , a t t he
t i m e o f s a i d a r r a i g n m e n t s .
4 . F u r th e r a f f i a n t s a i t h n o t .
__ / s / R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . ________
R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , A f f i a n t
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s 23rd day o f A u g u s t ,
1963 .
__ / s / W. E . G o r e , J r . ____________
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commiss ion E x p i r e s Dec . 17 , 1 963 .
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns t r u m e nt c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 27 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF J . L. RAY, S . B. BARNES AND
JOHN OSBORNE IN OPPOSITION TO AFFIDAVIT
______________ OF SHIRLEY CATCHINCS____________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
T hi s day p e r s o n a l l y a pp ea r ed b e f o r e me, t h e u n d e r
s i g n e d a u t h o r i t y i n and f o r the s t a t # and c o u n t y a f o r e s a i d ,
d u l y co mm i s s i o n e d by law t o ad mi n i s t e r o a t h s and t a k e
a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s , J • L. Ray, S. B. B a r n e s , and John O s b o r n e ,
who , b e i n g by me f i r s t d u l y sworn, s t a t e s on t h e i r o a t h s .
1 . A f f i a n t , J . L. Ray s t a t e s t h a t he i s , and was at
t h e t i m e o f t h e a r r e s t o f S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s on May 3 l , 1 963 ,
108 .
(R339) a Deputy C h i e f o f t h e J a c ks o n P o l i c e Depart ment ; t h a t , he
was in command o f the d e t a i l o f p o l i c e who a r r e s t e d S h i r l e y
C a t c h i n g s ; t h a t , at t he t ime o f s a i d a r r e s t , a f f i a n t i n
q u i r e d o v e r a l o u d s p e a k e r , whether S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s , or
any o f her g r o u p , had a permit t o p a r a d e ; t h a t , a f t e r none
o f t h e group was a b l e t o p r o du c e a p e r m i t , a f f i a n t t he n
t o l d t h i s group t o d i s p e r s e and t h a t t h e y would not be a r r e s t
e d : a b o u t 50 p e r s o n s l e f t t he f o r m a t i o n and moved o n ; t h a t ,
a f f i a n t t hen made t he announcement a g a i n ; t h a t , a f f i a n t then
a r r e s t e d S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s and her group f o r p a r a d i n g w i t h
out a p e r m i t ;
T ha t , a f f i a n t then r a d i o e d f o r t r u c k s t o t r a n s p o r t
t h e p r i s o n e r s t o j a i l ; t h a t , w h i l e a w a i t i n g s a i d t r a n s p o r t a
t i o n , t h i s group became v e r y d i s o r d e r l y so t h a t a f f i a n t had
t o c a l l f o r r e i n f o r c e m e n t s in o r d e r t o c o n t a i n t h e g r o u p ;
T h a t , a f f i a n t d e n i e s that t h i s group was e i t h e r
o r d e r l y a n d / o r p r o t e s t i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n at t h e t i m e o f
t h e i r a r r e s t .
T ha t , a f f i a n t would show t h a t c o v e r e d v e h i c l e s
d e s i g n e d t o haul ga rb ag e were used i n t r a n s p o r t i n g some o f
s a i d p r i s o n e r s ; t h a t , s a i d t r u c k s were a l l new t r u c k s wh ich
had not t h e n been used at a l l f o r t h e h a u l i n g o f g a r b a g e
a n d / o r t r a s h ; t h a t , a f f i a n t saw no unusual o p e r a t i o n o f s a i d
v e h i c l e s such as e x c e s s i v e a c c e l e r a t i n g o r b r a k i n g o f s a i d
109 .
(R340)
v e h i c l e s ;
2 . A f f i a n t , S. B. Bar ne s , s t a t e s t h a t he i s , and was
on May 3 1 , 1 9 63 , a Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e J a c k s o n
P o l i c e Department , and was t h e o f f i c e r in c h a r g e o f t h e
t e m p o r a r y j a i l a t the F a i r g r o u n d s in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
on May 31, 1 9 63 ; t h a t , b o t h c o t s and m a t t r e s s e s were a v a i l
a b l e f o r , and o f f e r e d t o each o f t h e p r i s o n e r s housed at s a i d
t e m p o r a r y j a i l ; t h a t , some p r i s o n e r s a c c e p t e d t h e s a i d c o t s
and m a t t r e s s e s but o t h e r s c h o s e t o s l e e p on t h e f l o o r ; t h a t ,
a f f i a n t has no p e r s o n a l knowledge o f t h e c h o i c e e x e r c i s e d by
S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s at s a i d t ime on s a i d d a t e ;
T ha t , a f f i a n t was t he o f f i c e r i n c h a r g e o f s a i d
t e m p o r a r y j a i l on June 12, 1 9 63 ; t h a t , no h e a t e r s were
t u r n e d on a t e i t h e r o f s a i d b u i l d i n g s c o m p r i s i n g s a i d
t emporary ja i l .
3 . A f f i a n t , John Osbor ne , s t a t e s t ha t he i s J u v e n i l e
O f f i c e r o f t h e J a c k s o n P o l i c e Department and s e r v e s i n t h e
same c a p a c i t y f o r t he Youth Court o f t h e F i r s t J u d i c i a l
D i s t r i c t o f Hinds Count y , M i s s i s s i p p i ; t h a t , h e r e t o f o r e ,
a f f i a n t has f i l e d h e r e i n an a f f i d a v i t in o p p o s i t i o n t o an
a f f i d a v i t o f Mrs. Bennie Lee C a t c h i n g s which c o m p l e t e l y
c o v e r s t h e i n c i d e n t c o n c e r n i n g t h e remov al o f S h i r l e y
C a t c h i n g s f rom the r e s t r o o m o f t he t e mp o ra ry j a i l ;
T h a t , S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s was a r r e s t e d on May 3 1 , 1963
I l l
(R342)
(R 3 4 3 )
J a i l and a t t he t emp ora ry c i t y j a i l on b ot h June 1 and June
2 , 1963 ; t h a t , f o o d was made a v a i l a b l e t o a l l p r i s o n e r s in
t h e u s u a l manner on t h o s e d a y s ; t h a t , i f S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s
d i d not eat a t some s e r v i n g , i t was a ma tt er o f her own
choo s i n g .
4 . F u r t h e r a f f i a n t s s a i t h n o t .
__ / s / J ■ L ._Ray____________________
J . L. RAY, AFFIANT
/ s / S. B. Bar n es________________
S. B. BARNES, AFFIANT
__ / s / John O s b o r n e________________
JOHN OSBORNE, AFFIANT
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s 23rd day o f August
1963 .
/ s / R o b e r t G. Ni c h o l s . J r .
NOTARY PUBLIC
MY COMM. EX: 1 0 / 2 / 6 3 __
(The f o r e g o i n g ins t rum ent c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED AUG 27 1963)
AFFIDAVIT OF R. G. NICHOLS, J R . , BEAVERS
ARMSTRONG, J . L. RAY, C. J . HUSBANDS, E.
E. SMITH, D. A. NICHOLS, J . H. WILLIAMS,
AND G. H. BLACKWELL IN OPPOSITION TO
AF F I DAVIT OF MERCEDES WRIGHT__________________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF HINDS
112.
T h i s day p e r s o n a l l y a pp ea re d b e f o r e me, t h e u n d e r
s i g n e d a u t h o r i t y i n and f o r t h e s t a t e and c o u n t y a f o r e s a i d ,
d u l y c o m m i ss io n ed by law t o a d m i n i s t e r o a t h s and t a k e
a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s , R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , Be av er s A r m s t r o n g , J . L.
Ray , C. J . Husbands, E. E. Smith, D. A. N i c h o l s , J . H.
W i l l i a m s and G. H. B l a c k w e l l , who, b e i n g f i r s t by me d u l y
swo rn , s t a t e on t h e i r o a t h s :
1 . A f f i a n t , R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , s t a t e s t h a t he i s
t h e A s s i s t a n t C i t y P r o s e c u t i n g A t t o r n e y f o r t h e C i t y o f
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , and one o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s in t h e a b o v e
s t y l e d and numbered c a u s e ; t h a t , a f f i a n t d e n i e s t h a t t h e
members a n d / o r s u p p o r t e r s o f the N . A . A . C . P . have c o n d u c t e d
any d e m o n s t r a t i o n s in t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n which have been
p e a c e f u l p r o t e s t s o f any a l l e g e d p o l i c i e s o f r a c i a l d i s c r i m i
n a t i o n and s e g r e g a t i o n ; a f f i a n t d e n i e s t h a t t h e r e i s any such
p o l i c y e n f o r c e d by t h e o f f i c i a l s o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n ;
A f f i a n t would f u r t h e r show t ha t such a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e
N . A . A . C . P . have erup te d i n t o v i o l e n c e on more than one o c c a
s i o n i n s a i d c i t y r e s u l t i n g i n p e r s o n a l i n j u r y and damage t o
p u b l i c and t o p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y ;
A f f i a n t would f u r t h e r s t a t e t h a t a l l a r r e s t s made i n
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n have been f o r the c l e a r v i o l a t i o n o f
e i t h e r a c i t y o r d i n a n c e or a s t a t e s t a t u t e ; t h a t , members
o f t h e N . A . A . C . P . have been a r r e s t e d no more i n s t a n t l y t ha n
have been o t h e r c i t i z e n s who have commi t ted f e l o n i e s or
misdemeanors in t h e p r e s e n c e o f a p o l i c e o f f i c e r ;
a dmit s t h a t a p p e a r a n c e bonds and a p p e a l bonds
have be en s e t a t f rom $ 10 0 . 00 t o $ 5 0 0 . 0 0 in c a s e s d e a l t w i t h
i n t h e M u n i c i p a l Court o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ; A f f i a n t would
p o i n t out t h a t t h e s e a r e minimum bonds a l l o w e d i n s a i d Court
and t h a t t h e N . A . A . C . P . o f i t s own c h o o s i n g e l e c t e d t o p o s t
c a s h bonds r a t h e r t han p r o p e r t y b o n d s ;
A f f i a n t f u r t h e r d e n i e s t h a t t h e a r r e s t o f p a r t i e s f o r
(R345) misdemeanor s has i n t i m i d a t e d any o f t h e c i t i z e n s o f J a c k s o n ;
a f f i a n t d e n i e s t he s u p p r e s s i o n o f any r i g h t s g u a r a n t e e d t h e
c i t i z e n s by t h e Uni te d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n , by o f f i c i a l s
a n d / o r p o l i c e o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
A f f i a n t admi ts t ha t i t has t a k e n some t i m e f o r t h e
a t t o r n e y s f o r t h e p a r t i e s cha rg e d w i t h misdemeanors t o
a r r a n g e b a i l , a t t e n d t r i a l , e t c . but d e n i e s t h a t t h i s p r o
c e d u r e i s a t a l l d i f f e r e n t f rom any o t h e r c a s e s b r o u g h t on
b e f o r e t h e M u n i c i p a l Court o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s
s i p p i a n d / o r t he County Court o f t h e F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t
o f Hinds Count y , M i s s i s s i p p i , and i s done t o s u p p r e s s any
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s of the a r r e s t e e s .
2 . A f f i a n t , J . L. Ray, Deputy P o l i c e C h i e f o f C i t y
o f J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , s t a t e s t h a t at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 2 : 3 5
P.M. on June 13 , 1 963 , a group o f 84 p e r s o n s , 45 o f them
113 .
1 1 4 .
(R 3 4 6 )
j u v e n i l e s , began a marching par ad e f r om a M e t h o d i s t Church
on P e a r l S t r e e t , marching west on P e a r l S t r e e t t o Rose S t r e e t s
where t h e y t u r n e d n o r t h and marched t o Deer park S t r e e t i n
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ; t h a t , t h i s group was c a r r y i n g f l a g s ,
were s i n g i n g and c h a n t i n g ; t h a t , t h i s group was s t o p p e d and
a s ke d i f t h e y had a p er mi t t o p a r a d e ; t h a t , none o f t h e
m a r c h e r s had a p e r m i t ; t h a t , t h e y were t h e n o f f e r e d an o p p o r
t u n i t y t o d i s p e r s e ; t h a t , upon t h e i r r e f u s a l t o d i s c o n t i n u e
t h e i r p a r a d e t hey were p l a c e d under a r r e s t and t r a n s p o r t e d to
t h e C i t y J a i l .
T ha t , on J u l y 17 , 1963, a f f i a n t a r r e s t e d 6 j u v e n i l e s
a t L i v i n g s t o n Park in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ; t h a t , b e c a u s e a
b r e a c h o f t h e p e ac e was about t o o c c u r , a f f i a n t o r d e r e d s a i d
j u v e n i l e s to move out o f t he a r e a ; t h a t , upon t h e i r r e f u s a l
t o do s o , a f f i a n t p l a c e d them under a r r e s t f o r v i o l a t i n g
S e c t i o n 2 0 8 7 . 5 , M i s s i s s i p p i Code o f 1 9 4 2 , as amended;
3 . A f f i a n t , C. J . Husbands, an o f f i c e r o f t h e
J a c k s o n P o l i c e Department , s t a t e s t h a t on J u l y 1 7 , 1 9 63 ,
w h i l e on duty as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he o r d e r e d two a d u l t s and
f o u r j u v e n i l e s t o move out o f the area o f B a t t l e f i e l d Park
i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , b ec au se a b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e was
a b o u t t o o c c u r ; t h a t , a f t e r t h e sa id p e r s o n s r e f u s e d t o o b e y
h i s command, a f f i a n t a r r e s t e d them c h a r g i n g them w i t h a v i o
l a t i o n o f S e c t i o n 2 0 8 7 . 5 , M i s s i s s i p p i Code o f 1 9 42 , as amended.
115 .
(R347 )
4 . A f f i a n t , E. E. Smith, an o f f i c e r o f t h e J a c k s o n
P o l i c e Depart ment , s t a t e s t ha t on J u l y 1 8 , 1 9 63 , w h i l e on
d u t y as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he o r d e r e d one a d u l t and n i n e
j u v e n i l e s t o move out o f the area o f R i v e r s i d e P a r k , J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i , b ec a us e a b re a ch o f t he p e a c e was a bout t o o c c u r
t h a t , a f t e r s a i d p e r s o n s r e f u s e d t o o b ey h i s command, a f f i a n t
a r r e s t e d them c h a r g i n g them w i t h a v i o l a t i o n o f S e c t i o n
2 0 8 7 . 5 , M i s s i s s i p p i Code o f 1942 , as amended; t h a t , R o b e r t
Y oung , a g e 16 , one o f t h e a r r e s t e d p a r t i e s , s t a t e d t o a f f i a n t
t h a t he had been i n s t r u c t e d by one Dave Dennis not t o o b e y
t h e p o l i c e .
5 . A f f i a n t , D. A. N i c h o l s , an o f f i c e r o f t h e J a c k s o n
P o l i c e Dep art men t , s t a t e s t h a t on J u l y 1 8 , 1 963 , w h i l e on
d u t y as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he a r r e s t e d two p a r t i e s on Lynch
S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , in p o s s e s s i o n o f a l a r g e
c o l l e c t i o n o f hand b i l l s ; t h a t , when q u e s t i o n e d , b o t h p a r t i e s
a d m i t t e d t o a f f i a n t that t hey had been d i s t r i b u t i n g same;
t h a t , n e i t h e r o f sa id p a r t i e s had a p e r m i t , whereupon a f f i a n t
a r r e s t e d b o t h c h a r g i n g them wi t h a v i o l a t i o n o f a c i t y
o r d i n a n c e p r o h i b i t i n g t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f h a n d b i l l s w i t h o u t
h a v i n g f i r s t o b t a i n e d a p e r m i t ;
6 . A f f i a n t , J . H. W i l l i a m s , an o f f i c e r o f the
J a c k s o n P o l i c e Department , s t a t e s t ha t on J u l y 19 , 1 9 63 ,
w h i l e on d ut y as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he was d i s p a t c h e d t o t h e
116 .
(R348)
Y. M. C. A. b u i l d i n g on High S t r e e t in J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
t h a t , when he a r r i v e d , one a d u l t and f o u r m ino rs were on t h e
p r e m i s e s ; t h a t , the P r e s i d e n t and the G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y o f
t h e Y. M. C. A. were p r e s e n t and r e q u e s t e d t h e p a r t i e s t o
l e a v e ; t h a t , upon t h e i r r e f u s a l to do s o , t h e s e D e f e n d a n t s
wer e a r r e s t e d and charged wi t h t r e s p a s s .
7. A f f i a n t , G. H. B l a c k w e l l , an o f f i c e r o f t h e
J a c k s o n P o l i c e Department , s t a t e s t h a t on J u l y 27 , 1 9 63 ,
w h i l e on d ut y as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he a r r e s t e d f o u r j u v e
n i l e s a t R i v e r s i d e Park, J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , a f t e r he
d e t e r m i n e d a b r e a c h o f t he p e a c e was a bo ut t o o c c u r ; t h a t ,
s a i d j u v e n i l e s were t r a n s p o r t e d to t h e M u n i c i p a l Court B u i l d
i n g and t u r n e d o v e r t o the o f f i c e r s o f t h e J u v e n i l e C o u r t .
8 . A f f i a n t , Beavers Armst rong , an o f f i c e r o f t h e
J a c k s o n P o l i c e Department , s t a t e s t h a t on June 12 , 1 963 ,
w h i l e on d ut y as a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , he a r r e s t e d 146 p e r s o n s
f o r p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r mi t on Lynch S t r e e t , J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i ; t h a t , p r i o r t o such a r r e s t s , a f f i a n t s t o p p e d
t h e p a r a d e r s and asked i f t h e y had a p e r mi t f o r such a c t i
v i t y : upon b e i n g t o l d by spokesmen i n t h e p ar ad e t h a t t h e y
d i d no t a f f i a n t asked them t o c e as e t h e p a r a d i n g and t o
d i s p e r s e ; t h a t , t he y r e f u s e d to do s o , whe reupo n, a f f i a n t
o r d e r e d t h e i r a r r e s t .
9 . F u r t h e r a f f i a n t s s a i t h n o t .
1 17 .
(R 3 4 9)
(R4 5 2)
- / s / R » G._N i c h o l s . J r ._____________
R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , A f f i a n t
M L B e a v e r s Armstrong_________
Beavers A r m s t ro ng , A f f i a n t
/ s / J . L . Ray_______________
J . L . Ray, A f f i a n t
_ / s / C. J . Husbands_________ __
C. J . Husbands, A f f i a n t
/ s / E . E . Smi t h__________________
E. E. Smith, A f f i a n t
/ s / D. A . N i c h o l s __________
D. A. N i c h o l s , A f f i a n t
/ s / J . H. Wil l i a ms______________________
J . H. W i l l i a m s , A f f i a n t
/ s / G. H. B l a c k w e l l ____________________
G. H. B l a c k w e l l , A f f i a n t
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME t h i s 26th day o f A u g u s t ,
1 9 6 3 .
/ s / Mi ld red A . Baker___________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
MY COMM. EX:__ 1 / 1 6 /66
(The f o r e g o i n g ins tr ument c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JAN 10 1964)
The p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e seek a t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c
t i o n a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s as law e nf orc eme nt o f f i c e r s in
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , coun ty o f Hinds , and s t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i ,
1 1 8 .
(R4 53 )
to e n j o i n the a r r e s t and t r i a l o f a l a r g e group (300 or more)
o f ne g ro and w h i t e c i t i z e n s who have been c h a r g e d and a r e
f a c e d w i t h t r i a l s in t h e s t a t e c o u r t f o r v a r i o u s o f f e n s e s
a l l e g e d t o have been committed in J a c ks o n l a s t summer. Th i s
i s an e x t r e m e l y c o m p l i c a t e d and i n v o l v e d and v e r y t e c h n i c a l
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l c o n t r o v e r s y . I t i s s t a t e d in two c o u n t s .
The p r o b a b i l i t i e s are that the c o m p l a i n t c o u l d have been
im pr o ve d and c l a r i f i e d by a more c a r e f u l o b s e r v a n c e o f C i v i l
R u l e 1 0 ( b ) . I heard t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n on Count One o f t h e
c o m p l a i n t on a f f i d a v i t s f rom both s i d e s , and on t he t e s t i m o n y
o f t h r e e p a r t i e s c a l l e d as a d v e r s e w i t n e s s e s . Judge Mize
w i l l p r e s e n t l y make h i s s e p a r a t e F i n d i n g s and C o n c l u s i o n s on
t h e s e c o n d c ount o f t h i s c o m p l a i n t . The a f f i d a v i t s p r e s e n t e d
on b o t h s i d e s a r e couched in l e g a l i s t i c l a n g u a g e and a r e
a l m o s t e n t i r e l y c o n c l u s i o n a r y in na t ur e and do not p r e s e n t
t o t h e Court t he w i t n e s s e s ’ v e r s i o n o f i m p o r t a n t d i s p u t e d
f a c t u a l d e t a i l s o f t he i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v e d . The Court has
n e v e r t h e l e s s c a r e f u l l y a n a l y z e d and a p p r a i s e d t h i s e v i d e n c e
and t e s t i m o n y , and now makes i t s d uly c o n s i d e r e d F i n d i n g o f
F a c t s and C o n c l u s i o n s o f Law t h e r e o n .
FINDING OF FACTS
The NAACP i s a c o r p o r a t i o n c h a r t e r e d and o r g a n i z e d
under t h e laws o f the s t a t e o f New Y or k . Roy W i l k i n s and
W i l l i e B. Ludden are n o n - r e s i d e n t s o f M i s s i s s i p p i . Medgar
1 19 .
Ever s i s d e a d . Rev. Ralph Edwin King , D o r i s E r s k i n e and
D o n s A l l i s o n a r e c i t i z e n s o f M i s s i s s i p p i . Some o f t h e i n d i
v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s a r e negro and some o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e
w h i t e c i t i z e n s . The d e f e n d a n t s a r e o f f i c i a l s o f t h e c i t y o f
J a c k s o n , Hinds County and s t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i . S i n c e May
2 7 , 1 9 63 , some o f t he p l a i n t i f f s have been a r r e s t e d and some
o t h e r n eg ro and w h i t e c i t i z e n s who a r e not p a r t i e s t o t h i s
s u i t have been a r r e s t e d in t h e c i t y o f J a c k s o n and c h a r g e d
w i t h t r e s p a s s i n g , b rea ch o f p e a c e , d i s o r d e r l y c o n d u c t ,
p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a l i c e n s e and d e l i v e r i n g hand b i l l s w i t h o u t
a p e r m i t . The named p l a i n t i f f s seek t o b r i n g t h i s s u i t as a
c l a s s a c t i o n f o r t h e m se l v es and f o r a bout t h r e e hundred o t h e r
n e g r o and w h i t e c i t i z e n s o f M i s s i s s i p p i who have been a r r e s t
ed and p r e s e n t l y f a c e t r i a l s on such c h a r g e s . The p l a i n t i f f s ’
e v i d e n c e shows t h a t some of them and t h e o t h e r s who a r e not
p a r t i e s were a r r e s t e d f o r s a i d o f f e n s e s , and t h a t t h e y were
m i s t r e a t e d by t h e p o l i c e , and t ha t t h e y were o b l i g e d t o p o s t
c a s h bonds f o r t h e i r appe ara nce in the s t a t e c o u r t a g g r e g a t
i n g many t h o u sa n d d o l l a r s . The d e f e n d a n t s w i t h eq ua l f o r c e
deny any wrong d o i n g and deny t h a t t h e s e negro and w h i t e
c i t i z e n s were u n l a w f u l l y a r r e s t e d , i m p r o p e r l y t r e a t e d , o r
t r e a t e d in any manner d i f f e r e n t f rom t h e t r e a t m e n t a c c o r d e d
any o t h e r p e r s o n v i o l a t i n g t he l aw. The p l a i n t i f f s b ase t h i s
s u i t i n i t s e n t i r e t y upon an a s s e r t e d v i o l a t i o n o f t h e i r
120 .
C i v i l R i g h t s under c o l o r or s a n c t i o n o f law in f u r t h e r a n c e
o f a r u l e o f l aw, a custom and an i n g r a i n e d p r a c t i c e o f d i s
c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t n e gr oe s in f u r t h e r a n c e o f an a l l e g e d
s t a t e p o l i c y o f s e g r e g a t i o n . The d e f e n d a n t s on t h e o t h e r
(R454) hand deny such c h a r g e s in i t s e n t i r e t y and a s s e r t t h a t d i s
c r i m i n a t i o n and s e g r e g a t i o n a r e i n no w i s e i n v o l v e d i n any
o f t h e s e c o n t r o v e r s i e s wi t h t h e p l a i n t i f f s and t h e o t h e r
n o n - p a r t i e s t o t h i s s u i t . The d e f e n d a n t s a s s e r t e m p h a t i c a l l y
t h a t n e i t h e r t h e c i t y o f J a c k s o n , Hinds County nor t he s t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i has any law, any p o l i c y , any r u l e , any r e g u
l a t i o n , any d i r e c t i v e , any s e c r e t u n d e r s t a n d i n g , o r o t h e r
f o r c e wh ich may be c h a r a c t e r i z e d as b e i n g under c o l o r o f law
t o c o n s t i t u t e s t a t e a c t i o n , which r e g u l a t e s or g o v e r n s s e g r e
g a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s , or d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t t h e n eg ro
r a c e . The d e f e n d a n t s say t h a t s i n c e May 27, 1 963 , t h a t t he
p o l i c e o f J a c k s o n wi t h the a s s i s t a n c e o f o t h e r o f f i c i a l s ,
have b ee n o b l i g e d to a r r e s t l a r g e numbers o f t h e s e p e o p l e who
wer e b ent upon d e m o n s t r a t i n g and making p u b l i c n u i s a n c e s o f
t h e m s e l v e s i n p u b l i c p l a c e s ; t r e s p a s s i n g on p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y ,
b l o c k i n g t he s t r e e t s and s i d e w a l k s i n t h e b u s i e s t b u s i n e s s
a r e a i n t h e l a r g e s t c i t y in M i s s i s s i p p i and i n v i o l a t i n g
v a l i d s t a t e laws f o r a l l o f which t h e y shou ld s t and t r i a l .
The p l a i n t i f f s i n s i s t t h a t t h e i r d e m o n s t r a t i n g t o o k t h e f o rm
o f p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g , p r a y e r s e r v i c e s in f r o n t o f p u b l i c
121 .
b u i l d i n g s in J a ck s o n and p a r a d i n g i n t h e s t r e e t s as t h e i r
p r o t e s t a g a i n s t s e g r e g a t i o n thus shown t hr o u g h f r e e s p e e c h .
The d e f e n d a n t s d i s p e l any idea t h a t s a i d a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e
p l a i n t i f f s can be p r o p e r l y c h a r a c t e r i z e d as b e i n g w i t h i n
t h e i r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s and o u t s i d e t h e ra ng e o f c r i m i n a l
a c c o u n t a b i l i t y t o t h e c i t y and s t a t e t h e r e f o r . T hr e e i n c i
d e n t s i n t h e p u b l i c parks i n J a c k s o n a r e m e n t i o n e d , but no
a f f i d a v i t f o r e i t h e r s i d e s t a t e s s u f f i c i e n t f a c t s t o e na b l e
t h e C ourt to say whether o r not t h o s e n e g r o e s who a r e not
p a r t i e s were a r r e s t e d s o l e l y in f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h e p o l i c y o f
t h e s t a t e s t a t u t e r e l a t i n g t h e r e t o which would be c l e a r l y in
v i o l a t i o n o f l aw.
Some negro and some w h i t e c i t i z e n s were engaged in an
a l l e g e d ’ ’ p r a y e r s e r v i c e ” on t he s t e p s o f t h e p o s t o f f i c e at
(R455) J a c k s o n and on the s t e p s of the c i t y h a l l in J a c k s o n , but
t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s a r e not i d e n t i f i e d , nor i s t h e i r a c t i v i t y
and t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n c i d e n t t h e r e t o s t a t e d w i t h any
c l a r i t y i n t he p l e a d i n g s or the e v i d e n c e . Some n e g r o c i t i
zens w e r e r e f u s e d s e r v i c e at a w h i t e r e s t a u r a n t by t h e manage
ment b e c a u s e o f t h e i r r a c e . The e v i d e n c e do es not show what
i t was s p e c i f i c a l l y t h a t d i s p l e a s e d t h e mixed group which
was engaged i n p i c k e t i n g a p r i v a t e l y owned and o p e r a t e d
s t o r e . I t i s i n t i m a t e d by t he p l e a d i n g s and i s i n f e r r e d f r o m
t h e e v i d e n c e that t h e y were d i s p l e a s e d w i t h t h e r a t i o o f
122 .
c o l o r e d p e o p l e h i r e d by t h e s t o r e and were d i s p l e a s e d at
n e g r o e s not b e i n g se rv ed in t h i s p r i v a t e l y owned a l l - w h i t e
r e s t a u r a n t . There i s no e v i d e n c e t o show t h a t t h e d e f e n d
a n t s have any law, o r d i n a n c e , p o l i c y o r p r a c t i c e which d i c
t a t e s t o a p r i v a t e owner and o p e r a t o r o f a p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s
( n o t a u t i l i t y ) whom he w i l l s e r v e , or whom he w i l l e m pl o y .
The mayor o f J ac kson and h i s c h i e f o f p o l i c e t e s t i f i e d v e r y
p o s i t i v e l y and v ery e m p h a t i c a l l y t ha t t h e y do not have any
such p o l i c y o r pursue any such p r a c t i c e i n J a c k s o n .
I t i s incumbent upon the p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e t o
show by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f the e v i d e n c e : F i r s t , t h a t t h e y
a r e t h e r e a l p a r t i e s i n i n t e r e s t w i t h i n t h e p u r v i e w o f C i v i l
R u l e 1 7 ( a ) ; and that they have a g e nu i n e c l a i m o f t h e i r own
a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s f o r which t h e y a r e p e r s o n a l l y e n t i t l e d
t o r e l i e f f o r t h e m s e l v e s ; Second , t h a t t h e i r c l a i m i s so
u r g e n t and i s o f such nature that f u l l and c o m p l e t e r e l i e f
c a n n o t be g r a n t e d and that they w i l l p e r s o n a l l y s u f f e r i r
r e p a r a b l e damage and i r r e p a r a b l e i n j u r y u n l e s s an i n j u n c t i o n
be i s s u e d t o e n j o i n and r e s t r a i n t h e o f f e n d i n g a c t s . The
c o m p l a i n t i n t h i s s u i t s t a t e s a ca se a g a i n s t t h e d e f e n d a n t s
under C i v i l Rule 8, but t he p r o o f on t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a
t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n does not show by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e
e v i d e n c e t h a t t he named p l a i n t i f f s ( o r e i t h e r o f them) have
(R 4 5 6 ) any r i g h t t o an i n j u n c t i o n , or any need f o r an i n j u n c t i o n in
123 .
t h i s c a s e . The p l a i n t i f f s s imply have not shown t o t h i s
Court by any c l e a r and c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e i r r i g h t
t o an i n j u n c t i o n i s f r e e o f r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t ; but such c l a i m
t o an i n j u n c t i o n i s f u l l o f doubt i n t h i s c a s e . The p l a i n -
t i f f s have t hus f a i l e d t o p r o v e by t h e n e c e s s a r y quantum o f
e v i d e n c e o f s u f f i c i e n t q u a l i t y t o r e a s o n a b l y c o n v i n c e t h i s
Court i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f a sound j u d i c i a l d i s c r e t i o n , t h a t
i t s h o u l d i s s u e t h i s e x t r a o r d i n a r y p r o c e s s . Such p r o c e s s
s h o u l d be r e s e r v e d f o r e x c e p t i o n a l c a s e s when an a b s o l u t e
em er ge nc y and need e x i s t s t h e r e f o r , and t h us i m p e l s i t s
i s s u a n c e t o a s s u r e c om p l e te j u s t i c e between t h e p a r t i e s .
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
( 1 ) This Court has f u l l j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h i s c l a i m
on b e h a l f o f t h e r e a l named p a r t i e s in i n t e r e s t h e r e i n , and
o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s ; but has no d i v e r s i t y j u r i s d i c t i o n in t h i s
c a s e ;
( 2 ) T h i s i s not a t h r e e j u d g e c a s e , but i s one f o r a
s i n g l e j u d g e t o d i s p o s e o f under w e l l r e c o g n i z e d and w e l l
s e t t l e d l e g a l p r i n c i p l e s ;
( 3 ) S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 , M i s s i s s i p p i Code 1942 i s a
d e c l a r a t i o n o f p u b l i c p o l i c y on b e h a l f o f t he s t a t e as t o
s e g r e g a t i o n o f the r a c e s by l a w f u l means in p u b l i c p a r k s and
p u b l i c p l a c e s o f amusement. The e v i d e n c e in t h i s c a s e i s
no t c l e a r and does not c o n t a i n s u f f i c i e n t f a c t s t o show t h a t
124 .
t hose n e g r o e s on t h o s e o c c a s i o n s were a r r e s t e d i n t h o s e
parks i n J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , w i t h o u t j u s t and p r o p e r c a u s e
t h e r e f o r . This Court must presume and d o e s presume as a mat
ter o f law t h a t such a r r e s t s were p r o p e r i n each i n s t a n c e and
that such a r r e s t s had no r e l a t i o n t o or b e a r i n g w h a t s o e v e r
upon such p o l i c y o f s e g r e g a t i o n ; t h e same o b s e r v a t i o n i s
made as t o S e c . 2 0 5 6 ( 7 ) M i s s i s s i p p i Code 1 9 4 2 ; o t h e r w i s e , t h e
o f f e n d e d p a r t y might be e n t i t l e d t o an i n j u n c t i o n h e r e ;
( 4 ) I t a p p e a r s t o t h e Court as t o t h e o t h e r i n c i d e n t s
that t h e o f f e n d e d p a r t y c o u l d a s s e r t e v e r y d e f e n s e i n t h e
s t ate c o u r t which c o u l d be a s s e r t e d h e r e . I t i s not t h e
(R457) p o l i c y o f t h e F e d e r a l law t o r i d e herd o v e r , o r e x e r c i s e
s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e d i s p a t c h o f b u s i n e s s i n t h e c r i m i n a l
courts o f t h e s t a t e . That p r i n c i p l e i s t h e v e r y m u d s i l l o f
our dual c o n s t i t u t i o n a l sys t em as i s s e t t l e d i n D o u g l a s v .
J e a n ne t t e , 319 US 1 5 7 ; 63 S . C t . 8 7 7 ; and B a i l e y v . P a t t e r s o n.
368 US 3 46 ; 82 S . C t . 2 8 2 ; and many o t h e r c a s e s ;
( 5 ) The r e a l p a r t i e s i n i n t e r e s t who a r e named as
p l a i n t i f f s h a v i n g f a i l e d t o show t o t he C o u r t by a p r e p o n
derance o f t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e t h a t an i n j u n c t i o n i s
ne ce s sa r y , or t h a t t h e y a r e e n t i t l e d t o an i n j u n c t i o n t o
prevent i r r e p a r a b l e damage o r i n j u r y ; i t i s t h e c o n s i d e r e d
judgment o f t h i s Court i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f a sound j u d i c i a l
d i s c r e t i o n u n de r t h e f a c t s and c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n t h i s c a s e ,
125 .
that a p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n i s not n e c e s s a r y and s h o u l d
not i s s u e , and t h e r e q u e s t t h e r e f o r w i l l be d e n i e d . The
wri t o f i n j u n c t i o n i s an e x t r a o r d i n a r y p r o c e s s and i t must
be r e s e r v e d f o r e x c e p t i o n a l c a s e s where i t s need i s more
a p p a r e n t . Na t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advan c e ment o f
Colored P e o p l e , et a l v . A l l e n Thompson. Ma y o r o f J a c k s o n.
et a l . (5CA) 321 F . 2 d 1 9 9 .
The Court i n v i t e s an e a r l y p r e t r i a l c o n f e r e n c e in t h i s
case f o r t h e s e t t l e m e n t o f t h e q u e s t i o n as t o p r o p e r p a r t i e s
and p r e p a r a t i o n o f a l i s t o f i s s u e s o f f a c t and a l i s t o f
i s s ue s o f law h e r e i n , and o t h e r t h i n g s c o n t e m p l a t e d by Rule
16. T h i s c o n f e r e n c e i s d e s i r e d at an e a r l y d a t e w i t h t h e
view o f s e t t i n g t h i s c a s e f o r t r i a l on i t s m e r i t s t o commence
on Feb rua ry 3 , 1 9 6 4 .
An o r d e r i n c o n f o r m i t y h e r e w i t h and i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h
the d e c i s i o n o f J udge Mize as t o Count Two may be p r e s e n t e d
a f t e r r e c e i p t o f t h e l a t t e r , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e r u l e o f
th is Court .
____/ s / H a r o l d Cox________________________
January 1 0 , 1964 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * * -K- * * * * * -if t t t t -K- -Jr t t
( T i t l e Omi t ted - FILED JAN 17 1964)
OPINION OF THE COURT ON COUNT TWO OF THE
COMPLAINT UPON THE APPLICATION OF THE
PLAINTIFFS FOR A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION
126 .
The P l a i n t i f f s in t h i s c aus e o f a c t i o n f i l e d t h e i r
c o m p l a i n t i n two c o u n t s s e e k i n g a t e m p o r a r y and permanent
i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t t he De f en da nt s named i n Count One and in
a d d i t i o n t h e r e t o , i n Count Two j o i n e d as a d d i t i o n a l d e f e n d
a n t s i n t h e c a s e Ross R. B a r n e t t , G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , J oe T. P a t t e r s o n , A t t o r n e y G e n er a l o f t h e S t a t e
o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and Heber Ladner , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e o f t h e
S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and the same D e f e n d a n t s as were named
i n Count One o f t he c o m p l a i n t . I t i s r e a l l e g e d a g a i n s t a l l
t h e D e f e n d a n t s , i n c l u d i n g t he t h r e e a p p e a r i n g o n l y in Count
Two, a l l t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f Count One i n Count Two, and in
a d d i t i o n t o t h o s e a l l e g a t i o n s , i t a l l e g e d , among o t h e r t h i n g s ,
t h a t t h e P l a i n t i f f , N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t he Advancement
o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , had sought t o have i t s c h a r t e r o f i n c o r
p o r a t i o n d o m e s t i c a t e d i n t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and admit
t h e c o r p o r a t i o n , i t b e i n g a n o n - r e s i d e n t c o r p o r a t i o n , t o
c a r r y on i t s b u s i n e s s in M i s s i s s i p p i as a f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n
d o m e s t i c a t e d under t h e laws o f t h e S t a t e .
A h e a r i n g was had upon t he a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t e m p o r a r y
i n j u n c t i o n as t o Count Two o f t h e Comp la int and at t h i s h e a r
i n g t h e P l a i n t i f f s i n t r o d u c e d a f f i d a v i t s and o r a l e v i d e n c e ,
and a f t e r o r a l argument f i l e d b r i e f s i n due c o u r s e . The
C ourt has now c o n s i d e r e d a l l o f t h e e v i d e n c e o f f e r e d by t h e
P l a i n t i f f s and D e f e n d a n t s , t h e r e c o r d and t h e b r i e f s o f t h e
127 .
(R459) p a r t i e s , and has r e a c h e d t he c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t he p r a y e r f o r
a t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n s hou ld be d e n i e d .
A l l the r e l i e f sought in Count One o f t h e c o m p l a i n t
was p r a y e d f o r in Count Two, and in a d d i t i o n t h e r e t o t h e r e
was a p r a y e r t h a t the De f enda nt s be e n j o i n e d f rom r e f u s i n g t o
a p p r o v e the c h a r t e r and f rom r e f u s i n g t o a u t h o r i z e t h e non
r e s i d e n t c o r p o r a t i o n t o be d o m e s t i c a t e d i n t he S t a t e o f M i s s
i s s i p p i .
There i s no such emergency as would r e q u i r e t h e g r a n t
i n g o f a t e mp o ra ry i n j u n c t i o n e n j o i n i n g t he G o v e r n o r , t h e S e c r e
t a r y o f S t a t e , t he A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l and any o t h e r o f f i c i a l s
f r o m r e f u s i n g t o a p p r o v e t he a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d o m e s t i c a t i o n .
I t i s a m a t t e r t h a t s h ou l d be d e t e r m i n e d upon t h e t r i a l o f t h e
c a s e upon i t s m e r i t s . The l aw, g e n e r a l l y , i s t h a t t h e a d m i s
s i o n o f a f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o a n o t h e r s t a t e i s d i s c r e
t i o n a r y w i t h the o f f i c i a l s and a m a t t e r o f t h i s i m p o r t a n c e
s h o u l d be d e te r m i n e d a f t e r a f u l l h e a r i n g upon t h e m e r i t s .
C h i e f Judge W i l l i a m Ha ro l d Cox f i l e d h i s o p i n i o n on t h e
f i r s t c ou n t o f t h e c o m p l a i n t on J anua ry 1 0 , 1 964 , i n which he
made a more d e t a i l e d s t a t ement o f t h e i s s u e s i n v o l v e d t han i s
n e c e s s a r y f o r me t o s t a t e h e r e . The e v i d e n c e b e f o r e me f a i l s
e n t i r e l y t o j u s t i f y t he g r a n t i n g o f a t e mp o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n .
The a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t empo rary i n j u n c t i o n w i l l be d e n i e d
and C h i e f Judge Cox has i n d i c a t e d i n h i s o p i n i o n t h a t he
128 .
(R46 2 )
d e s i r e s a p r e - t r i a l c o n f e r e n c e at an e a r l y d a t e so t h a t t he
c a s e may be set down f o r f i n a l h e a r i n g on o r a b o u t F e b r u a r y
3 . The f i n a l h e a r i n g on t h e two c o u n t s w i l l be had at t h e
same t i m e and i t i s l i k e l y t h a t b o t h j u d g e s w i l l s i t . I f
n o t , t he n one j u d g e w i l l hear b ot h c o u n t s .
Order may be drawn i n a c c o r d h e r e w i t h .
/ s / __ S . C . M i z e_____________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
J a n u a r y 16 , 1 964 .
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JAN 23 1964)
ORDER
THIS ACTION came on f o r h e a r i n g on t h e p l a i n t i f f s ’
a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t e n p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n under Count One o f
t h e c o m p l a i n t and on p l a i n t i f f s ’ a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t e m p o r a r y
i n j u n c t i o n under Count Two, and t h e Court h a v in g c o n s i d e r e d
s a i d a p p l i c a t i o n s and e v i d e n c e o f f e r e d t h e r e u n d e r , t o g e t h e r
w i t h b r i e f s s ub m i t t e d by c o u n s e l f o r a l l p a r t i e s , i s o f t h e
o p i n i o n t h a t s a i d a p p l i c a t i o n s s h o u l d be and t h e same a r e
h e r e b y d e n i e d .
I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , o r d e r e d and a d j u d g e d t h a t p a l i n -
t i f f s ’ a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t emp ora ry i n j u n c t i o n un de r Count One
o f t h e c o m p l a i n t i s h e r e b y d e n i e d .
I t i s f u r t h e r o r d e r e d and a d j u d g e d t h a t p l a i n t i f f s ’
a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n under Count Two o f t h e
129 .
(R482)
c o m p l a i n t i s h er eb y d e n i e d .
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, t h i s 2 l s t day o f J a n u a r y , 1 9 6 4 .
_____ / s / Ha ro l d Cox___________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * • * * * * * * * # # . #
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED FEB 3 1964)
FIRST PRETRIAL ORDER
BE IT REMEMBERED THAT a p r e t r i a l c o n f e r e n c e was d u l y
c o n v e n e d by t h e Court and a t t e n d e d by c o u n s e l f o r t h e p a r t i e s
i n chambers at J a c k s o n when and where t h e f o l l o w i n g t h i n g s
were had and d o n e , t o wi t :
( 1 ) A l l m o t i o n s p e nd i n g i n t h i s c a s e were d i s p o s e d
o f ;
( 2 ) I t was made known t h a t a l l d i s c o v e r y p r o c e s s e s
by b o t h s i d e s have been c o m p l e t e d ;
( 3 ) The Court a d j u d g e d t h a t t h i s i s not a c l a s s
a c t i o n and w i l l not be t r e a t e d or c o n s i d e r e d as such w i t h i n
t h e r u l e s i n t h e t r i a l o f t h e c a s e ;
( 4 ) I t was a g r e e d by t h e p a r t i e s w i t h t h e a p p r o v a l
o f t h e Court t h a t a l l t e s t i m o n y o f a l l w i t n e s s e s who p r e
v i o u s l y t e s t i f i e d b e f o r e the Court i n t h i s c a s e w i l l be
t r e a t e d and c o n s i d e r e d as a p a r t o f t he r e c o r d i n t h i s t r i a l
f o r a permanent i n j u n c t i o n ;
( 5 ) C h a r l e s E v e r s , as F i e l d S e c r e t a r y o f t h e NAACP,
i s s u b s t i t u t e d as a p l a i n t i f f in t h e p l a c e and s t e a d o f
Medgar E v e r s , d e c e a s e d , and such o r d e r i s made at t h e r e
q u e s t o f C h a r l e s E v e r s ;
( 6 ) At t h e r e q u e s t o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s , H o n o r a b l e Paul
B. J o h n s o n , J r . , as p r e s e n t G ov e rn o r o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i , i s s u b s t i t u t e d as a d e f e n d a n t in t h e p l a c e and s t e a d
o f H o n o r a b l e Ro ss R. B a r n e t t , e x - G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i , whose term has l a t e l y e x p i r e d , a l l as p r o v i d e d
by C i v i l R ul e 2 5 ;
( 7 ) The p l a i n t i f f s a r e d i r e c t e d t o d e l i v e r t o one o f
t h e a t t o r n e y s o f r e c o r d f o r d e f e n d a n t s t h e names and a d d r e s s e s
(R483) o f a l l o f p l a i n t i f f s ’ w i t n e s s e s whom t h e y w i l l use i n t h e
t r i a l o f t h i s c a s e , l i s t e d under t h e g e n e r a l c a p t i o n t o show
i n s u p p o r t o f what g e n e r a l c o n t e n t i o n s such w i t n e s s e s w i l l
be u s e d ; and s a i d l i s t o f such w i t n e s s e s s h a l l be d e l i v e r e d
on o r b e f o r e 9 : 0 0 A . M . , January 3 l , 1 964 , i n J a c k s o n . The
d e f e n d a n t s i n l i k e manner s h a l l f u r n i s h one o f t h e a t t o r n e y s
f o r t h e p l a i n t i f f s in J a c k s o n on or b e f o r e 5 : 0 0 P . M . ,
F e b r u a r y 1 , 1 9 64 , t h e names and a d d r e s s e s o f a l l w i t n e s s e s
t h a t t h e y w i l l use i n t h e t r i a l o f t h i s c a s e , l i k e w i s e l i s t e d
under t h e g e n e r a l c a t e g o r y or c o n t e n t i o n s i n s u p p o r t o f which
such w i t n e s s e s w i l l be u s e d . I f t h e p l a i n t i f f s ’ l i s t be
f u r n i s h e d e a r l i e r t ha n r e q u e s t e d , t h e n t h e d e f e n d a n t s ’ l i s t
130 .
o f suc h w i t n e s s e s w i l l be c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y a d v a n c e d as t o t i m e
131 .
(R48 5 )
o f f u r n i s h i n g . No o t h e r w i t n e s s e s s h a l l be used by e i t h e r
s i d e o t h e r than as c o n t a i n e d i n such l i s t e x c e p t on good
c a u s e f i r s t shown t o the Court t h e r e f o r :
( 8 ) A p p r o x i m a t e l y t h r e e days t i m e i s a l l o t t e d t o
t h e t r i a l o f t h i s c a s e and such t ime s h a l l be e q u a l l y d i v i d e d
b et wee n t he p a r t i e s f o r t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n f o r t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e
c a s e s .
ORDERED, t h i s January 25 , A. D . , 1 9 6 4 .
____/ s / Ha ro l d Cox_________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * * * * * * * * * . « . . 8. #
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED FEB 3 19 64 )
ORDER
THIS MOTION hav ing come on f o r h e a r i n g on Ja nua ry 25 ,
1964 on p l a i n t i f f s ’ mo t i o n t o f i l e R es pon se t o R equ est f o r
A d m i s s i o n s , and the Court h av ing c o n s i d e r e d same and h a v in g
s u s t a i n e d the m o t i o n ;
I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , o r d e r e d t h a t t he R e s p o n s e t o R e qu e s t
t o A d m i s s i o n s h e r e t o f o r e f i l e d w i t h t h e Court i n J u l y 1963
as a p a r t o f t h e a f o r e s a i d mo t i o n become a p a r t o f t h i s p r o
c e e d i n g i n r e s p o n s e t o the r e q u e s t f o r a d m i s s i o n s .
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, t h i s 3rd day o f F e b r u a r y , 1 9 6 4 .
____/ s / Har o l d Cox_______________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(R486 ) ( T i t l e Omitted - FILED FEB 6 1964)
(R533 )
ORDER
Pursuant t o Rule 25 ( d ) ( 1 ) , F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l
P r o c e d u r e , i t i s h e r e b y o r d e r e d t h a t Fred P i c k e t t s h a l l be
s u b s t i t u t e d f o r J . R. G i l f o y , as S h e r i f f o f Hinds Count y ,
one o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s i n t h e above -n amed a c t i o n .
ORDERED F e b r u a r y 6 , 1 9 64 .
__ / s / H ar o l d Cox________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
• f r t t t t t t t t * - * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED FEB 28 1964)
PLAINTIFFS MOTION TO AMEND THE PRAYER OF COUNT I
OF THE COMPLAINT
P l a i n t i f f s move t h e Court p u rs u an t t o R u l e 15 o f t h e
F e d e r a l R u le s o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e t o p e r mi t t h e amendment o f
t h e f o l l o w i n g s e c t i o n s i n t h e p r a y e r o f Count I o f t h e com
p l a i n t t o c o n f o r m t o t h e e v i d e n c e :
1 . Amend p ar a g r a p h 3 ( a ) ( p a g e 8) by a d d i n g t h e u n d e r
l i n e d s e c t i o n so t h a t t he p a r a g r a p h r e a d s :
" P u r s u i n g a p o l i c y under c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w , s t a t u t e ,
r e g u l a t i o n , c i t y o r d i n a n c e , cus tom or u s a g e o f d e n y
i n g t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n
t i f f , i t s o f f i c e r s , members and a l l p e r s o n s a c t i n g i n
c o n c e r t w i t h them f rom p e a c e f u l l y and p u b l i c l y p r o t e s t
i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n or a c t i n g
133 .
■LgiLii- g f u l l y t o b r i n g about t he e l i m i n a t i o n o f r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n as such r i g h t o f p e a c e
f u l and p u b l i c p r o t e s t i s p r o t e c t e d by t h e F o u r t e e n t h
Amendment t o the U n i t e d S t a t e s Const i t u t i o n . ”
2 . Amend p ar ag ra p h 3 ( h ) ( p a g e 9) by s t r i k i n g t h e
m a t e r i a l c r o s s e d - o u t b e l ow and a d d i n g t he m a t e r i a l as u n d e r
l i n e d :
’’ P r o c e e d i n g w i t h t h e p r o s e c u t i o n s o f a l l p l a i n t i f f s
who have been a r r e s t e d b « t - - n e f e - t p i € d - & r - e e « v i © f e e d - f e * »
p ar f e i e i pa P iH g - i R - th e - p e a e e f H l - d e m e H ' S t - r a P i e R - s - a g a i n e d
r a e i a l - ' s e g r e g a t i e n - i n v a l v e d - h - e p « i « - r p u r s u a n t to t h e
p o l i c y o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n and S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i
s e t f o r t h h e r e i n u n t i l t h e C o n s t i t ut i o n a l r i g h t s o f
such p l a i nt i f f s sha l l f i r s t be d e c l a r e d by t h e F e d e r a l
C o u r t s i n t h i s or o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e p r o c e e d i n g s f o r
r e l i e f b r oug ht by t h e p l a i n t i f f s . ”
__ / s / Ja ck H. Young______________
JACK H . YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
H 5 f N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R . J e s s Brown
l 2 5 f N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
Ro be r t L. C a r t e r
Barbara A. M o r r i s s
20 West 40th S t .
New York 18 , New York
(R534)
(R535)
J ack G r e e nb e rg
D e r r i c k A. B e l l
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns t r u m e nt c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
* * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED FEB 28 1964)
ORDER
Pur sua nt t o Rule 15 o f t h e F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l P r o
c e d u r e , i t i s hereby o r d e r e d t h a t p l a i n t i f f s a r e p e r m i t t e d
t o amend t h e f o l l o w i n g s e c t i o n s i n t h e p r a y e r o f Count I o f
t h e c o m p l a i n t t o c on f or m t o t h e e v i d e n c e , as f o l l o w s :
1 . Amend p a r ag ra p h 3 ( a ) ( p a g e 8) by a d d i n g t h e u n d e r
l i n e d s e c t i o n so t ha t t he s e c t i o n r e a d s :
" P u r s u i n g a p o l i c y under c o l o r o f s t a t e l a w , s t a t u t e ,
r e g u l a t i o n , c i t y o r d i n a n c e , cus tom or usage o f d e n y
i n g t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n
t i f f , i t s o f f i c e r s , members and a l l p e r s o n s a c t i n g i n
c o n c e r t w i t h them f rom p e a c e f u l l y and p u b l i c l y p r o t e s t
i n g r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n or a c t i ng
p e a c e f u l l y t o b r i n g about t h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f r a c i a l
s e g r e g a t i o n and d i s c r i m i n a t i o n as such r i g h t o f p e a c e
f u l and p u b l i c p r o t e s t i s p r o t e c t e d by t h e F o u r t e e n t h
134 .
Amendment t o t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n . "
135 .
(R 5 3 7 )
2 . Amend t h e pa r ag ra ph 3 ( h ) ( p a g e 9) by s t r i k i n g the
m a t e r i a l b r a c k e t e d b e l ow and a d d i n g t h e m a t e r i a l as u n de r
l i n e d :
" P r o c e e d i n g w i t h t h e p r o s e c u t i o n s o f a l l p l a i n t i f f s
who have been a r r e s t e d ( but not t r i e d o r c o n v i c t e d
f o r p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e p e a c e f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n v o l v e d h e r e i n ) p u rs u an t
t o t he p o l i c y o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n and S t a t e o f
M i s s i s s i p p i set f o r t h h e r e i n u n t i l t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l
r i g h t s o f such p l a i n t i f f s s h a l l f i r s t be d e c l a r e d by
t h e F e d e r a l C ou rt s in t h i s or o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e p r o
c e e d i n g s f o r r e l i e f b r ou gh t by t h e p l a i n t i f f s . "
SO ORDERED on F e b r u a r y 28 , 1964*
__ £ s ] _ Ha ro l d Coy________________________
U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t Judge
* * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 3 1964)
The c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f and c e r t a i n w h i t e and ne g ro
i n d i v i d u a l s seek a permanent i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e o f f i c i a l s
o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n , t he c i t y and c o u n t y p r o s e c u t i n g a t t o r
n e y s , t h e Commiss ioner o f t h e S t a t e Highway P a t r o l , t he
S h e r i f f o f Hinds Count y , t he Gov ern or o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s
s i p p i , t h e A t t o r n e y Genera l o f M i s s i s s i p p i , and t h e S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t o e n j o i n i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h c e r t a i n
136 .
a l l e g e d C i v i l R i g h t s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s . The c o m p l a i n t i s i n
two c o u n t s . Count 1 i s e s s e n t i a l l y a c l a i m f o r i n j u n c t i o n
a g a i n s t the m u n i c i p a l a u t h o r i t i e s t o e n j o i n them f rom i n t e r
f e r i n g w i t h t h e r i g h t o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s t o " d e m o n s t r a t e”
w i t h o u t a p e r m i t , engage in p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g , be exempt
f r om p r o s e c u t i o n f o r b r e a c h o f p e a c e , and t r e s p a s s , and t o
be a t l i b e r t y t o engage in p r a y e r s e r v i c e on t h e s t e p s o f
p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s d u r i n g peak b u s i n e s s h o u r s . The p l a i n t i f f s
c o m p l a i n t h a t p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t , w h i ch i s t h e b u s i e s t and most c o n c e n t r a t e d b u s i n e s s
a re a i n t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y , f r om M i l l S t r e e t t o S t a t e S t r e e t ,
a d i s t a n c e o f t e n or t w e l v e b l o c k s , d i s c r i m i n a t e s a g a i n s t
(R538) n e g r o e s . The r e s t a u r a n t s w i l l not seat and s e r v e n e g r o e s in
t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s . The s t o r e s do not a l l o w them t o d r i n k
out o f t he same f o u n t a i n used by w h i t e p a t r o n s . The h e l p i n
t h e s t o r e s do not c o n f e r c o u r t e s y t i t l e s on n e g r o e s and do
not show them t he d e s i r e d r e s p e c t . The c o m p l a i n t c o n t e n d s
t h a t t h i s t r e a t m e n t i s a l l a p a r t o f a hard c o r e p o l i c y o f
s e g r e g a t i o n in M i s s i s s i p p i and t ha t i t i s p r o b a b l y i n s p i r e d
and e n f o r c e d w i t h p u b l i c power and m i g h t . The p l a i n t i f f s
c o m p l a i n o f u n f a i r t r e a t m e n t and h a n d l i n g o f t h e i r v i e w s and
g r i e v a n c e s by t h e news m e d i a . They c o n t e n d t h a t t h e y a r e t hus
o b l i g e d t o r e s o r t t o t he measures which t h e y have a d o p t e d as
a means o f e x p r e s s i o n t o t h e p u b l i c o f t h e i r d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n
137 .
w i t h such t r e a t m e n t , and t h a t t h e i r r i g h t t o such e x p r e s s i o n
in such manner i s p r o t e c t e d by t h e F i r s t and F o u r t e e n t h
Amendment to t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . A c c o r d
i n g l y , p l a i n t i f f s say t h a t t he y a r e b e i n g p e r s e c u t e d in t he
i n t e r e s t o f a s e g r e g a t i o n p o l i c y when t h e y a r e a r r e s t e d and
p r o s e c u t e d f o r v i o l a t i n g c e r t a i n p e a c e laws and t r a f f i c
r e g u l a t i o n s .
Count 2 o f t h e c o m p l a i n t i s b a s i c a l l y a c l a i m a g a i n s t
t h e G o v e r n o r , S t a t e A t t o r n e y Gen era l and S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
t o compel t h o s e a u t h o r i t i e s t o a p p r o v e t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , as a n o n - s t o c k , n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a
t i o n c h a r t e r e d under t he laws o f New Y o r k , t o q u a l i f y t o
engage in b u s i n e s s i n M i s s i s s i p p i . Th os e s t a t e o f f i c i a l s
a r e v e s t e d by t h e s t a t e w i t h t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e laws
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i g o v e r n i n g d o m e s t i c and f o r e i g n
(R539) c o r p o r a t i o n s q u a l i f i e d t o do b u s i n e s s w i t h i n t h e s t a t e .
Tho se o f f i c i a l s r e j e c t e d such a p p l i c a t i o n o f s a i d f o r e i g n
c o r p o r a t i o n t o do b u s i n e s s in t h i s s t a t e , a l t h o u g h i t has
a d m i t t e d l y done b u s i n e s s i n M i s s i s s i p p i f o r many y e a r s .
The d e f e n d a n t s i n the f i r s t c o u n t o f t h e c o m p l a i n t ,
say t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r s were a r r e s t e d
on s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s in May and June 1963 d u r i n g an i n c i t e
ment d r i v e i n a u g u r a t e d and s p o n s o r e d by and under t h e d i r e c
t i o n o f t h e NAACP, known as t h e J a c k s o n Movement, when t h e
138 .
p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r s v i o l a t e d v a l i d o r d i n a n c e s o f t h e
m u n i c i p a l i t y a g a i n s t p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t and b l o c k i n g
t h e s i d e w a l k s and s t r e e t s a g a i n s t t h e i r i n t e n d e d p u r p o s e and
use i n f u r t h e r a n c e o f an u n l a w f u l p u r p o s e . The m u n i c i p a l i t y
d e n i e s t h a t i t has any o r d i n a n c e or p o l i c y o r p r a c t i c e in
f u r t h e r a n c e o f any s e g r e g a t i o n p o l i c y o f any p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s
e s t a b l i s h m e n t on C a p i t o l S t r e e t . The c i t y d o e s not deny or
q u e s t i o n t h e r i g h t o f any i n d i v i d u a l i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f f r e e
s p e e c h , but c o n t e n d s t h a t t he paramount p u b l i c i n t e r e s t r e
q u i r e s a r e g u l a t i o n o f p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g and d e m o n s t r a t i n g
w i t h i n a l e g i t i m a t e and p r o p e r s p h e r e .
As t o t h e seco nd c o u n t , t he d e f e n d a n t s c o n t e n d t h a t
t h e c h a r t e r o f t h e c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f d o e s not comply w i t h
i m p o r t a n t r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e laws o f M i s s i s s i p p i r e g u l a t i n g
t h e i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f n o n - s t o c k , n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n s ; t h a t
t h e y have not d i s c r i m i n a t e d a g a i n s t t h i s c o r p o r a t i o n i n d e n y -
(R540) i n g i t a u t h o r i t y t o do b u s i n e s s i n M i s s i s s i p p i , but t h a t t h e y
have d e n i e d such a u t h o r i t y in l i k e manner t o o t h e r f o r e i g n
c o r p o r a t i o n s f rom d i f f e r e n t s t a t e s . The d e f e n d a n t s f u r t h e r
say t h a t t h i s c l a i m i n t h i s count i s e f f e c t u a l l y a s u i t
a g a i n s t t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i a g a i n s t i t s w i s h e s i n v i o l a
t i o n o f t h e E l e v e n t h Amendment to t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s .
The Chancery Court o f Hinds C o u nt y , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
140 .
M i s s i s s i p p i has no s t a t u t e on i t s b oo ks r e q u i r i n g any k i nd
o f s e g r e g a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s i n p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h
m e n t s . The p l a i n t i f f s and o t h e r s f o r such o f f e n s e s commit
t e d i n May and June 1963 were a r r e s t e d and p r o s e c u t e d i n t h e
c i t y c o u r t f o r v i o l a t i o n o f m u n i c i p a l o r d i n a n c e s , a g a i n s t
p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t , b l o c k i n g t he s i d e w a l k s and s t r e e t s
and b r e a c h o f t h e p e a c e s t a t u t e and t r e s p a s s s t a t u t e .
The Mayor o f J a c k s o n i s t h e c o m m i s s i o n e r o f p o l i c e i n
J a c k s o n . He i s p e r s o n a l l y a d e d i c a t e d s e g r e g a t i o n i s t and
s t a t e d i n c o u r t t h a t he b e l i e v e d v e r y d e e p l y and s i n c e r e l y
t h a t a s e p a r a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s was a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y f o r
t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t o f b o t h the n e g ro and w h i t e r a c e s . But
n e i t h e r the Mayor nor anyone i n a u t h o r i t y w i t h t h e m u n i c i
p a l i t y e v e r p r o m u l g a t e d any r u l e , r e g u l a t i o n , i n s t r u c t i o n or
d i r e c t i v e ( o p e n l y or s e c r e t l y ) t o t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t o
g o v e r n or c o n t r o l them i n t h e i r a r r e s t s or c h a r g e s on any
r a c e q u e s t i o n i n v o l v i n g s e g r e g a t i o n . The C i t y o f J a c k s o n
has no o f f i c i a l p o l i c y or p a t t e r n o f p r a c t i c e g o v e r n i n g t h e
o f f i c i a l c o n d u c t o f t h e p o l i c e m e n on any a s p e c t o f s e g r e g a
t i o n .
The Mayor has s t a t e d p u b l i c l y on t h e r a d i o , on t e l e
v i s i o n and i n t h e c o u r t s , t h a t t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n was not
and i s not i n t e r e s t e d i n any p o l i c y o r any p r a c t i c e o f any
(R542) p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s i n J a c k s o n as t o whether or no t t h e y w i l l
141 .
h i r e or s e r v e one r a c e or a n o t h e r o r bo t h r a c e s ; and he
s t a t e d v e r y e m p h a t i c a l l y t h a t t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n would
p r o t e c t any b u s i n e s s upon r e q u e s t in c a r r y i n g out the p o l i c y
v o l u n t a r i l y made by any b u s i n e s s under i t s own d e c i s i o n and
i n i t i a t i v e . In f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h a t p o l i c y , t h e p o l i c e would
no t e n t e r the W o o l w o r t h ’ s S t o r e on C a p i t o l S t r e e t when a f i g h t
e r u p t e d between some Toug aloo s t u d e n t s and some b y s t a n d e r s
i n t h e s t o r e b e c a u s e t h e management n e v er i n v i t e d t h e p o l i c e
i n t o t h e s t o r e t o i n t e r c e d e . They were a c t i n g under such
o r d e r s i n not p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h i s d i s t u r b a n c e on p r i v a t e
p r o p e r t y i n s i d e t h i s b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t . The p r e s i d e n t
o f t h i s neg ro c o l l e g e was p r e s e n t on t h i s o c c a s i o n and upon
s e e i n g t he v i o l e n c e e r u p t , he was u n s u c c e s s f u l i n g e t t i n g
t h e s t o r e manager t o i n v i t e t he p o l i c e m e n f r om t h e s t r e e t
i n f r o n t o f t he s t o r e i n t o t h e s t o r e f o r a s s i s t a n c e u n t i l
t h e manager c o n t a c t e d h i s New York o f f i c e f o r i n s t r u c t i o n s .
T h i s d i f f i c u l t y a r o s e when a negro s t u d e n t a t T o u g a l o o t o o k
a s e a t a t a l u n c h c o u n t e r in t he s t o r e d e s i g n a t e d f o r w h i t e
p a t r o n s . He was a s s a u l t e d by a w h i t e c i t i z e n . Both o f
them wer e a r r e s t e d and c a r r i e d t o p o l i c e h e a d q u a r t e r s . The
c h a r g e a g a i n s t the negro was d ropped and he was d i s c h a r g e d .
The w h i t e man was t r i e d and c o n v i c t e d and p u n i s h e d f o r h i s
a c t . No a g e n t o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i o r a g e n t o f any
s u b d i v i s i o n t h e r e o f ( p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ) has
142 .
b ee n shown by t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e t o have done any
a c t which v i o l a t e d any C i v i l R i g h t o f any p l a i n t i f f , or
wh ich d e n i e d t o any p l a i n t i f f , o r u n l a w f u l l y a b r i d g e d or
(R543) c u r t a i l e d , any c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t ( p a r t i c u l a r l y , any F i r s t
o r F o u r t e e n t h Amendment r i g h t ) o f any p l a i n t i f f i n t h i s c a s e .
S e c t i o n 2 0 5 6 ( 7 ) and S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 , M i s s i s s i p p i Code
1 9 42 , e s t a b l i s h e d or u n d e r t o o k t o e s t a b l i s h a p o l i c y o f
s e g r e g a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s on p u b l i c p r e m i s e s ( s u c h as s c h o o l s ,
p a r k s , w a i t i n g roo ms , amusement , r e c r e a t i o n and a s s e m b l y as
s p e c i f i c a l l y enumerat ed ) but d o e s not u n d e r t a k e t o e s t a b l i s h
any s t a t e p o l i c y w i t h r e s p e c t t o p r i v a t e l y owned and o p e r a t e d
b u s i n e s s e s such as a r e i n v o l v e d in t h i s c a s e . Such s t a t u t e s
have no a p p l i c a t i o n t o o r e f f e c t on any p r i v a t e owner o f t h e
b u s i n e s s e s or t h e a r r e s t s o r c h a r g e s r e s u l t i n g f rom t h e i n c i -
d ent s i n s u i t .
Pr i mos R e s t a u r a n t on C a p i t o l S t r e e t i s a v e r y p o p u l a r
r e s t a u r a n t f o r w h i t e p a t r o n s o n l y . Some n e g r e s s e s sought and
wer e d e n i e d s e r v i c e and were t o l d t o l e a v e t h e p r e m i s e s , but
r e f u s e d t o do s o . The management made h i s d e c i s i o n u n i n
f l u e n c e d by any k i nd o f s t a t e o r m u n i c i p a l p o l i c y , but s o l e l y
f o r h i s own p e r s o n a l b e s t i n t e r e s t i n t h e c o n d u c t o f such
p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s . No s t a t u t e i n M i s s i s s i p p i o r o r d i n a n c e o r
i n f l u e n c e o f any p u b l i c o f f i c i a l had any p a r t in i n f l u e n c i n g
such d e c i s i o n s ; and t h e r e i s no s t a t u t e o r o r d i n a n c e in
143 .
(R544)
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i , which would deny such i n s t i t u t i o n s
t h e r i g h t t o s e r v e negro a n d / o r w h i t e c u s t o m e r s i f t h e y
w i s h e d t o do s o . The t r e s p a s s s t a t u t e s i n M i s s i s s i p p i a r e
no p a r t o f any scheme or p l a n a f f e c t i n g s e g r e g a t i o n or t o
e n f o r c e s e g r e g a t i o n . The owners and o p e r a t o r s o f such p r i
v a t e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s r e f u s e d t o s e r v e some n e g r o e s who e n t e r e d
f o r s e r v i c e in the r e s t a u r a n t , and t he YMCA r e f u s e d t o a l l o w
some young n e g r o e s , ( w i t h o u t membership or i n v i t a t i o n as
r e q u i r e d ) , to e n j o y i t s s e r v i c e s and f a c i l i t i e s , and wer e
t o l d by such management t o l e a v e the p r e m i s e s and t h e y
r e f u s e d t o do s o , whereupon t h e management o f such e s t a b l i s h
ments e x p r e s s l y r e q u e s t e d t he p o l i c e t o a r r e s t and remove
s a i d p e r s o n s f ro m t h e i r p r e m i s e s . Those n e g r o e s were t h e r e
upon a r r e s t e d and cha rg ed w i t h t r e s p a s s i n g on s a i d o c c a s i o n s .
No s t a t e a c t i o n or a c t i o n s o f t h e s t a t e i n f u r t h e r a n c e o f any
s t a t e p o l i c y o f s e g r e g a t i o n was i n a n y w i s e o r t o any e x t e n t
i n v o l v e d i n t h o s e i n c i d e n t s . Those p r i v a t e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s
had t h e p r i v a t e l y owned p r o p e r t y r i g h t t o s e r v e , or r e c e i v e
t h o s e n e g r o e s on such o c c a s i o n s , o r not as t h e y c h o s e ; and
when t h e y v o l u n t a r i l y e l e c t e d not t o s e r v e , or a l l o w t h o s e
n e g r o e s t o e n j o y t h e i r f a c i l i t i e s on t h e i r p r i v a t e l y owned
and o p e r a t e d p r e m i s e s , t h e y p r o p e r l y c a l l e d t h e p o l i c e t o
e j e c t s a i d p e r s o n s as t r e s p a s s e r s . No r i g h t o f t h e s e n e g r o e s
under s a i d c i r c u m s t a n c e s t r a n s c e n d s t h e paramount r i g h t o f
144 .
Pr i me s R e s t a u r a n t and the YMCA t o d i c t a t e as t o whom i t w i l l
s e r v e and a l l o w t o e n j o y t h e use o f i t s p r i v a t e l y owned
p r e m i s e s . That i s one o f t h e f un d am en ta l e l e m e n t s o f v a l u e
p r e s e n t l y e n j o y e d as a ma tt e r o f v e s t e d r i g h t i n p r i v a t e l y
owned p r o p e r t y .
The n e g r o e s in t h i s community have a mee t i ng h a l l , or
l a r g e a u d i t o r i u m on Lynch S t r e e t i n J a c k s o n where t h e y meet
f o r pep t a l k s p r i o r t o t h e i r p u b l i c d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . These
(R545) pep t a l k s were c h a r a c t e r i z e d as m i l i t a n t . The p o l i c e i n the
a u d i e n c e d e s c r i b e d them as i n f l a m ma t o r y i n n a t u r e . There
were s e v e r a l o f t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s wh ich f o l l o w e d a common
p a t t e r n and a d e s c r i p t i o n o f one o f them w i l l s u f f i c e .
S e v e r a l hundred n eg ro es ( m o s t l y young p e o p l e and some c h i l d r e n )
l e f t t h e Masoni c Temple on Lynch S t r e e t and p r o c e e d e d e a s t on
Lynch S t r e e t under t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f some w h i t e p r o f e s s o r s at
T o u g a l o o c o l l e g e . Th i s group f i l l e d t h e s t r e e t and b l o c k e d
t r a f f i c f o r some d i s t a n c e near i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h P o i n
d e x t e r S t r e e t where t he y were s t o pp ed by t h e p o l i c e and t o l d
t o d i s p e r s e . The o r d e r s o f the p o l i c e t o d i s p e r s e and d e s i s t
f r o m b l o c k i n g t r a f f i c were i g n o r e d and t h e p o l i c e were h e c k l
ed and shown much d i s r e s p e c t f o r t h e i r a u t h o r i t y . I t i s s u f
f i c i e n t t o say t h a t t h e s e s o - c a l l e d mass s t r e e t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
were n o t h i n g s hor t o f p u b l i c n u i s a n c e s and c a u s e d t r a f f i c t o
be d i s r u p t e d and d i v e r t e d i n t he area and c aused much c o n f u s i o n
145 .
on a c c o u n t o f such improper and u n a u t h o r i z e d use b ot h o f t h e
s i d e w a l k and t h e s t r e e t in t he a r e a . Nobody had a p e r mi t t o
p a r a d e on t h e s e o c c a s i o n s . Nobody sought a p e r m i t , and
d o u b t l e s s a p e r m i t would have been r e f u s e d f o r any such
d i s o r d e r l y and i r r e s p o n s i b l e horde o f p e o p l e f i l l i n g t h e
t h o r o u g h f a r e s i n a d e l i b e r a t e e f f o r t to do e x a c t l y what t h e y
d i d as a means o f p r o t e s t i n g t h e i r r a c i a l s t a t u s . A l a r g e
number o f t h e s e n e g r o e s were a r r e s t e d and c h a r g e d w i t h
p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t .
S e v e r a l c o l l e g e age n e g r o e s and a w h i t e p r o f e s s o r
f r o m nea r by T o u g a l o o c o l l e g e d e m o n s t r a t e d by marching i n a
l a r g e c i r c l e on the s t e p s o f t h e p o s t o f f i c e b u i l d i n g i n
J a c k s o n d u r i n g peak b u s i n e s s h o u r s , and a t t r a c t e d q u i t e a
(R546) l a r g e crowd i n s i d e and o u t s i d e t h e b u i l d i n g i n r e s e n t m e n t o f
t h e i r i m pr o p e r use i n b l o c k i n g t h e main e n t r a n c e t o t h i s
p u b l i c b u i l d i n g . The p o l i c e moved i n on t h e g r o u p , and
o r d e r e d them t o d i s p e r s e whereupon t h e y p r e t e n d e d t o engage
i n a p r a y e r s e r v i c e w h i l e i g n o r i n g t h e o r d e r s o f t h e p o l i c e ,
and t h e w h i t e m i n i s t e r l a i d down and had t o be d r ag g e d t o
t h e paddy wagon when ;he was a r r e s t e d . I t i s t h a t i n c i d e n t
w h i c h t h e p l a i n t i f f s c h o o s e to c h a r a c t e r i z e as a p r a y e r
s e r v i c e wh ich t h e y were d e n i e d t he r i g h t t o c o n t i n u e i n such
manner under such c i r c u m s t a n c e s at t h a t p l a c e .
Anot her i n c i d e n t in s u i t i s t h e " d e m o n s t r a t i o n ” o r
n o t f o l l o w i n g the Evers f u n e r a l . Th i s negro i n t e g r a t i o n
l e a d e r was a s s a s s i n a t e d in J a c k s o n , r e s u l t i n g i n a v e r y t e n s e
r a c i a l s i t u a t i o n i n t h i s community f o r some t i m e . The C i t y
o f J a c k s o n g r a n t e d a pe rmi t on t h i s o c c a s i o n f o r s e v e r a l
t h o u s a n d n e g r o e s t o f o l l o w a f u n e r a l p r o c e s s i o n f o r s e v e r a l
m i l e s under c o n s t a n t p o l i c e e s c o r t f rom a p o i n t on Lynch
S t r e e t t o the f u n e r a l home on F a r i s h S t r e e t w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t .
As t h e p r o c e s s i o n wound up at i t s d e s t i n a t i o n , h o w ev er , one
o f t h e named p l a i n t i f f s , who i s an o f f i c i a l o f t h e c o r p o r a t e
p l a i n t i f f , commenced a m i l i t a n t d r i v e t oward t h e c i t y h a l l
a c r o s s t h e b u s i n e s s s e c t i o n o f the c i t y . The t e n s i o n and
e x c i t e m e n t o f t he moment were t o o much f o r most o f t h i s
l a r g e crowd o f s e v e r a l hundred n e g r o e s and some w h i t e p e o p l e
who t u r n e d away f rom t he f u n e r a l home, and p r o c e e d e d on
(R547) t h e i r march i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n i n t h e s t r e e t and on
t h e s i d e w a l k on F a r i s h S t r e e t near t h e b u s i e s t area o f t h i s
l a r g e s t c i t y in t h e s t a t e . The p o l i c e p r o m p t l y o r d e r e d
t h i s mob t o h a l t and d i s p e r s e , but most o f them r e f u s e d t o
do so and were a r r e s t e d and p r o s e c u t e d . The p o l i c e were
s t o n e d and c u r s e d and v i l i f i e d on t h i s o c c a s i o n . Some f o u r
t e e n p o l i c e were i n j u r e d i n t h i s e v e n t . An a t t o r n e y o f t h e
J u s t i c e Department was p r e s e n t and he sought t o i n t e r c e d e and
b a r e l y e s c a p e d s e r i o u s i n j u r y h i m s e l f a t t h e hands o f t h i s
u n r u l y mob. T h i s NAACP o f f i c i a l b o l d l y r e f u s e d t o h a l t h i s
146 .
147 .
march at t he o r d e r s o f t he p o l i c e , but i n s t r u c t e d h i s f o l
l o w e r s to go f o r w a r d t hrough t h e p o l i c e l i n e whereupon he
was subdued by t h e p o l i c e w i t h n e c e s s a r y p h y s i c a l f o r c e .
No e x c e s s i v e f o r c e was a p p l i e d t o t h i s i n d i v i d u a l on t h i s
o c c a s i o n .
These i n c i d e n t s r e s u l t e d in such w h o l e s a l e a r r e s t o f
such l a r g e numbers o f n e g r o e s t h a t t e m p o r a r y f a c i l i t i e s f o r
t h e i r d e t e n t i o n had t o be c o n s t r u c t e d on t he f a i r g r o u n d s .
The c i t y d id not have s u f f i c i e n t paddywagons t o accommodate
t h e p r i s o n e r s , and used a new g a r b a g e t r u c k on one o c c a s i o n
t o supplement t h o s e f a c i l i t i e s . These p r i s o n e r s were not
u n d u l y manhandled, or m i s t r e a t e d by t h e i r c a p t o r s on t h e s e
o c c a s i o n s , a l t h o u g h some o f t h e negro g i r l s s a i d t h a t t h e
g a r b a g e t r u c k s i n which t h e y were h aul ed were d i r t y . The
e v i d e n c e on t h i s p o i n t i s not c l e a r or c o n v i n c i n g , but t h e
C ourt i s c o n v i n c e d t h a t none o f t h e s e n e g r o e s were s u b j e c t e d
t o any s o - c a l l e d b r u t a l i t y , or s u b j e c t e d t o any u n n e c e s s a r y
(R548) f o r c e . The t e mp o r a r y j a i l f a c i l i t i e s were neat and c l e a n
and s a n i t a r y and t h e f o o d was good as an i n s p e c t i o n i n t h e
p r e s e n c e o f t h e J u s t i c e Department and some o f p l a i n t i f f s ’
a t t o r n e y s i n t h i s c a s e d i s c l o s e d .
The burden o f p r o o f i s on t h e p l a i n t i f f s t o show by a
p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t h e n e c e s s i t y f o r an i n j u n c t i o n
and t h e i r r i g h t t o such e x t r a o r d i n a r y p r o c e s s i n t h i s c a s e .
148 .
A l t h o u g h t h e Court i s a c u t e l y m ind fu l o f t h e d e l i c a t e b a l a n c e
be t we e n t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s o f t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s , and
t h e power and a u t h o r i t y o f t h i s m u n i c i p a l i t y t o r e g u l a t e and
c o n t r o l them i n the p u b l i c i n t e r e s t i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f such
r i g h t t o a l i m i t e d d e g r e e , t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s s i m p l y have not
shown t h i s Court by t h e g r e a t e r w e i g h t o f t h e more c o n v i n c i n g
e v i d e n c e t h a t t hey have any c l a i m a g a i n s t e i t h e r o f t h e
d e f e n d a n t s upon which r e l i e f can be g r a n t e d . I t ca nn ot be
d o u b t e d f ro m the c l e a r e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e t h a t t h e s e
p l a i n t i f f s were engaged in an u n l a w f u l s e c o n d a r y b o y c o t t o f
t h e C a p i t o l S t r e e t s t o r e s in J a c k s o n , and t h a t t h e i r e f f o r t
t o p i c k e t t h o s e s t o r e s was n e i t h e r p e a c e f u l nor l e g a l . T h e i r
p u r p o s e i n f o rm i n g such a c o n s p i r a c y a g a i n s t t h o s e me rc ha nt s
was i n h e r e n t l y i l l e g a l , a l t h o u g h any c o l o r e d c i t i z e n as an
i n d i v i d u a l had a c l e a r r i g h t t o w i t h h o l d p a t r o n a g e f rom any
merchant whom he d id not wish t o p a t r o n i z e , w i t h or w i t h o u t
r e a s o n t h e r e f o r ; but t h e s e neg ro es w r o n g f u l l y and u n l a w f u l l y
banded t o g e t h e r in the J a c ks o n Movement t o b o y c o t t t h e s e
s t o r e s and t h e y had no r i g h t t o p i c k e t i n f u r t h e r a n c e t h e r e o f .
Th es e p i c k e t s c a r r y i n g s i g n s c o n s t i t u t e d a p u b l i c n u i s a n c e on
(R549) t h e s i d e w a l k in f r o n t o f t h e s e s t o r e s i n t h e b u s i e s t s e c t i o n
o f t h e b u s i n e s s d i s t r i c t d u r i n g peak hours and t h e y were
p r o p e r l y a r r e s t e d and p r o s e c u t e d .
D i s c r i m i n a t i o n or any p o l i c y or any p r a c t i c e o f s e g r e
g a t i o n i n any s t r i c t l y p u b l i c p l a c e s u p p o r t e d , owned or
1 4 9 .
o p e r a t e d at p u b l i c expense i s not i n v o l v e d in t h i s c a s e . I t
i s v a g u e l y ment ioned in an ambiguous way i n t h e c o m p l a i n t
and i n t h r e e p i e c e s o f e v i d e n c e r e l a t i n g t o p u b l i c p a r k s ;
but t h e r e i s no s u b s t a n t i a l p r o o f in s u p p o r t t h e r e o f in t h i s
r e c o r d . That charge i s thus not i n v o l v e d i n t h i s p r o c e e d i n g
p r o b a b l y b e c a u s e o f an i n j u n c t i o n f rom t h i s Court wh ich i s
p r e s e n t l y e x t a n t on t h a t s u b j e c t .
Ther e i s no e v i d e n c e b e f o r e t h e Court i n t h i s r e c o r d
t o show t h a t any p o l i c i e s , o r p r a c t i c e s o f p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s
e s t a b l i s h m e n t s on C a p i t o l S t r e e t , which were d i s p l e a s i n g t o
p l a i n t i f f s , were m o t i v a t e d , or i n f l u e n c e d i n any manner, or
t o any e x t e n t by any o f t he d e f e n d a n t s . The o r d i n a n c e s and
l aws under which t h e p l a i n t i f f s were a r r e s t e d and a r e b e i n g
p r o s e c u t e d were not d e s i g n e d or i n t e n d e d t o p r e v e n t , a b r i d g e
or c u r t a i l any c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t o f any c i t i z e n r e g a r d
l e s s o f h i s r a c e or c o l o r . These o r d i n a n c e s and laws under
wh ich t h e p l a i n t i f f s were a r r e s t e d on t h e o c c a s i o n s i n s u i t
wer e d e s i g n e d and i n t e n d e d m e r e l y t o r e g u l a t e and c o n t r o l
t h e p r o p e r use o f t he s i d e w a l k s and s t r e e t s o f t h e m u n i c i
p a l i t y f o r t h e p u b l i c use g e n e r a l l y , and i n t h e p u b l i c i n t e r
e s t . Most o f the a r r e s t s i n s u i t were f o r p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t
(R550) a p e r m i t i n v i o l a t i o n o f a c i t y o r d i n a n c e . Such an o r d i n a n c e
has a good p u r p o s e and a r e a s o n a b l e r e l a t i o n t o t h e p r o p e r
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f m u n i c i p a l b u s i n e s s . W h i l e a p e r mi t t o
150 .
p a r a d e was g r a n t e d f o r the Medgar Evers f u n e r a l p r o c e s s i o n
i n v o l v i n g s e v e r a l thousand negro c i t i z e n s , a p e r m i t t o p a r ad e
was d e n i e d by t h e c i t y t o t he w h i t e S h r i n e r s o f M i s s i s s i p p i
ne ar the same d a t e s . The Court d o e s not t h i n k t h a t W i l l
Pa lme r s h ou l d have been charged w i t h p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r
m i t , but t h e f a c t s were not s u f f i c i e n t l y d e v e l o p e d by e i t h e r
s i d e b e f o r e the Court t o show t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f h i s a r r e s t
I t i s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t he e n t e r e d a p l e a o f n o l o c o n t e n
d e r e i n t h e c i t y c o u r t and t ha t h i s c a s e i s on a p p e a l i n t h e
c o u n t y c o u r t a t J a c k s o n . I t must be presumed t h a t he w i l l
r e c e i v e a f a i r t r i a l i n that h o n o r a b l e c o u r t . The same
o b s e r v a t i o n i s made w i t h r e s p e c t t o a s ma l l group o f T-
s h i r t e d young n e g r o e s who were w a l k i n g up and down C a p i t o l
S t r e e t w i t h o u t s i g n s or p l a c a r d s . Ther e i s n o t h i n g i n t h i s
r e c o r d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s which i n d i c a t e s t h e
n e c e s s i t y f o r any i n t e r c e s s i o n by t h i s C o u r t .
The c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f has not shown by a p r e p o n d e r -
(
a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e that i t s a p p l i c a t i o n t o do b u s i n e s s in
M i s s i s s i p p i was a r b i t r a r i l y and c a p r i c i o u s l y d e n i e d . The
G o v e r n o r o f t h e S t a t e r e f u s e d to s i g n t he p e r m i t a u t h o r i z i n g
t h i s New York c o r p o r a t i o n t o engage in b u s i n e s s i n M i s s i s s i p p i
b e c a u s e t h e A t t o r n e y General o f M i s s i s s i p p i a d v i s e d him t h a t
(R5 51) t h e c o r p o r a t i o n d i d not meet t h e s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s t h e r e
f o r ; and t h a t i s was not i n the b e s t i n t e r e s t o f t h e S t a t e o f
151 .
M i s s i s s i p p i t o a u t h o r i z e such c o r p o r a t i o n t o engage i n i t s
i n t r a s t a t e b u s i n e s s w i t h i n M i s s i s s i p p i . No f a c t o r c i r c u m
s t a n c e i s shown by t h e e v i d e n c e t o s up por t any c l a i m o f t h i s
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n t o a v e s t e d r i g h t t o do b u s i n e s s w i t h i n
M i s s i s s i p p i , and i t i s not shown f a c t u a l l y t h a t any c o n s t i
t u t i o n a l r i g h t o f t h i s New York c o r p o r a t i o n i s v i o l a t e d by
such r e f u s a l . The s u i t i s i n t h i s r e s p e c t e s s e n t i a l l y a
s u i t a g a i n s t t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , wh ich t h o u g h not a
p a r t y t o t h e s u i t i n name i s a p a r t y i n e f f e c t , a g a i n s t i t s
w i s h e s and i n v i o l a t i o n o f t h e E l e v e n t h Amendment o f t h e
C o n s t i t u t i o n o f the Uni t ed S t a t e s .
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The NAACP, a New York c o r p o r a t i o n , s e e k s t o sue in
t h e f i r s t co un t o f the c o m p l a i n t f o r t he use o f i t s members.
The d e f e n d a n t s r e s i s t t h a t p r o c e d u r e on t h e g round t h a t c o n
s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s may be a s s e r t e d o n l y by t h e p e r s o n e n t i t l e d
t h e r e t o and not by one f o r a n o t h e r . The NAACP r e l i e s f o r i t s
a u t h o r i t y upon NAACP v . Alabama. 357 US 4 4 9 . That was a p r o
c e e d i n g by a s t a t e t o compel t h e NAACP t o d i s c l o s e i t s mem
b e r s h i p l i s t . The c o r p o r a t i o n a dv anc ed t h e i n t e r e s t o f i t s
members i n s e c r e c y o f a s s o c i a t i o n as a d e f e n s e and was s u s
t a i n e d by t h e Court in t h a t p o s i t i o n . That d e c i s i o n i s a f a r
c r y f r o m t h e r i g h t o f t h e c o r p o r a t i o n t o f i l e a s u i t , as h e r e
a s s e r t e d , t o have a d j u d i c a t e d c e r t a i n a f f i r m a t i v e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l
152 .
(R552) r i g h t s o f i t s members. That s imply may not be d o n e . Haguet
CIO, 307 US 4 96 . That i s t h e u n m i s t a k a b l e
mandate o f C i v i l Rule 1 7 ( a ) and i s c o n t r o l l i n g on t h e p o i n t
h e r e .
The r i g h t o f f r e e s p e e c h , a s s e m b l y , w o r s h i p , p r o t e s t ,
p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g , and any o t h e r r i g h t c o n f e r r e d by t h e
F e d e r a l C o n s t i t u t i o n i s not i n i s s u e , and i s not d i s p u t e d ,
o r q u e s t i o n e d h e r e . The a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s f o r
w h i c h a p p r o v a l here i s sought i s t h e u n b r i d l e d e x e r c i s e o f
such r i g h t s in v i o l a t i o n o f v a l i d r e g u l a t i o n s d e s i g n e d and
i n t e n d e d to p r o t e c t t h e r i g h t s o f t h e p u b l i c g e n e r a l l y who
have t h e same r i g h t s as t h e p l a i n t i f f s . These laws a p p l i e d t o
t h e s e p e o p l e a r e e n f o r c e d f a i r l y and i m p a r t i a l l y and w i t h o u t
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , and have no r e l a t i o n or r e g a r d t o r a c e o r
c o l o r . The laws and o r d i n a n c e s under w h i ch p l a i n t i f f s wer e
a r r e s t e d and charged do not a b r i d g e o r c u r t a i l any c o n s t i t u
t i o n a l r i g h t o f any p l a i n t i f f . The o r d i n a n c e s do not o u t
law p a r a d i n g , e x ce p t w i t h o u t a p e r m i t , a t t i m e s , and i n
p l a c e s , and i n a manner which can be p r o p e r l y s u p e r v i s e d
and p r o t e c t e d as was t he Evers p r o c e s s i o n . The p i c k e t i n g
was by i n d i v i d u a l s , not e m p l o y e e s , a g a i n s t h i r i n g p r a c t i c e s
o f p r i v a t e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s and f o r o t h e r p o l i c i e s and p r a c
t i c e s o f such p r i v a t e l y owned and o p e r a t e d b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h
m e n t s . Such p i c k e t i n g was i n each i n s t a n c e c o n d u c t e d at peak
153 .
b u s i n e s s hours and u n r e a s o n a b l y i n t e r f e r e d w i t h t h e use o f
t h e s i d e w a l k by t h e p u b l i c . T h i s p i c k e t i n g was i n f u r t h e r
a n c e o f a c o n s p i r a c y i n i t i a t e d and promoted by t h e p l a i n t i f f
c o r p o r a t i o n and p a r t i c i p a t e d i n by a l l o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s as
(R553) t h e J a c k s o n Movement. Such p i c k e t i n g was t h us n e i t h e r p e a c e
f u l nor l e g a l . I t was p r o p e r l y s t o p p e d by t h e p o l i c e . The
p l a i n t i f f s a r e not e n t i t l e d t o a d e c l a r a t i o n o f r i g h t s , but
t h e Court f i n d s no d i f f i c u l t y i n d e n y i n g r e l i e f f o r t h e a c
t i v i t i e s engaged i n i n t h i s c a s e , i f f ound t o be g u i l t y
t h e r e o f on a f a i r t r i a l in t h e s t a t e c o u r t s .
The Primos R e s t a u r a n t , and t he YMCA i n J a c k s o n a r e
p r i v a t e l y owned and o p e r a t e d p r i v a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s not in
a n y w i s e s u p p o r t e d by p u b l i c money and not on p u b l i c p r o p e r t y
Fo r i t s own b u s i n e s s r e a s o n s and a c t i n g v o l u n t a r i l y w i t h o u t
any o u t s i d e p u b l i c i n f l u e n c e f rom any p u b l i c s o u r c e , Pr imos
R e s t a u r a n t does not s e a t and s e r v e n e g r o c u s t o m e r s , and t h e
YMCA on North S t a t e S t r e e t d oes not open i t s f a c i l i t i e s t o
n e g r o e s , but o n l y t o i t s w h i t e membership .
The re i s no doubt o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s e n e g r o p l a i n
t i f f s have an a b s o l u t e r i g h t equal to t h a t o f any w h i t e p e r
son t o use and e n j o y t h e p u b l i c p a r k s , and t h e r e i s no sub
s t a n t i a l amount o f c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e in t h i s r e c o r d t h a t
any need e x i s t s f o r an i n j u n c t i o n t o p r o t e c t o r e n f o r c e such
154 .
u n d i s p u t e d r i g h t which has been p r e v i o u s l y d e c r e e d by t h i s
C o u r t . Nobody q u e s t i o n s p l a i n t i f f s ’ undoubted r i g h t s t o
f r e e s p e e c h , a s s e m b l y , p r o t e s t and p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g .
Those a r e w e l l grounded p e r s o n a l r i g h t s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l
w h i c h cannot be g a i n s a i d . Here we a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e
c i r c u m s t a n c e s and c o n d i t i o n s under which t h e s e r i g h t s a r e
a s s e r t e d by t h e p l a i n t i f f s . We a r e not c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e
q u e s t i o n o f t he v a l i d i t y o f t h e s t a t e laws and o r d i n a n c e s
(R554) under wh ich p l a i n t i f f s were a r r e s t e d and are b e i n g p r o s e c u t e d .
N e i t h e r a r e we c o n c e r n e d whether or not t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e
g u i l t y o r not g u i l t y o f such c h a r g e s . The i m p o r t a n t q u e s
t i o n i s as t o whether or not p l a i n t i f f s ’ c o n s t i t u t i o n a l
r i g h t s a r e b e i n g d e n ie d by t h e s e p r o s e c u t i o n s under t h e c i r
c u m s t a n c e s i n f u r t h e r a n c e o f an u n l a w f u l p o l i c y o f s e g r e g a
t i o n , o r i s t h e r e in t r u t h and i n f a c t some s u b s t a n t i a l v a l i d
b a s i s i n law f o r t he a p p l i c a t i o n and e n f o r c e m e n t o f t h e
o r d i n a n c e s and laws i n q u e s t i o n as a g a i n s t t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s .
C o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s must be a s s e r t e d and e n j o y e d
w i t h i n t h e r an ge o f v a l i d r e g u l a t o r y s t a t u t e s e n a c t e d i n
t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t f o r t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n and p r o t e c t i o n o f
t h e r i g h t s o f t he p u b l i c . No p e r s o n has any c i v i l r i g h t to
t r e s p a s s on the p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y o f a n o t h e r no m a t t e r what
h i s p u r p o s e may be i n d o i n g s o . Free s p e e c h d o e s not
e n t i t l e one to h o l l e r f i r e i n a crowded t h e a t e r , nor may any
155 .
h o r d e o f d i s c o n t e n t e d c i t i z e n s t a k e o v e r t h e s i d e w a l k s and
s t r e e t s o f a m u n i c i p a l i t y as a means and f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f
p r o t e s t i n g something t o t h e i r d i s l i k e . T r a f f i c may not be
b l o c k e d and caused t o be d i v e r t e d by hundreds o f p e o p l e
ma rc hi ng i n the s t r e e t s , no ma tt er what p u r p o s e t h e y may
have had i n mind in d o i n g s o . I t ca nnot be s a i d t h a t a p ub
l i c s i d e w a l k or an e n t r a n c e t o a p u b l i c b u i l d i n g i s a p r o p e r
p r o m o n t o r y f o r a p r a y e r s e r v i c e r e g a r d l e s s o f i t s i n t e n d e d
a d v e r t i s i n g v a l u e . M u n i c i p a l i t i e s have t h e r i g h t and even
t h e d u t y t o the p u b l i c t o p r e v e n t any such i m p r o p e r use o f
t h o r o u g h f a r e s . A v a l i d and wholesome p u r p o s e can a f f o r d no
e x c u s e or j u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r t h e v i o l a t i o n o f a v a l i d e n a c t -
(R555) m e n t . I n c i t e m e n t t o d i s r e s p e c t o f law i s not a h a l l m a r k o f
g oo d c i t i z e n s h i p or good manners . None o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s
were employ ees o f t he e s t a b l i s h m e n t s b e i n g p i c k e t e d . Thos e
e s t a b l i s h m e n t s had the r i g h t to h i r e a n y b od y t h e y p l e a s e d .
The i n d i v i d u a l s who were d i s p l e a s e d by t h e h i r i n g p r a c t i c e s
o f such e s t a b l i s h m e n t s had t he undoubt ed r i g h t t o w i t h h o l d
t h e i r p a t r o n a g e and e x p r e s s t h e i r d i s p l e a s u r e t h e r e a t , but
t h e y had no r i g h t t o e n t e r i n t o any c o n s p i r a c y as t h e y d i d
i n t h e f orm o f t h e " J a c k s o n Movement” t o b o y c o t t t h e s e
C a p i t o l S t r e e t s t o r e s and p i c k e t i n f u r t h e r a n c e t h e r e o f .
These p i c k e t s u n r e a s o n a b l y i n t e r f e r e d w i th t h e normal f l o w
156 .
o f p e d e s t r i a n t r a f f i c i n t h e number one b u s i n e s s b l o c k o f
J a c k s o n d u r i n g peak b u s i n e s s hours and wer e t hus not engaged
i n p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g as c o n t e n d e d . Such p i c k e t i n g was
n e i t h e r p e a c e f u l nor f o r a l a w f u l p u r p o s e , and t h e o f f e n d i n g
p a r t i e s were p r o p e r l y a r r e s t e d and p r o s e c u t e d .
The s e v e r a l s t r e e t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s may be b e s t c h a r a c
t e r i z e d as mass d i s o r d e r s which i n v a r i a b l y g o t out o f hand,
and e r u p t e d o nc e i n t o a r i o t o f u n r u l y and d e f i a n t p e o p l e
u n d e r i r r e s p o n s i b l e l e a d e r s h i p . A group at a s c h o o l in
J a c k s o n d u r i n g a d i s t u r b a n c e a c t u a l l y c a p t u r e d one o f t h e
p e a c e o f f i c e r s and dragged him i n t o a b u i l d i n g and h e l d him
f o r a t i m e . He was l a t e r f r e e d by t he o f f i c e r s w i t h an
i n j u r e d f i n g e r . The t h r o n g o f c o l o r e d p e o p l e and some w h i t e
l e a d e r s on North F a r i s h S t r e e t i m m e d i a t e l y f o l l o w i n g t h e
a r r i v a l o f t h e Evers p r o c e s s i o n at t h e f u n e r a l home was l e d
(R556 ) b y an o f f i c i a l o f the NAACP . He r e s i s t e d a r r e s t and was
subdued w i t h n e c e s s a r y p h y s i c a l f o r c e and c l a i m s t h a t t he
p o l i c e were b r u t a l . The f a c t s show t h a t t h e p e a c e o f f i c e r s
e x e r c i s e d commendable r e s t r a i n t in h a n d l i n g t h i s d i f f i c u l t
and d a n g e r o u s s i t u a t i o n which was c r e a t e d by t h e p l a i n t i f f s
i n t h i s c a s e . I t can h a r d l y be s a i d t h a t t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s
under such c i r c u m s t a n c e s a r e in t h i s Court w i t h c l e a n hands
a s k i n g t h e a i d and a s s i s t a n c e o f a Court o f c o n s c i e n c e .
T h i s c a s e s imply does not p r e s e n t such i n t o l e r a b l e
157 .
a b u s e s o f p l a i n t i f f s ’ C i v i l R i g h t s which a r e sup pose d by
c o u n s e l t o e x i s t , and about which sound a u t h o r i t y i s c i t e d ,
but t h e f a c t s and c i r c u m s t a n c e s in t h i s c a s e a r e v a s t l y
d i f f e r e n t and have no s i m i l a r i t y t o t h o s e i n t h e c i t e d c a s e s .
I t i s my v ie w t h a t t h e o f f i c e r s s hou ld not have a r r e s t e d or
c h a r g e d some o f t h o s e cha r ge d wi t h p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t ,
but t h e need f o r i n j u n c t i o n t o r e c t i f y such wrong i s n e i t h e r
u r g e n t nor a p p a r e n t .
The p l a i n t i f f s d i s a p p r o v e d o f c e r t a i n p o l i c i e s o f
C a p i t o l S t r e e t me rchant s . They t h e r e u p o n f ormed t h e J a c k s o n
Movement and a c t i v e l y engaged i n a s e c o n d a r y b o y c o t t o f
t h e s e b u s i n e s s e s . A l l a c t i v i t i e s i n f u r t h e r a n c e o f such b o y
c o t t were i l l e g a l . 15 C . J . S . ( C o n s p i r a c y ) S e c . 1 2 ( b ) , p a g e s
1 0 1 3 - 1 0 1 4 . The d e f e n d a n t s c on t e n d w i t h g r e a t p e r s u a s i o n t h a t
p l a i n t i f f s ’ " J a c k s o n Movement" was a c o n s p i r a c y condemned by
S e c . 1 0 8 8 ( a ) , S e c . 1 0 8 8 ( b ) and S e c . 1 0 8 9 ( a ) and S e c . 1 0 8 9 ( b ) ,
M i s s i s s i p p i Code 1942, and t h a t such J a c k s o n Movement was
l i k e w i s e i l l e g a l as a b o y c o t t o f C a p i t o l S t r e e t b u s i n e s s e s
(R557 ) and d e s i g n e d and i n t e n d e d o n l y t o i n j u r e s a i d b u s i n e s s e s ,
( C f : V e s l e y v . Nat i v e Lumber Company. 53 S o . ( M i s s ) 3 4 6 ) ;
h e n c e such a c t i v i t i e s b e i ng i l l e g a l , t h a t a l l p i c k e t i n g i n
f u r t h e r a n c e t h e r e o f was not p e a c e f u l or l e g a l . With t h a t
c o n t e n t i o n , t h e Court a g r e e s . None o f t h e p i c k e t s were
e m p l o y e e s or f o rm e r employees o f t h e b u s i n e s s e s b e i n g p i c k e t e d .
158 .
They were s i mp l y o u t s i d e r s and even n o n r e s i d e n t s who c o n
s p i r e d t o g e t h e r t o t r y t o d i c t a t e the h i r i n g and b u s i n e s s
p o l i c i e s o f t h o s e b u s i n e s s e s . U n d o u b t e d l y , t h e p l a i n t i f f s
have no c o n s t i t u t i o n a l immunity f r om a r r e s t and p r o s e c u t i o n
w h i l e engaged i n n o n - p e a c e f u l p i c k e t i n g f o r an i l l e g a l p u r
p o s e . Hughes_v-!_SuBer i o r Court o f Ca l i f o r n i a . 399 US 4 60 .
The YMCA as a p r i v a t e i n s t i t u t i o n had a r i g h t t o e x c l u d e non
members . I t had the r i g h t to r e c e i v e or not r e c e i v e n eg r o
v i s i t o r s on the p r e mi s e s who went t h e r e f o r t h e s o l e p u r p o s e
o f t e s t i n g t h e l a w s . L i k e w i s e , Pr imos R e s t a u r a n t had t h e
r i g h t t o s e a t and s e r v e or n o t , the n e g r e s s e s who a p p e a r e d
and r e q u e s t e d s e r v i c e f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f t e s t i n g t h e t r e s p a s s
s t a t u t e s . Those p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s v o l u n t a r i l y d e c i d e d not
t o s e r v e t h o s e p e o p l e presumably f o r t he s o l e r e a s o n t h a t
t h e y were n e g r o e s and t h e y had the r i g h t i n h e r e n t i n t h e i r
o w n e r s h i p o f t h e i r p r o p e r t y t o do e x a c t l y t h a t . Such r i g h t
o f t h e owner o f a p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s i s one o f h i s most v a l u a
b l e a t t r i b u t e s o f o w n e r s h i p . C i v i l R i gh ts C a s e s . 109 US 3;
Sh e l l e y v . Kraemer. 334 US 1 ; Bu r t o n v . W i l m i n g t o n . 365 US
7 1 5 ; Lombard v . S t a t e o f L o u i s i a n a . 373 US 2 6 7 ; W i l l i a m s v .
Howard J o h n s o n . (4CA) 268 F .2 d 845. He may c o n t r a c t w i t h
(R558) whom he p l e a s e s . I t i s a matter o f g r e a t p u b l i c c o n c e r n
t h a t f r e e d o m o f c o n t r a c t be not l i g h t l y i n t e r f e r e d w i t h ,
Pa l mer v . Cha mber l i n , (5CA) 191 F . 2d 5 32 . L i k e w i s e , t h i s
C i r c u i t has s a i d t h a t a p e r s o n may h i r e or c o n t r a c t w i t h
whom he c h o o s e s . Van Zandt v . McKee. ( 5CA) 202 F . 2 d 4 9 0 .
The t r e s p a s s s t a t u t e under which t h e s e n e g r o e s were c h a r g e d
and a r e b e i n g p r o s e c u t e d i s not p a r t o f any scheme o r p l a n
o r p o l i c y o f s e g r e g a t i o n . That s t a t u t e has b e e n i n e f f e c t
i n M i s s i s s i p p i l o n g p r i o r t o any c o n t r o v e r s y be t ween t h e
r a c e s . The f a c t s and c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n t h i s c a s e c o n c l u s i v e
l y show t h a t no s t a t e a c t i o n or a c t i o n o f t h e s t a t e i s i n
v o l v e d i n t h e s e p r o c e e d i n g s w i t h i n t h e meaning o f t h a t p h r a s e
i n s - t h e s e c a s e s . The o r d i n a n c e o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n a g a i n s t
p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a permi t i s a v a l i d t r a f f i c r e g u l a t i o n w h i ch
d o e s not unduly a b r i d g e any paramount c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t
o f any p l a i n t i f f . Hague. May o r , v , CIO. 307 US 4 96 ; Snyder
v . I r v i n g t o n . 308 US 147 ; Cox v . New H a m p s h i r e . 312 US 5 69 ;
P o u l o s v . New Hampshire , 345 US 395.
A c i t i z e n i s not immune f r om p r o s e c u t i o n i n good
f a i t h f o r h i s a l l e g e d c r i m i n a l a c t s even under an u n c o n s t i
t u t i o n a l s t a t u t e . T r e nt v . Hunt . 39 F. Supp . 3 73 , a f f i r m e d
62 S . C t . 1 1 5 ; Wa t s o n v . B uck . 61 S . C t . 9 62 ; Beal v .
M i s s o u r i - P a c i f i c R a i l r o a d . 61 S . C t . 418, S t e f a n e l l i v . Min-
y a r d , 72 S . C t . 1 1 8 ; Douglas v . Ci t y of J e a n n e t t e . 63 S . Ct .
877 ; C i t y o f Miami v . S u t t o n , (5CA) 181 F . 2 d 6 4 4 ; W o j c i k v .
Burt o n Palme r , et a l . ( 7CA) 318 F . 2 d 1 7 1 ; B a i l e y v . P a t t e r s o n ,
(R559) 368 US 3 46 . In t h e r e c e n t c a s e o f C l e a ry v . B o l g e r . 371 US
159 .
160 .
3 92 , 83 S . C t . 385, t h e Court s a i d : " C o u r t s o f e q u i t y t r a d i
t i o n a l l y have r e f u s e d , e x c e p t in r a r e i n s t a n c e s , t o e n j o i n
c r i m i n a l p r o s e c u t i o n s . * * * I t has been m a n i f e s t e d i n numerous
d e c i s i o n s o f t h i s Court i n v o l v i n g a s t a t e ’ s e n f o r c e m e n t o f
i t s c r i m i n a l l a w s . "
The c o n t e n t i o n and argument o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s r e g a r d
i n g t h e i r c o n c l u s i o n s as t o t h e s e g r e g a t i o n p o l i c y o f M i s s i s -
s i p p i was r e j e c t e d by t h i s C i r c u i t i n a habeas c o r p u s c a s e
w h e r e i n t h e w r i t was s o u g h t , on the t h e o r y a s s e r t e d h e r e ,
t h a t a f a i r t r i a l i s not a v a i l a b l e i n t he s t a t e c o u r t s
b e c a u s e o f such d e e p l y i n g r a i n e d p o l i c y . Those c o n c l u s i o n -
\\
a r y c o n t e n t i o n s were a s s e r t e d a,nd r e j e c t e d in Jame s Brown v .
W. B. R a y f i e l d . C h i e f o f P o l i c e . ( 5CA) 320 F . 2 d 9 6 . I t i s
t h e u n i v e r s a l r u l e that t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s a r e no t e n t i t l e d to
i n j u n c t i v e r e l i e f a g a i n s t p r o s e c u t i o n under t h e f a c t s and
c i r c u m s t a n c e s in t h i s c a s e wh er e i n no c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t
a s s e r t e d i s d e n i e d or i m p r o p e r l y a b r i d g e d . C f : I n Re
Wyk o f f . 196 F. S u pp . 515, a f f i r m e d by t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t as
r e p o r t e d i n 6 R . R . L . R . 793. Two j u s t i c e s o f t h e Supreme
C o u r t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s d e c l i n e d t o change t h a t v i e w i n
an u n r e p o r t e d d e c i s i o n , r e p o r t e d o n l y i n 6 R . R . L . R . 7 94 . I t
may not be assumed t h a t s t a t e laws may be v i o l a t e d w i t h
i m p u n i t y s im pl y b e c a u s e the p e r s o n d e l i b e r a t e l y v i o l a t e d
su c h l a w s , i n f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h e a s s e r t i o n o f some C i v i l
161 .
R i g h t s o r supposed C i v i l R i g h t s . The a u t h o r i t i e s c i t e d
d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t the s t a t e a u t h o r i t i e s may p r o c e e d w i t h
such p r o s e c u t i o n s in such c a s e s u n l e s s some v e s t e d c o n s t i -
(R560) t u t i o n a l r i g h t o f such p e r s o n i s t h e r e b y v i o l a t e d . The
m u n i c i p a l i t y had the r i g h t t o r e s o r t to s t a t e c o u r t f o r an
i n j u n c t i o n t o q u e l l t h e s e r e c u r r i n g d i s t u r b a n c e s and t h a t
c o u r s e i s a p p r o v e d h e r e .
F i n a l l y , as t o t h e s t a t u s o f t he c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f
as a New York c o r p o r a t i o n s e e k i n g t o d o m e s t i c a t e i n M i s s i s -
s i p p i , no c o n t r a c t r i g h t i s i n v o l v e d , or i mpi ng ed upon in
t h i s c a s e . No employment by t he F e d e r a l government i s
p r e s e n t . A s t a t e may not o n l y r e g u l a t e t h e e n t r y o f a
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o i n t r a s t a t e commerce , but i t may
e x c l u d e i t a l l t o g e t h e r . A s t a t e may i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f i t s
p o l i c e power e x c l u d e any f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n and deny i t t he
r i g h t t o do i n t r a s t a t e b u s i n e s s f o r any r e a s o n deemed t o be
n e c e s s a r y and p r o p e r , s h o r t o f a r b i t r a r y a c t i o n . M i s s i s s i p p i
wo ul d not g ra n t a c e r t i f i c a t e o f i n c o r p o r a t i o n t o a no n
s t o c k , n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n w i t h a s e t up i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t
o f t h e NAACP h e r e . Pursuant t o an o p i n i o n o f t he A t t o r n e y
G e n e r a l , t h e Governor d e c l i n e d t o admit t h e NAACP t o do b u s i
n e s s i n M i s s i s s i p p i . That r e f u s a l on t h i s r e c o r d i s not
shown by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t o be a r b i t r a r y .
The f u n c t i o n o f t h e Governor i n d o m e s t i c a t i n g a
162 .
f o r e i g n c o r p o r a t i o n i s not a m i n i s t e r i a l or p e r f u n c t o r y
a c t . I t i s a q u e s t i o n commit ted t o t h e e x e r c i s e o f a sound
and r e a s o n a b l e d i s c r e t i o n . N e i t h e r an i n j u n c t i o n , nor a
mandamus may be used t o c o n t r o l or d i r e c t t h e e x e r c i s e o f
such d i s c r e t i o n i n a p a r t i c u l a r way. Both w r i t s a r e e x t r a -
(R561) o r d i n a r y p r o c e s s e s , and a r e t o i s s u e o n l y under t h e most
i m p e l l i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s t o p r e v e n t i r r e p a r a b l e i n j u r y . The
w r i t w i l l not i s s u e as a m a t t e r o f r i g h t but i s commi t ted t o
t h e sound d i s c r e t i o n o f t he C o u r t . Moor v . T e x as & N . O . R . R . .
297 US 1 01 , 56 S . C t . 372. The c o r p o r a t i o n has not shown by
a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t h a t i t i s e n t i t l e d t o an
i n j u n c t i o n . I t cannot be s a i d w i t h any d e g r e e o f a s s u r a n c e
t h a t t h e r e f u s a l to d o m e s t i c a t e i t i s a r b i t r a r y . The A t t o r -
n e t G e n er a l f u r n i s h e d the Governor w i t h h i s l e g a l o p i n i o n t o
t h e e f f e c t t h a t t he NAACP d i d not have t h e r e q u i s i t e member
s h i p i n M i s s i s s i p p i , and t h a t t h e i r d o m e s t i c a t i o n was not i n
t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t . He c o u l d have r e f e r r e d t o i n s t a n c e s
such as i t s i n c i t e m e n t t o t h e d i s o r d e r s b e f o r e t h e Court in
t h i s c a s e , o r t h e l i k e , but p l a i n t i f f s say he o b j e c t e d t o
t h e i r C i v i l R i g h t s s u i t s . S u r e l y , t h e c o r p o r a t i o n had t h e
r i g h t to a i d and enco ura ge and a s s i s t n e g r o e s i n t h e r e a l i
z a t i o n and enjoyment o f t h e i r f u l l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s ,
s h o r t o f v i o l a t i n g l o c a l laws i n d o i n g s o . In any e v e n t ,
i t has not been shown t o t h e r e a s o n a b l e s a t i s f a c t i o n o f t h e
163 .
Court t h a t the NAACP was u n l a w f u l l y d e n i e d t h e r i g h t t o
d o m e s t i c a t e i n M i s s i s s i p p i . I t i s t h e o p i n i o n o f t h e Court
on t h i s r e c o r d t h a t t h e s t a t e had t h e r i g h t t o r e j e c t i t s
a p p l i c a t i o n to d o m e s t i c a t e w i t h i n t h e s t a t e under t h e c i r
c u m s t a n c e s h e r e . Ashbury H o s p i t a l v . Cass C o u nt y . 326 US
2 0 7 , 66 S . C t . 6 1 ; S t a t e o f Wa s h i n g t o n v_._S u p e r i o r Cou r t ,
(R562) 289 US 361, 53 S . C t . 6 24 ; A t l a n t i c R e f i n i n g Co. v„ Vi r g i n i a .
302 US 22, 58 S . C t . 75 ; Bank o f Augusta v . Ear l e T 13 P e t e r s
5 19 , 10 L .E d . 274; L a f a y e t t e v . F r e n c h . 18 Howard 4 04 , 15
L . E d . 4 5 1 . This s u i t by t h i s c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f f o r t h i s
p u r p o s e cannot be m a i n t a i n e d f o r a n o t h e r r e a s o n . T h i s s u i t
i s i n e f f e c t a s u i t a g a i n s t t he S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i i t s e l f .
The s t a t e i s here t h r o u g h i t s o f f i c i a l s o b j e c t i n g t o b e i n g
sued i n v i o l a t i o n o f the E l e v e n t h Amendment t o t h e C o n s t i t u
t i o n o f t he Uni te d S t a t e s . That o b j e c t i o n must be and i s
s u s t a i n e d . Larson v . Do m e s t i c & F o r e i g n C o r p . . 337 US 682 .
A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e e n t i r e c o m p l a i n t i n t h i s c a s e i s
w i t h o u t m er i t and s hou ld be d i s m i s s e d at p l a i n t i f f s ’ c o s t
t o be t a x e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e r u l e s o f t he C o u r t . A j u d g
ment a c c o r d i n g l y may be p r e s e n t e d .
______ / s / H ar o l d Cox__________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
June 1 , 1964
* * * * * * * * * * *
164 .
(R563)
(R 56 4 )
( T i t l e Omitted — FILED JUN 5 19 64 )
FINAL JUDGMENT
THIS ACTION came on f o r h e a r i n g on i t s m e r i t s on
Count s I and I I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t , t h e answers o f t h e d e f e n d
a n t s t h e r e t o and on e v i d e n c e o f f e r e d by a l l p a r t i e s h e r e t o ,
and t he Court having c o n s i d e r e d same, t o g e t h e r w i t h b r i e f s
and o r a l arguments o f c o u n s e l , i s o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h e
p l a i n t i f f s a r e not e n t i t l e d to any o f t h e r e l i e f p r a y e d f o r
under e i t h e r Count I o r Count I I o f t h e c o m p l a i n t , which
s h o u l d be and t he same i s hereby d i s m i s s e d i n i t s e n t i r e t y
a t p l a i n t i f f s ’ c o s t .
IT I S , THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED t h a t
t h e e n t i r e c o m p l a i n t f i l e d h e r e i n , i n c l u d i n g Count I and
Count I I t h e r e o f , be and t h e same i s h e r e b y d i s m i s s e d at
p l a i n t i f f s ’ c o s t , t o be t a x e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r u l e s o f t h e
Court .
ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, t h i s 5th day o f J u n e ,
1964 .
___ / s / Haro l d Cox______________ _ ____
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
* * * * * * * * * * * *
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 20 1964)
NOTICE OF APPEAL
N o t i c e i s h ereb y g i v e n t ha t t h e p l a i n t i f f s , N a t i o n a l
165 .
(R565)
A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t he Advancement o f C o l o r e d P e o p l e , Roy
W i l k i n s , Mrs. Medgar E v e r s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, R e v . Ralph
Edwin King , D o r i s E rs k i ne and D o r i s A l l i s o n , a p p e a l t o t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s Court o f App ea ls f o r the F i f t h C i r c u i t f rom
t h i s C o u r t ’ s o r d e r o f June 5, 1 964 , d e n y i n g a l l i n j u n c t i v e
r e l i e f r e q u e s t e d by p l a i n t i f f s and d i s m i s s i n g t h e c o m p l a i n t .
__ / s / Der r i c k A. B e l l . J r . _________
JACK H . YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
115^ Nort h F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R. JESS BROWN
1252 North F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
1
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 18 , New York
JACK GREENBERG
DERRICK A . BELL, J R .
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 19 , New York
FRANK D. REEVES
508 F i f t h S t r e e t , N.W.
Washingt on 1 , D. C.
WILLIAM R. MING, JR.
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
( S l i p a t t a c h e d t o f o r e g o i n g i n s t r u m e n t showing d e p o s i t
o f $ 2 5 0 . 0 0 f o r c h e c k i n g a c c o u n t w i t h F i r s t N a t i o n a l Bank,
J a c k s o n , M i s s . )
166 .
(R566)
(R 56 7 )
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUL 6 1964)
I
DESIGNATION OF CONTENTS OF RECORD ON APPEAL
P l a i n t i f f s - a p p e l l a n t s , p u rs u a n t t o Rule 7 5 ( a ) o f t h e
F e d e r a l R u le s o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e , d e s i g n a t e the f o l l o w i n g
p o r t i o n s o f the p r o c e e d i n g s and e v i d e n c e t o be c o n t a i n e d in
t h e p r i n t e d r e c o r d on a p p e a l in t h i s a c t i o n , wh ich r e c o r d
p l a i n t i f f s - a p p e l l a n t s a u t h o r i z e t o be p r e p a r e d by Miss Meta
N i c h o l s o n , 836 N. J e f f e r s o n S t r e e t , J a c k s o n 2 , M i s s i s s i p p i ,
p u r s u a n t t o Rule 2 3 ( a ) ( l 0 ) o f t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t R u l e s :
1 . C o m p l a i n t , June 7, 1963.
2 . Mot i on f o r t empo rary r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r and p r e l i m i n a r y
i n j u n c t i o n w i t h a t t a c h e d a f f i d a v i t s and o t h e r e x h i b i t s ,
June 7, 1963 - and a d d i t i o n a l e x h i b i t s A t o F, f i l e d
June 10, 1963.
3 . De fenda nt C i t y o f J a c k s o n ’ s Mot ion t o D i s m i s s w i t h
a f f i d a v i t s , June 8 , 1963.
4 . Order t a k i n g c a s e under a dv is e me nt f o r l a t e r d e c i s i o n ,
June 11 , 1963 .
5 . P l a i n t i f f s ’ n o t i c e of a p p e a l .
6 . Judgment o f Un i te d S t a t e s Court o f A p p e a l s d i s m i s s i n g
a p p e a l J u l y 24, 1963.
7 . D e f e n d a n t s r e q u e s t s f o r a d m i s s i o n s on c o r p o r a t e and
i n d i v i d u a l p l a i n t i f f s , June 12 , 1 963 .
8 . P l a i n t i f f s ’ r e s p o n s e t o r e q u e s t f o r a d m i s s i o n s on
1 6 7 .
c o r p o r a t e p l a i n t i f f , June 21 , 1963 and on i n d i v i d u a l
p l a i n t i f f s , J u l y 26 , 1963 .
9 . Answer o f Ross R. B a r n e t t , J o e T. P a t t e r s o n and Heber
L a dn e r , June 27, 1 963 .
1 0 . Answer o f C i t y o f J a c k s o n , August 3 , 1 9 63 .
1 1 . Answer o f T. B. B i r d s o n g , O c t o b e r 1 8 , 1 9 63 .
L2. P l a i n t i f f s ’ mot i on f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g at an e a r l y d a t e ,
August 5, 1963 .
1 3 . Order o v e r r u l i n g mo t i o n f o r f u r t h e r h e a r i n g , August 1 7 ,
1963 .
1 4 . P l a i n t i f f s a f f i d a v i t s , Jack Young, S h i r l e y C a t c h i n g s ,
Mercedes W r i g h t , August 21, 1 9 6 3 .
1 5 . D e f e n d a n t s o p p o s i n g a f f i d a v i t s , J . L. Ray, S . B. B a r n e s ,
John Osbor ne , R. G. N i c h o l s , J r . , B e av e r s A r m s t r o n g ,
G. J . Husbands, E. E. Smith, D. A. N i c h o l s , J . H.
W i l l i a m s , and G. H. B l a c k w e l l .
1 6 . O p i n i o n o f Judge Cox on Count I , Ja nua ry 1 0 , 1 964 .
1 7 . O p i n i o n o f Judge Mize on Count I I , J a n ua ry 1 7 , 1 9 64 .
1 8 . Order d eny i ng temporary i n j u n c t i o n s i n Counts I and I I ,
January 23, 1964.
1 9 . F i r s t p r e t r i a l o r d e r , Fe brua ry 3, 1 964 .
2 0 . Order making r e s p o n s e t o r e q u e s t s f o r a d m i s s i o n s p a r t
o f p r o c e e d i n g , February 3, 1 9 64 .
2 1 . Order s u b s t i t u t i n g d e f endant s h e r i f f o f Hinds C o un ty ,
168 .
(R568)
F e b r u a r y 6 , 1 964 .
2 2 . P l a i n t i f f s ’ mot ion t o amend p r a y e r o f Count I o f com
p l a i n t , Feb rua ry 28, 1 964 .
2 3 . Order g r a n t i n g p l a i n t i f f s ’ m o t i o n t o amend, F eb r u a r y
28 , 1 964 .
2 4 . O p i n i o n o f Court d i s m i s s i n g c o m p l a i n t , June 3, 1 9 64 .
2 5 . F i n a l j udg me nt , June 5, 1 9 6 4 .
2 6 . N o t i c e o f a p p e a l , June 20, 1 9 6 4 .
2 7 . T h is D e s i g n a t i o n , J u l y 3, 1 964 .
2 8 . T r a n s c r i p t o f h e a r i n g on June 8 , 1 9 6 3 .
2 9 . T r a n s c r i p t o f t e s t i m o n y o f James Brown and Lu c ia n
R i c h a r d s in C i v i l A c t i o n s , No. 3430 and 3431 on June
1 2 , 1 9 63 .
\ "
3 0 . T r a n s c r i p t o f h e a r i n g on Count Two on June 2 4 , 1 9 6 3 .
3 1 . Answers o f p l a i n t i f f Ralph Edwin King t o q u e s t i o n s on
o r a l e x a m i n a t i o n , January 30, 1 9 64 .
3 2 . T r a n s c r i p t o f T r i a l , February 3 , 4 , 5, 6 , 2 7 , 2 8 , 1 9 64 .
II
Motion For T r a n s m i t t a l o f E x h i b i t s
P l a i n t i f f s - a p p e l l a n t s , pursu an t t o R u le 7 5 ( i ) o f t h e
F e d e r a l R ul es o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e , move t h e c o u r t f o r an
o r d e r t h a t a l l e x h i b i t s o f f e r e d or i n t r o d u c e d at t h e t r i a l
o f t h i s c a s e be sent t o the Un i te d S t a t e s Court o f A p p e a l s
f o r t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t in t h e i r o r i g i n a l f orm f o r i n s p e c t i o n
169 .
(R569)
by t h a t c o u r t , on t he ground t h a t s a i d e x h i b i t s e i t h e r g e n e r
a l l y d u p l i c a t e e v i d e n c e a d e q u a t e l y s e t f o r t h i n t h e p r i n t e d
r e c o r d or t h e i r r e p r o d u c t i o n i s d i f f i c u l t and w i l l g r e a t l y
e n l a r g e an a l r e a d y vo lumi no us r e c o r d .
I l l
Statement o f P o i n t s
Pursuant t o Rule 7 5 ( d ) o f t h e F e d e r a l R u l e s o f C i v i l
P r o c e d u r e , t h e p l a i n t i f f s - a p p e l l a n t s h e r e b y s t a t e t h a t t h e y
w i l l r a i s e on a p p e a l a l l q u e s t i o n s p o s e d by t h e D i s t r i c t
C o u r t ’ s d e n i a l o f a l l r e l i e f sought in Count I , Count I I , and
t h e amended p r a y e r o f Count I o f c o m p l a i n t .
__ /_sj_ De r r i c k A . Bel l , J r . _________
JACK GREENBERG
DERRICK A . BELL, J R .
10 Columbus C i r c l e
New York 1 9 , New York
ROBERT L. CARTER
BARBARA A. MORRIS
20 West 40th S t r e e t
New York 18 , New York
JACK H. YOUNG
CARSIE A. HALL
115j N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
R. JESS BROWN
125^ N. F a r i s h S t r e e t
J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i
WILLIAM R . MING, J R .
123 West Madison S t r e e t
C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s
FRANK D. REEVES
508 5th S t r e e t , N.W.
Wa s h i ng t on 1 , D. C .
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f s
(The f o r e g o i n g i ns t rum ent c a r r i e s p r o p e r C e r t i f i c a t e
o f S e r v i c e which i s not c o p i e d h e r e . )
(T67)
(T68)
( T i t l e Omitted - FILED JUN 14 1963)
APPEARANCES:
CARSIE A. HALL, J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
WILLIAM R. MING, J R . , C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s ;
BARBARA A. MORRIS, New York 18 , New Y o rk ;
FRANK D. REEVES, Washington 1 , D. C.
A l l A pp ea r i ng f o r the P l a i n t i f f s .
THOMAS H. WATKINS, J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
E. W. STENNETT, J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i ;
A p p e a r i n g f o r A l l De f endant s e x c e p t De f en da nt B a r n e t t ,
P a t t e r s o n and Ladner , and B i r d s o n g .
BE IT REMEMBERED that on, t o - w i t , S a t u r d a y , June 8 , 1 9 6 3 , t h e
a b o v e s t y l e d and numbered c aus e came on f o r h e a r i n g b e f o r e
t h e HONORABLE WILLIAM HAROLD COX, U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t
J ud ge f o r t h e Southern D i s t r i c t o f M i s s i s s i p p i , at J a c k s o n ,
M i s s i s s i p p i , i n the J a c ks o n D i v i s i o n , when t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o
c e e d i n g s were had and e n t e r e d o f r e c o r d :
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Your Honor, a f t e r d i s c u s s i o n w i t h my a s s o c i a t e s and
n e c e s s a r y i n q u i r i e s and so on I would l i k e t o s t a t e t o t h e
Court t h a t i t i s our d e s i r e t o c a l l as a d v e r s e w i t n e s s e s
under t h e r u l e s the Mr. Thompson, t h e Mayor o f J a c k s o n ; Mr.
R a y f i e l d , t he C h i e f o f P o l i c e and Mr. G i l f o y , t h e S h e r i f f o f
Hinds C o u n t y . I hope the Court and Mr. Wat kins w i l l a p p r e
c i a t e t h e f a c t t ha t under t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s I c o u l d not s e r v e
170 .
171 .
s u b p oe na e s or n o t i c e s t o appear s i n c e as I o b s e r v e d t o t h e
Court b e f o r e t ha t I had no way o f knowing what our p r o c e d u r e
would be t h i s morning. The f o u r t h w i t n e s s I would c a l l would
be one o f the p l a i n t i f f s , Mr. E v e r s , who i s on h i s way t o t h e
Court a m a t t e r o f twenty minutes or a h a l f hour f rom h e r e .
In t h e i n t e r v a l I would r e s p e c t f u l l y s u g g e s t t o t he Court
a f t e r I have a s c e r t a i n e d the C o u r t ’ s v i ew and Mr. W a t k i n s ’
(T69) v i ew w i t h r e s p e c t t o t he d e f e n d a n t ’ s w i t n e s s e s we c o u l d p r o
c e e d w i t h t he l e g a l q u e s t i o n s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h -----
BY THE COURT :
No s i r , I am not g o i n g to w a i t on any l i t i g a n t s . I
have Court up here at nine o ’ c l o c k and i f t h e y c a n ’ t g e t here
t h a t ’ s j u s t t o o bad.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , I unders tand t h a t , Your Honor , but I r e s p e c t
f u l l y a s k t h e C o u r t ’ s i n d u l g e n c e , t h i s i s not a m a t t e r o f
l i t i g a n t s but t h i s i s a matter o f w i t n e s s e s .
BY THE COURT :
I s n ’ t Medgar Evers a p a r t y p l a i n t i f f t o t h i s s u i t ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Yes S i r .
BY THE COURT:
W e l l , he c e r t a i n l y ought t o be h e r e , he i s not t h a t
i m p o r t a n t not up h e r e .
172 .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I r e c o g n i z e t h a t s i r . I d o n ’ t t h i n k any bo dy i s more
i m p o r t a n t t h a t the Court but as I say i t was not u n t i l t he
Court made i t s s t at e m e n t s about p r o c e d u r e t h a t I knew what we
would be d o i n g t h i s morning and what our p r o c e d u r e would b e .
BY THE COURT :
W e l l , I am g o i n g to l e t you p r o c e e d w i t h y o u r w i t
n e s s e s . I want to s t a t e i n t o the r e c o r d h er e j u s t what we
(T70) s u b s t a n t i a l l y a g r e e d on at t he o u t s e t o f f t he r e c o r d and you
may s t a t e i t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I t i s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g , Your Honor , t h a t we w i l l
p r o c e e d w i th a h e a r i n g on t he p r e l i m i n a r y on t h e a p p l i c a t i o n
o f p l a i n t i f f s f o r p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
m a t t e r c o v e r e d by Count One o f t he c o m p l a i n t and I have
h i t h e r t o s t a t e d t o the Court and I r e p e a t t o t h e Court t h a t
un der t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s the f o u r s t a t e o f f i c e r s , namel y ;
t h e G o v e r n o r , t he A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l , t he S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ,
C omm is s io ne r o f Highway P a t r o l a r e not n e c e s s a r y p a r t i e s t o
c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f our a p p l i c a t i o n . I b e l i e v e t h a t i s sub
s t a n t i a l l y what I s t a t e d t o t he Court o f f t h e r e c o r d .
BY THE COURT :
What do you say t o t h a t , Mr. Wat kins ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
173 .
T h a t ’ s not my u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f how we a r e p r o c e e d
i n g . I t s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g c o u n s e l f o r t h e p l a i n t i f f s a g r e e d
w i t h t h e Court t ha t we were e n t i t l e d to t h r e e days n o t i c e on
t h e h e a r i n g f o r the t emp ora ry i n j u n c t i o n but t h a t we were p r o
c e e d i n g on a j o i n t h e a r i n g o f b o t h t he m o t i o n f o r a t e m p o r a r y
r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r and the d e f e n d a n t s ’ m o t i o n t o d i s m i s s .
BY THE COURT :
T h a t ’ s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g . You have a d i f f e r e n t u n d e r
s t a n d i n g o f t h a t ?
(T71) BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , I t r i e d to l i s t e n to Mr. Watkins c a r e f u l l y and
I i n t e n d e d t o be say ing what I heard Mr. Watkins s a y i n g .
BY THE COURT :
I d o n ’ t know who s a i d i t , I say t h i s t ho ug h t h a t o f
c o u r s e t h e y a r e e n t i t l e d t o t h r e e days n o t i c e which t h e y
h a v e n ’ t had and he was i n s i s t i n g on i t so I w i l l say t h i s f o r
t h e r e c o r d t h a t we a re p r o c e e d i n g here on t h e mot i on t o d i s
miss and on your a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t e m p o r a r y r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r
a g a i n s t a l l o f the r e s p o n d e n t s e x c ep t t h e s t a t e o f f i c i a l s and
we a r e p r o c e e d i n g as I unders ta nd i t on Count One and n o t on
Count Two o f your c o m p l a i n t . I s t hat r i g h t ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
That i s c o r r e c t .
BY THE COURT:
174 .
W e l l , t h a t ’ s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f our p r o c e d u r e now
and t h a t w i l l be t he o r d e r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , i n t ha t e v e n t , Your Honor , may I r a i s e i n q u i r y
i f t h e d i s t i n c t i o n between the s t a te me nt which I made and t h e
s t a t e m e n t which Your Honor made and t h e s t a t e m e n t w h i ch Mr.
Watkins made i s t he matt er o f the t h r e e days n o t i c e a b o ut
w h i c h I c e r t a i n l y have no q u a r r e l as t o t h e r u l e s and t h e
s t a t u t e I would sug g es t t o t h e Court t h a t as I s u g g e s t e d a t the
v e r y o u t s e t o f t h i s h e a r i n g t h a t i t would e x p e d i t e m a t t e r s f o r
(T72) t h e Court and f o r the p a r t i e s i f we c o n d u c t e d a h e a r i n g on t h e
p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n , gave t he t h r e e days n o t i c e and c o n d u c
t e d a h e a r i n g on the p r e l i m i n a r y i n j u n c t i o n . I am c o n c e r n e d
t r u l y a b o u t e x p e d i t i n g t h i s p r o c e e d i n g and d e a l i n g w i t h i t
c o n s i s t e n t l y o f c o u r s e w i t h the r u l e s as r a p i d l y as t h e Court
can do i t and as I say I am not q u a r r e l l i n g w i t h M r . W a t k i n s ’
r i g h t t o t h r e e days n o t i c e and I want t o say a g a i n to him and
t o t h e Court t h a t we have been t r y i n g t o comply w i t h t h e
n o t i c e r e q u i r e m e n t s as b e s t we c o u l d under a l l the c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
BY THE COURT :
W e l l , we w i l l get g o i n g . Do you want t o p r o c e e d on
y o u r a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a t emp or ar y r e s t r a i n i n g o r d e r ?
Y e s , Your Honor, and I want t o c a l l i n s u p p o r t o f my
BY ATTORNEY MING:
1 75.
a p p l i c a t i o n the f o u r p e r s o n s t h a t I named and I am i n q u i r i n g
s i n c e I do not have I have not se rv e d n o t i c e on Mr. Thompson,
Mr. R a y f i e l d o r Mr. G i l f o y as p a r t i e s t o be p r e s e n t n or have
I s e r v e d subpoenaes f o r r e a s o n s which I have e x p l a i n e d .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I am i n q u i r i n g now o f Mr. Watkins as t o wh et her he
w i l l p r o d u c e them.
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
No s i r , Your Honor, we w i l l not p r o d u c e them, t h e y
(T73) have not been subpoenaed as w i t n e s s e s and t h e y a r e v e r y much
n eed ed i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e o f f i c e s a t t h i s v e r y t ime b e c a u s e
o f t h e s i t u a t i o n which we t h i n k t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s have c r e a t e d
i n t h i s c i t y and coun ty and I would not c o n s e n t t o b r i n g them
up here u n l e s s t h e y are subpoenaed and I d o n ’ t t h i n k t h e
Court s h o u l d r e q u i r e them to come under a subpoena under t he
e x i s t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n the C i t y o f J a c k s o n . That q u e s t i o n
s h o u l d have been r a i s e d by him s ub p o e n a i n g t h o s e w i t n e s s e s
y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n i f he wanted them h er e but I t h i n k t h i s
i s much t o o l a t e f o r him to ask f o r t h e o f f i c i a l s c h a r g e d i n
t h i s s u i t now t o turn l o o s e t h e i r d u t i e s and come up t o a p p e ar
as h i s w i t n e s s e s in t h i s p r o c e e d i n g .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 176 .
(T74)
W e l l , I sugges t t o the Court t h a t I am c a l l i n g them
as p a r t i e s under the r u l e s which p r o v i d e f o r c a l l i n g as
a d v e r s e w i t n e s s e s p a r t i e s t o l i t i g a t i o n and I c o n c e d e t h a t
t h a t would r e q u i r e the s e r v i c e o f n o t i c e . I f Mr. Watkins
i n s i s t s on t h a t n o t i c e I w i l l have no a l t e r n a t i v e but t o a s k
t h e Court then t o put t h e matt er o v e r t o Monday morning and
I w i l l s e r v i c e the n o t i c e .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t , I w i l l r e v e r s e my d e c i s i o n t hen and I w i l l
he ar t h i s ma tt e r o n l y on Mr. W a t k i n s ’ mot i on t o d i s m i s s at
t h i s t ime and I w i l l hear y o u .
(At which t ime the Court heard argument o f c o u n s e l on
D e f e n d a n t s ’ mot ion to d i s m i s s ; a f t e r which t ime t h e h e a r i n g o f
t h i s c a u se was r e c e s s e d u n t i l 9 : 0 0 A .M. , Monday, June 19 ,
1 9 6 3 , a t which t ime the f o l l o w i n g p r o c e e d i n g s were had and
e n t e r e d o f r e c o r d : )
BY THE COURT :
Who w i l l you have as your f i r s t w i t n e s s :
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I am g o i ng t o c a l l C h i e f R a y f i e l d , Your Honor .
CHIEF W. C. RAYFIELD c a l l e d as an a d v e r s e w i t n e s s by
t h e P l a i n t i f f s , was sworn and t e s t i f i e d as f o l l o w s :
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY MING:
177 .W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r .
y°u s t a t e your name and a d d r e s s ?
W. D. R a y f i e l d , 2314 H a r r i e t t Avenue , C i t y o f
And you a r e the C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f
That i s c o r r e c t .
And how l on g have you o c c u p i e d t h a t p l a c e ?
S i n c e January , 1 952 .
C o n t i n u o u s l y ?
C o n t i n u o u s l y .
Mr. R a y f i e l d , how many p o l i c e o f f i c e r s were i n
t h e employ o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n v i l l e on May 2 8 t h , 1963? I
am s o r r y , C i t y o f Jackson?
A Of c o u r s e I d o n ’ t have any a c c u r a t e amount t h a t I
c o u l d g i v e you t h e n . We have expanded t h e C i t y and i n c r e a s e d
t h e f o r c e one or p o s s i b l y two t i m e s s i n c e t h e n , I w o u l d n ’ t - -
Q Perhaps you m i s u n d e r s t o o d my q u e s t i o n . The d at e
I i n q u i r e d about was May 2 5 t h , 1963?
A Oh ’ 63 , I am s o r r y . There i s a ro und 175 u n i f o r m
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s w i t h o u t rank . There a r e a ro und 42 p o l i c e
o f f i c e r s w i t h r ank .
Q And by t ha t you mean s e r g e a n t s , l i e u t e n a n t s , c a p
t a i n s , i s t h a t c o r r e c t , C h i e f ?
A Deputy c h i e f s , c a p t a i n s , l i e u t e n a n t s and so f o r t h .
Q
A
Ja c ks on .
Q
J a c k s o n ?
A
Q
A
Q
A
Q
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 1 78 .
Q Does t h a t i n c l u d e t h e n o n - u n i f o r m f o r c e ?
A The d e t e c t i v e s ?
Q T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
A No, t h a t does not i n c l u d e , t h e r e a r e 25 o r 26
d e t e c t i v e s .
Q So t h a t t h e t o t a l o f a l l ranks u n i f o r m e d and n o n -
u n i f o r m e d would be about 175 o f f i c e r s , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A No, t h a t ’ s 175 u n i f o r m o f f i c e r s w i t h o u t r a n k .
Q I see .
A The sum t o t a l would be p l u s 32 s u p e r v i s o r y o f f i c e r s
i n u n i f o r m p l u s 25 d e t e c t i v e s .
Q About 235 o f f i c e r s a l t o g e t h e r o f a l l ranks u n i -
f o r m e d and n o n - u n i f o r m e d ?
A T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t , a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h a t number.
Q Now in the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f y o ur
p o l i c e f o r c e who a r e your immediate s u b o r d i n a t e s ?
A The A s s i s t a n t C h i e f and C h i e f o f D e t e c t i v e s M. B.
P i e r c e ; Deputy C h i e f s J . L. Ray, Be av er s A r m s t r o n g ; L. V.
W a rr e n ; S . B. Bar nes , h e ’ s i n d e t e c t i v e s , h e ’ s no t i n u n i
f o r m . There are sum t o t a l o f f o u r d e p u t y c h i e f s . There i s a
c a p t a i n on each o f the t h r e e s h i f t s p l u s a c a p t a i n on t h e
m o t o r c y c l e s would be f o u r , a bout s i x c a p t a i n s o f p o l i c e . Of
c o u r s e I d o n ’ t r e c a l l the e xa ct number o f l i e u t e n a n t s and
t h e r e a r e q u i t e a few l i e u t e n a n t s and s e r g e a n t s .
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 179 .
Q Now does the Jackson P o l i c e F o r c e g e n e r a l l y work
on an 8 hour a day 6 day a week b a s i s ?
A No, g e n e r a l l y work 8 hour day 5 days a week .
Q 8 hour day 5 days a week so t h a t t h e r e a r e t h r e e
s h i f t s o r wat ches i n t he 24 hour p e r i o d w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r y
o v e r l a p p i n g t o c o v e r the 2 days which each man d o e s no t work
i n e a c h week, i s t ha t r i g h t , C h i e f ?
A T hat ’ s c o r r e c t .
BY THE COURT :
What i s t he s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h i s , c o u n s e l ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I want t o show the deployment o f t h e p o l i c e f o r c e and
i t s u s e , Your Honor, a t the t ime and p l a c e i n v o l v e d and i n
o r d e r t o do t ha t t o e s t a b l i s h the number o f p e r s o n s employed
on t h e p o l i c e f o r c e and what t h e y were d o i n g at t h e t i m e s and
p l a c e s t h a t a r e c ompla i ned o f .
BY THE COURT :
They a r e t r y i n g to keep p e a c e . I t h i n k you a r e
w a s t i n g t i m e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now on May 2 8th , 1963, a t 12 noon how many p o l i c e
o f f i c e r s were on duty and where were t h e y ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t answer t h a t . The p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a r e
a s s i g n e d by the deputy c h i e f s and I w o u l d n ’ t have any kn owl ed ge
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 1 80 .
how many i n one p a r t i c u l a r p l a c e at any one p a r t i c u l a r t i m e .
Q And i f I were to a sk you the same q u e s t i o n a bo ut
May 29 o r May 30 would y our answer be t he same?
A That ’ s c o r r e c t .
Q What equipment d i d the J a c k s o n u n i f o r m p o l i c e
o f f i c e r s c a r r y on May 2 5 t h , 1963?
A W e l l , the u s u a l eq ui pme nt ; the s i d e a r m s , some o f
them c a r r y hand c u f f s , some c a r r y n i g h t s t i c k s .
Q Do t h e y wear s h i e l d s o r b a d g e s ?
A S u r e .
Q Are t h o s e s h i e l d s and badg es numbered?
A No .
Q They do not bear numbers?
A Po s i t i v e l y n o t .
Q Do you know the p l a i n t i f f Medgar E ve r s ?
A I d o n ’ t know him p e r s o n a l l y . I know him when I see
him.
Q You know the P l a i n t i f f W i l l i e Ludden?
A No, I d o n ’ t .
Q You know t he P l a i n t i f f R e v . Ralph King?
A No, I d o n ’ t b e l i e v e I know him.
Q Or Miss E r s k i n e ?
A No, I d o n ’ t know h e r .
Q Or Mrs. A l l i s o n ?
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 1 81 .
A No, I d o n ’ t know h e r .
Q Did you a r r e s t any o f t h o s e p e r s o n s ?
A I w o u l dn ’ t say t h a t I d i d . I d i d n ’ t a r r e s t any
o f them.
Q I am sorry?
A I said I personal ly did not arre s t any of these
p e o p l e .
Q Did you on o r about May 2 5 t h , 1963 make a r r a n g e -
ments t o h o l d i n c u s t o d y a l a r g e number o f p e r s o n s in t he C i t y
o f J a c k s o n ?
A Yes .
Q When did you make t h o s e a r r a n g e m e n t s ?
A I d o n ’ t remember the e x a c t d a t e .
Q Was i t b e f o r e May 25, 1963?
A I t c o u l d have p o s s i b l y b e e n .
Q Was i t a f t e r May 25, 1963?
A No, I i t p o s s i b l y as b e s t as I r e c a l l around t h e
2 5 t h o f May. I d o n ’ t know the e x a c t d a t e .
Q Now wi t h whom d i d you make t h e s e a r r a g e m e n t s ?
A W e l l , I made the a rrangement s w i t h t h e s u p e r v i s o r y
o f f i c e r s i n t he p o l i c e d epa rt ment .
Q And what did t h o s e arrangeme nt s c o n s i s t o f ?
A They c o n s i s t e d o f f a c i l i t i e s t o t a k e c a r e o f a
l a r g e r group o f p e o p l e than we c o u l d accommodate i n our p r e s e n t
W. D. R a y f i e l d , C r . 182 .
j a i l .
Q And how many p e r s o n s can you accommodate i n y o u r
p r e s e n t j a i l ?
A W e l l , we can put 230 p e o p l e i n t h e r e by c r o w d i n g
them; t h a t i s p u t t i n g e x t r a m a t t r e s s e s on t h e f l o o r and such
as t h a t .
Q And how many p e o p l e d id you make a r r a n g e m e n t s to
h o l d i n c u s t o d y ?
A I d i d n ’ t make a r ra ng e me nt s f o r any p a r t i c u l a r num
b e r .
Q But you made a r ra ng e me nt s t o h o l d more than 230
i n c u s t o d y , i s t h a t r i g h t , C h i e f ?
A I made arra ng ement s t o t a k e c a r e o f more than we
c o u l d accommodate in our j a i l .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have no f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
No q u e s t i o n s , Your Honor
(T80) BY ATTORNEY MING:
For t he r e c o r d t h e d e f e n d a n t Mr. R a y f i e l d i s
e x c u s e d so f a r as the p l a i n t i f f s a r e c o n c e r n e d .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t . You may be e x c u s e d .
( W i t n e s s e x c u s e d . )
A . Thomp so n , Cr . 183 .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Mayor Thomspon.
£1AY0R_ALLEN THOMPSON cal led as an adverse witness
by the P l a i n t i f f s , was sworn and t e s t i f i e d as f o l l o w s :
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W i l l you s t a t e your name and a d d r e s s ?
A A l l e n Thompson, J a c k s o n , M i s s i s s i p p i .
Q And what i s your b u s i n e s s o r o c c u p a t i o n , Mr.
Thompson?
A I am the Mayor o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
Q And how long have you been t h e Mayor o f the C i t y
o f J a c k s o n ?
A Over 14 and a h a l f y e a r s .
Q Mayor Thompson, I c a l l y our a t t e n t i o n t o t h e p r o
v i s i o n s o f S e c t i o n 4065.3 o f the M i s s i s s i p p i Code which i s
e n t i t l e d Compl iance wi t h t he P r i n c i p l e s o f S e g r e g a t i o n o f t he
R a c e s and may the r e c o r d show t h a t I am ha nding to Mayor
Thompson c o p y o f the M i s s i s s i p p i Code open to t h a t s e c t i o n and
a s k you i f you a r e f a m i l i a r w i t h t ha t s t a t u t e ?
A No, I am n o t . I p r o b a b l y s h o u l d be but we have
n e v e r o p e r a t e d under t h i s p a r t i c u l a r s t a t u t e and f r a n k l y I
d o n ’ t know a n y t h i n g about s e g r e g a t i o n s t a t u t e s .
BY THE COURT:
A . T homp so n , Cr . 184 .
What i s t hat s e c t i o n a g a i n ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I t i s 4065 . 3 t i t l e d C ompl ia nc e w i t h t h e P r i n c i p l e s
o f t h e S e g r e g a t i o n o f the R a c e s .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t . Go ahead .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Did you know t h a t that s t a t u t e was p a s s e d by t h e
M i s s i s s i p p i L e g i s l a t u r e i n 1956?
A No . As I ment ioned I p r o b a b l y s hou ld have but
our p o l i c y has been one o f v o l u n t a r y s e p a r a t i o n o f t h e r a c e s
o v e r t h e y e a r s and we have not o p e r a t e d even by d i r e c t
e x e c u t i v e o r d e r s f rom me t o bus inessmen and to o t h e r s . Ours
has been ba sed e n t i r e l y on v o l u n t a r y s e p a r a t i o n . T he r e have
b e en no a r r e s t s under s e g r e g a t i o n s t a t u t e s t h a t I know o f
and t h e r e have been no o r d e r s t o a r r e s t under s e g r e g a t i o n
s t a t u t es .
Q Now a r e you f a m i l i a r w i t h t he f a c t t h a t under
4 0 6 5 . 3 t h e same s e c t i o n t h a t I i n q u i r e d o f you t h e l e g i s l a
t u r e has commanded a l i s t o f o f f i c e r s i n c l u d i n g mayors and I
q u o t e a r e r e q u i r e d and each o f them s h a l l g i v e f u l l f o r c e and
e f f e c t i n t he per f ormance o f t h e i r o f f i c i a l and p o l i t i c a l
d u t i e s t o t h e r e s o l u t i o n o f i n t e r p o s i t i o n S e n a t e C o n c u r r e n t
R e s o l u t i o n Number 125 a dopt ed by the L e g i s l a t u r e o f t h e S t a t e
A. Thompson, C r . 185 .
o f M i s s i s s i p p i on the 29th day o f F e b r u a r y , 1956 w h i ch r e s o
l u t i o n o f i n t e r p o s i t i o n was a d o p t e d by v i r t u e o f and under
a u t h o r i t i e s o f the r e s e r v e d r i g h t s o f the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i
as g u a r a n t e e d by the Tenth Amendment t o t he C o n s t i t u t i o n o f
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s and a l l o f s a id members o f t he e x e c u t i v e
b r a n c h be and they a r e hereby d i r e c t e d t o comply f u l l y w i t h
t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f the S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i , t h e s t a t u t e s
o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i and s a i d r e s o l u t i o n o f i n t e r p o s i
t i o n and a r e f u r t h e r d i r e c t e d and r e q u i r e d to p r o h i b i t by any
l a w f u l , p e a c e f u l and c o n s t i t u t i o n a l means the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n
o f o r c o m p l i a n c e wi t h t he i n t e g r a t i o n d e c i s i o n s o f t h e Supreme
Court o f t h e United S t a t e s and c a s e s c i t e d and t o p r o h i b i t by
any l a w f u l , p e a c e f u l and c o n s t i t u t i o n a l means t h e c a u s i n g o f
t h e m i x i n g o r i n t e g r a t i o n o f the w h i t e and negro r a c e s i n
p u b l i c s c h o o l s , p u b l i c p a r k s , p u b l i c w a i t i n g r o o m s , p u b l i c
p l a c e s o f amusement, r e c r e a t i o n or a s s e m b l y i n t h i s s t a t e by
any b r a n c h o f the f e d e r a l government , any p e r s o n employed by
t h e f e d e r a l government , any c o m m is s i on , board o r a g e n c y o f
t h e f e d e r a l government or any s u b d i v i s i o n o f t h e f e d e r a l
g ov ernme nt and to p r o h i b i t by any l a w f u l , p e a c e f u l and c o n
s t i t u t i o n a l means the i m p l e me n ta t i on o f any o r d e r s , r u l e s o r
r e g u l a t i o n s o f any b o a r d , commission o r a g e n c y o f t he f e d e r a l
g ov ernment based on t he supposed a u t h o r i t y o f s a i d i n t e g r a t i o n
d e c i s i o n s to cause a mixing or i n t e g r a t i o n o f t h e w h i t e and
A. Thompson, Cr . 186 .
n eg ro r a c e s by p u b l i c s c h o o l s , p u b l i c p a r k s , p u b l i c wa i t i n g
r o o m s , p u b l i c p l a c e s o f amusement, r e c r e a t i o n or a s s e m b l y
i n t h i s s t a t e .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
May i t p l e a s e the C o u r t , I want to o b j e c t t o t h a t
f o r s e v e r a l r e a s o n s . F i r s t , i t i s i m m a t e r i a l whe ther t he
Mayor has p e r s o n a l knowledge o f t h a t o r n o t . S e c o n d , t h e
s t a t u t e d e a l s e x c l u s i v e l y w i t h mixing i n p u b l i c s c h o o l s and
p u b l i c p l a c e s such as p a r k s , r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s , bus
s t a t i o n s and t he l i k e , none o f which a r e i n i s s u e i n t h i s
l a w s u i t . This l a ws u i t i n v o l v e s a l l e g e d a r r e s t s e i t h e r on
t h e s t r e e t s o f J a c ks on , t he s id e w a l k s o f J a c k s o n o r i n p r i
v a t e b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h m e n t s in J a c k s o n . That s t a t u t e has
n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h i s l a w s u i t and whether the Mayor knows
a n y t h i n g a bo ut i t or not i s not m a t e r i a l to t h i s l a w s u i t .
BY THE COURT:
T h a t ’ s my u n d er s t a nd i ng o f what c o u n s e l read but
n e v e r t h e l e s s I w i l l l e t the Mayor answer i t .
A As I sa id I p r o b a b l y should have been f a m i l i a r
w i t h i t but we employ many a t t o r n e y s who c h e c k on new s t a t u t e s
and a d v i s e me where t hey c o n s i d e r them n e c e s s a r y f o r me t o
know o f t h e i r c o n t e n t s . This p a r t i c u l a r s t a t u t e was not
b r o u g h t t o my a t t e n t i o n in a l l p r o b a b i l i t y b e c a u s e t h e r e was
no need f o r i t i n t h i s c i t y as I have s a i d b e c a u s e a v o l u n t a r y
187 .A . Thomp so n , Cr .
s e p a r a t i o n o f the r a c e s has been p r a c t i c e d i n s t e a d o f s e g r e
g a t i o n under law as was i m p l i e d i n t h a t s t a t u t e . I n c i d e n t a l l y ,
wou ld l i k e to get that number and o f my a t t o r n e y s and l e t me
r e a d i t when I go back t o my o f f i c e p l e a s e s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Mayor Thompson, d id you t e s t i f y i n t h e c a s e o f
B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n in t h i s Court?
A I have been in c o u r t i n so many c a s e s t o be f r a n k
w i t h you I am not sure whether , what was t h e B a i l e y c a s e
a b o u t ?
Q The B a i l e y case was a c a s e i n v o l v i n g a c o n t r o v e r s y
c o n c e r n i n g s e g r e g a t i o n i n t e r m i n a l s ?
A Yes .
Q Bus t e r m i n a l s .
A Yes .
Q You d id t e s t i f y t h e r e ?
A I b e l i e v e I t e s t i f i e d . I was in C o u r t . I am not
t r y i n g t o dodge the i s s u e but as I s a id I have been i n so
many c a s e s i n the l a s t two or t h r e e y e a r s and i n c o u r t and on
w i t n e s s s t and I am not t r y i n g t o m i s l e a d you or t h e Court on
t h a t . I am t r y i n g to t e l l i t e x a c t l y as I remember i t .
Q W e l l , Mayor Thompson, so t ha t you and I can be
e q u a l l y f r a n k and candid wi t h each o t h e r I have in my hand
what p u r p o r t s to be a r e c o r d o f your t e s t i m o n y .
A. Thompson, C r . 1 88 .
A W e l l , I am sure t h a t I t e s t i f i e d .
Q And I want to i n q u i r e o f you wh et her c e r t a i n q u e s
t i o n s were asked you and c e r t a i n answers g i v e n by y ou?
A Yes s i r .
Q At t ha t t ime and at t h a t p l a c e were you a sked t he
q u e s t i o n s t a t e your un der s ta nd i ng o f t h e r a c i a l p o l i c y o f t he
C i t y o f J ac kson wi t h r e s p e c t t o t r a n s p o r t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s in
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n . You r e c a l l b e i n g asked t h a t q u e s t i o n ?
A I j u s t cannot r e c a l l p a r t i c u l a r q u e s t i o n s . I f t he
r e c o r d shows t h a t I am sure I was asked t h a t and a nswered i t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , Your Honor, I have here a c o p y o f t he o p i n
i o n o f t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t in B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n and i n the
d i s s e n t i n g o p i n i o n Judge Rives i n c o r p o r a t e d as a p a r t o f h i s
o p i n i o n an e x c e r p t o f the t e s t i m o n y o f Mayor Thompson and I
wo n de r i f I might show Mayor Thompson t ha t e x c e r p t and a s k him
i f t h a t r e f r e s h e s h i s r e c o l l e c t i o n .
BY THE COURT:
I t would p r o b a b l y be b e t t e r t o show him the t e s t i -
mo ny .
BY ATTORNEY:
May i t p l e a s e the C o u rt , I would l i k e t o , I am
s ur e c o u n s e l ’ s s tatement was i n a d v e r t e n t . I would l i k e t o
p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e r e has been no d e c i s i o n by t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t
A. Thompson, C r . 189 .
i n t h e B a i l e y c a s e . The d e c i s i o n r e f e r r e d t o was a d e c i s i o n
o f a Three Judge Court here in J a c k s o n .
(T 86 ) BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s r i g h t , Mr. Watkins i s q u i t e r i g h t .
BY THE COURT :
I would suggest t h a t the w i t n e s s see t h e t r a n
s c r i p t o r a p o r t i o n o f the t r a n s c r i p t r a t h e r t ha n what some
b o d y s a i d t h e t r a n s c r i p t shows.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , t h i s p u r p o r t s t o be as an a p p e n d i x t o Judge
R i v e s ’ o p i n i o n the s e t t i n g out o f a _________ v er ba o f t he
M a y o r ’ s t e s t i m o n y and f o r c o n v e n i e n c e i n c a r r y i n g i t , Your
Ho no r , I b roug ht i t s i n c e i t s s m a l l e r than t h e t r a n s c r i p t
i t s e l f .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t , show i t to him.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I w i l l show i t to Mr. Watkins so t h a t i f he has
any q u e s t i o n about i t .
BY THE COURT:
Even t h e s e judg es d i s a g r e e a bo ut what t r a n s c r i p t s
show and t h e y quote from the r e c o r d to s up p or t o b v i o u s c o n
t e n t i o n s som et i mes . T ha t ’ s the re as on I s u g g e s t e d t he p r o
p r i e t y o f g e t t i n g the t r a n s c r i p t .
A . Thompson, C r . 190 .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have the t r a n s c r i p t a v a i l a b l e , I c o u l d g e t i t
h e r e i n a f ew minutes , Your Honor.
(T87) BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Your Honor, I d o n ’ t know o b v i o u s l y whe ther t h i s
i s c o r r e c t l y taken from the t r a n s c r i p t o r n o t . Just l e t t h e
w i t n e s s read the q u e s t i o n and answer and see i f t h e w i t n e s s
can i d e n t i f y i t .
BY THE COURT :
Yes , I am sure t ha t Judge R i v e s d i d n ’ t put a n y
t h i n g i n h i s o p i n i o n that wasn’ t a c c u r a t e o r he d i d n ’ t t h i n k
was a c c u r a t e but I s t i l l t h i n k the w i t n e s s might g et more
f r o m t h e t r a n s c r i p t -----
BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) W e l l , Your Honor , I -----
BY THE COURT:
( C o n t i n u i n g ) when you d o n ’ t have a t r a n s c r i p t
you may show him t h a t .
BY ATTORNEY:
Judge , l e t me s t a t e t he r e a s o n I make t h a t r e
mark. The answer i s broken by t h r e e d o t s i n at l e a s t one
p l a c e and by dashes in o t h e r s . I d o n ’ t know whether t h a t ’ s
A. Thompson, Cr. 191 .
an a c c u m u l a t i o n o f q u e s t i o n s and answers o r l e a v i n g s o me t hi ng
o ut o r what .
BY THE COURT:
Do you have the t r a n s c r i p t ?
(T88) BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have the t r a n s c r i p t , Your Honor , i f Mr. Brown
c o u l d be e x cu se d f o r a few minutes he can go to t h e o f f i c e
and b r i n g i t back and save us a l l t i m e .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t . Go t o something e l s e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Thank you , Your Honor.
Q Now Mayor Thompson, under the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
s t r u c t u r e and o r g a n i z a t i o n o f the C i t y o f J a c k s o n i s t h e
p o l i c e department under t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e mayor and com
m i s s i o n e r s ?
A Every department i n t he C i t y i s under t h e d i r e c t
s u p e r v i s i o n o f the mayor and c o m m i s s i o n e r s , but each d e p a r t
ment f o r b e t t e r o p e r a t i o n i s broken down t o where a d e p a r t
ment head o r C h ie f o f P o l i c e i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n
The C h i e f o f P o l i c e and h i s s t a f f are r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c a r r y
i n g o u t t h e g e n e r a l o r d e r s o f the mayor and t h e c o m m i s s i o n e r s
Q And t he y are s u b j e c t to t h e s u p e r v i s i o n and c o n
t r o l o f t h e mayor and c o m m i s s i o n e r s . I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. Thompson, C r . 1 92 .
A Only , o n l y on the g e n e r a l p o l i c y , not t h e t e c h n i
c a l and d e t a i l e d o p e r a t i o n o f t he d e p a r t m e n t .
Q W e l l , now you were p r e s e n t i n t h e c o u r t room a
f ew minut es ago when C h i e f R a y f i e l d t e s t i f i e d . I s t h a t c o r
r e c t ?
A Yes .
Q Did you hear C h i e f R a y f i e l d t e s t i f y t h a t on or
a b o u t May 2 5 t h , 1963 he made a r ra ng e me nt s t o h o ld i n c u s t o d y
a l a r g e number o f p e o p l e l a r g e r than i s t han t he 230 odd
wh ich i s t he c a p a c i t y o f t h e c i t y j a i l ?
A Y e s .
Q Did you hear him so t e s t i f y ? Were you one o f the
p e o p l e t h a t he c o n s u l t e d i n a r r i v i n g at t h a t d e c i s i o n ?
A I was the one c o n s u l t i n g w i t h a group who h e l p e d
t o make a r r a n g e m e n t s . In o t h e r words i n a l l p r o b a b i l i t y , I
d o n ’ t know t he ex ac t d e t a i l s , you c a n ’ t say a n y t h i n g d e f i
n i t e , but I was t he one who brought up t h e i d e a b e c a u s e o f
t h e i n s i n u a t i o n s and i m p l i e d t h r e a t s t o my c i t y and what had
happened i n t he S t a t e o f Washington and New York and Los
A n g e l e s and Birmingham and N a s h v i l l e t h a t t h e r e was g o i n g to
be uh t h a t J ac kson was the next t a r g e t c i t y and t h a t t h e r e
c o u l d be f r om 5 to 1 0 , 00 0 p e o p l e marching i n t h e s t r e e t s and
v i o l a t i n g t h e law and so we thought t ha t we s h o u l d make p r o p e r
a r r a n g e m e n t s as we had done two y e a r s ago b e c a u s e we o f c o u r s e
A . T ho mp son, Cr . 193 .
d i d not know when t he so c a l l e d f r e e d o m r i d e r s came we d i d n ’ t
know how many we would have but t h e y had t o be t a k e n up to
t h e s t a t e p e n i t e n t i a r y . We t ho ug ht i t would be b e t t e r t o
have a rra ng e me nt s made here i f we had t h i s many law v i o l a t o r s
who were i n s i s t i n g in c r e a t i n g v i o l e n c e t o m a i n t a i n them
h e r e . Ther e had been t h r e a t s o f u s i n g young p e o p l e as t h e y
had us ed i n Birmingham and so we t o o k t h e s e two b u i l d i n g s
down on t he f a i r g r o u n d s which a r e v e r y v e r y f i n e b u i l d i n g s ,
we had one p rep ar ed f o r the f e m a l e , one f o r t h e m a l e . A l l
o f t h e t o i l e t f a c i l i t i e s and bath f a c i l i t i e s a r e i n s i d e , but
we made arrangement s at q u i t e a b i t o f c o s t to have showers
put o ut i n t he b a c k . When I went down t h e r e was a shower
h a l f o f i t t o be used f o r t he f e m a l e s and h a l f f o r t h e m a l e s .
I d i d n ’ t t h i n k t h a t was p r o p e r so we had one put f o r t h e
f e m a l e s and then o v e r on t he o t h e r s i d e one f o r t he m a l e s .
We made p r o v i s i o n s to have c o t s . A l l o f t h i s was done q u i t e
a b i t b e f o r e the a c t u a l i n v a s i o n by t h e s e p r e s s u r e g r o u p s so
as t o be r ea dy to maint ai n a p e a c e f u l way o f l i f e i n t h i s
c i t y . We had c o t s and b l a n k e t s and a l l kind o f p r o v i s i o n s .
We had f a c i l i t i e s t o f e e d t h e s e p e o p l e i f t h e y had, we have
f o u n d t h i s , that when t h e r e i s any t h r e a t o f v i o l e n c e t h a t
t h e g overnment department depends upon t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
t o m a i n t a i n law and o r d e r . We have g ua r a n t e e d them two y e a r s
ago t h a t we w o u ld . We t o l d them t h i s t ime t h a t we were a b l e
A. Thompson, C r . 1 94 .
t o m a i n t a i n any s o r t o f v i o l e n c e and t h i s was one o f the
p l a n s t h a t we worked out i n an e f f o r t to see t h a t we handled
i t o u r s e l v e s w i t h o u t t he n e c e s s i t y o f any armed f o r c e s hav ing
t o be se nt i n t o he l p us keep t h e p e a c e i n our c i t y .
Q Now when d i d you make t h e s e p l a n s ?
A I came back f rom Chicago I d o n ’ t know t he e x a c t
d a t e but I b e l i e v e t he t r o u b l e i n Birmingham was t he l a t t e r
p a r t o f May, what i s t h i s , t h i s i s J u ne , t he l a t t e r p a r t o f
say t he 10th or 11th o f May. The 13th o f May I b e l i e v e was
Monday. We came b ac k , my w i f e and I , went up t o s i g n b o n d s ,
I went up to s i g n bonds in Chicago and a l l t h e way up we
h ea rd t h e t r o u b l e about Birmingham w i t h 700 a r r e s t e d and
1 , 0 0 0 a r r e s t e d so we began making p l a n s a l l t h e way w r i t i n g
t h i n g s down and so I imagine i t was w i t h i n a day o r two a f t e r
I r e t u r n e d when I r e c e i v e d uh I b e l i e v e e v e r y b o d y i n J a c k s o n
r e c e i v e d t h e t e l e g r a m and l e t t e r e x c e p t me s a y i n g t h a t u n l e s s
c e r t a i n t h i n g s were done that t h e NACP and o t h e r p r e s s u r e
g r o u p s were g o i ng to t h e i n s i n u a t i o n were g o i n g t o make us
do i t and so we d e c i d e d t ha t i t was b e s t t o b e g i n our p l a n s
i m m e d i a t e l y so I would say p r o b a b l y t h e week b e g i n n i n g t h e
1 3 t h o f May. I cound be wrong on t h a t .
Q Now Mayor Thompson, you r e f e r r e d to New Y or k ,
W a s h i n g t o n , to Los A n g e l e s , to Brimingham i f I r e c a l l c o r r e c t l y .
Were you p r e s e n t i n any o f t h os e p l a c e s ?
A . Thomp so n, Cr . 195 .
A No, but as a —
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) W e l l , now j u s t a moment, Mayor
Thompson. I d o n ’ t l i k e to i n t e r r u p t you and I d i d not
i n t e r r u p t your l o n g statement but I wonder i f you would j u s t
answer my q u e s t i o n i f you p l e a s e .
A I would l i k e , Your Honor, t o e x p l a i n when I say
know where I got t he i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t —
BY THE COURT:
You may answer the q u e s t i o n and t he n make your
e x p l a n a t i o n .
A No, but I take p ap ers f rom a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y ,
l i s t e n t o r a d i o and t e l e v i s i o n and I read t h e s e ne wspa pers I
se e what i s happening i n t h e s e o t h e r c i t i e s and t r y i n g t o
p r o f i t by not t he mistakes o f o t h e r c i t i e s but by what i s
h a p p e n i n g i n o t h e r c i t i e s to keep t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n f rom
f a l l i n g i n t o the same mistakes or i n t o t he same t r o u b l e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mayor Thompson, were t h e r e i n c l u d e d i n your
p l a n s d i r e c t i o n s t o your p o l i c e department to p r e v e n t sma l l
g r o u p s f r o m p e a c e f u l l y p i c k e t i n g ?
A My i n s t r u c t i o n s to t he p o l i c e i f you w i l l l e t me
g i v e my i n s t r u c t i o n s to t he p o l i c e -----
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) W e l l , now-----
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) as n e ar , no , but l e t me g i v e , I mean
A . T homp son, Cr . 196 .
(T93)
w i l l say no and then l e t me g i v e my d i r e c t i n s t r u c t i o n s t o
t h e p o l i c e so t h a t —
BY THE COURT:
Just on t h a t s c o r e .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) on t h a t p a r t i c u l a r s c o r e .
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k i t s b e t t e r t o have q u e s t i o n s and a n s w e r s .
J u s t make i t as s hor t as you c a n , Mayor.
A Yes s i r . My i n s t r u c t i o n s t o t h e P o l i c e D e p a r t
ment a t t h i s p a r t i c u l a r t ime as has been i n t h e p a s t was to
p r e s e r v e t h e p e a c e , t o m aint ai n law and o r d e r , t o p r e v e n t
v i o l e n c e and to see t ha t t h e r e would be no i n t i m i d a t i o n
a g a i n s t b u s i n e s s e s o r p e r s o n s and t h a t t h e r e would be no un
l a w f u l a c t i o n s a u t h o r i z e d or a l l o w e d .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , a r e n ’ t t h o s e t he o r t h o d o x i n s t r u c t i o n s t o
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s g e n e r a l l y ?
A That i s my, t h o s e were my i n s t r u c t i o n s to t h e
P o l i c e Department .
Q Now did you o r d e r your P o l i c e Department t o put
i n t o e f f e c t a p o l i c y o f i n s t a n t a r r e s t o f n e g r o e s ?
A No .
Q Then i f your P o l i c e Department a r r e s t e d s i x p e r
s on s a 1 1 em p t i n g t o p i c k e t a s t o r e on C a p i t o l S t r e e t t h e y were
A. Thompson, C r . 1 97 .
not a c t i n g in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h y our i n s t r u c t i o n s , i s t h a t i t ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t to t h a t , i f i t p l e a s e t h e C o u r t . T h a t ’ s
a h y p o t h e t i c a l q u e s t i o n which d o e s n ’ t s t a t e a l l t h e f a c t s , t h e
n a t u r e o f t h e p i c k e t i n g , t h e p u r p o s e s o f t h e p i c k e t i n g would
a l l go i n t o whether o r not i t was o r was not w i t h i n t h e i n s t r u c
t i o n s o f t h e Mayor to t he P o l i c e Dep art men t .
BY THE COURT:
I t h i n k you would have t o s t a t e a f a i r h y p o t h e s i s
w h i ch w o u l d n ’ t be l i m i t e d t o j u s t what you s a i d t h e r e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , Your Honor, i f I may i n t h i s b e c a u s e we have
t a k e n Mayor Thompson out o f o r d e r i f I may r e f e r t o an a f f i
d a v i t on f i l e here I can s t a t e i t p r e c i s e l y i n t h e t e rms o f
t h e a f f i d a v i t and I t h i n k t h e Court w i l l f i n d t h a t my q u e s t i o n
wa s f a i r l y t h a t .
BY THE COURT :
Of c o u r s e your q u e s t i o n i s a v e r y h y p o t h e t i c a l
c o n t r o v e r s i a l t h i n g i n i t s e l f and I b e l i e v e you would j u s t
p r o b a b l y save t ime by j u s t l e t t i n g you go ahead and a s k the
q u e s t i o n and I w i l l l e t him answer i t j u s t l i k e he wants to
answer i t so I w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Would you read the q u e s t i o n b ac k to Mayor Thompson,
A . Thompson, C r . 198 .
Mr . R e p o r t e r ?
BY THE COURT:
T h a t ’ s s o r t o f what we a r e up h er e to t r y to f i n d
o u t j u s t t he b a s i s o f t h a t q u e s t i o n you a sked him.
BY THE REPORTER:
Then i f y our P o l i c e Department a r r e s t e d s i x p e r
sons a t t e m p t i n g t o p i c k e t a s t o r e on C a p i t o l S t r e e t t h e y were
not a c t i n g i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h your i n s t r u c t i o n s , i s t h a t i t ?
A Your Honor, I a p o l o g i z e f o r b e i n g so l o n g winded
and I w i l l t r y t o l i m i t my remarks j u s t as much as p o s s i b l e
but a q u e s t i o n l i k e t h a t would have to l e t me e x p l a i n b r i e f l y .
BY THE COURT:
Just answer i t , Mayor, and you d o n ’ t a s k argumen
t a t i v e q u e s t i o n s and he won ’ t make a r g u m e n t a t i v e a nsw ers
b e c a u s e we w i l l never g et t h r o u g h .
A I f the p o l i c e o f f i c e r b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e s e s i x
p e r s o n s were a c t i n g u n l a w f u l l y t h e y were a c t i n g w i t h i n t h e
s c o p e o f my i n s t r u c t i o n s t o a r r e s t them.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mayor Thompson, i n t he i n s t r u c t i o n s w h i ch you
gave t o your P o l i c e Department d i d you a l s o i n s t r u c t them
w i t h r e s p e c t to the r i g h t s o f i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h r e s p e c t to
f r e e d o m o f s p e e ch and f r e e d o m o f a s s e m b l y ?
A They need no i n s t r u c t i o n s on t h a t f r o m me a t t h i s
A . Thompson, Cr . 199.
t i m e b e c a u s e t h e y a r e f a m i l i a r w i t h them
Q W e l l , my q u e s t i o n was d i d you i n s t r u c t them?
A Not a t t h i s t i m e . A l t h o u g h I d i d i n s t r u c t them
a g a i n at t h i s t ime t o be sure t h a t as i n t h e p a s t t h a t no
more e f f o r t or f o r c e was t o be used than was a b s o l u t e l y n e c
e s s a r y t o m a i n t a i n law v i o l a t i o n s .
BY THE COURT :
Q To do what , Mayor?
A To m a i n t a i n law v i o l a t o r s . In o t h e r words to be
as d i g n i f i e d and as c a l m.
Q You mean to r e s t r a i n them?
A To r e s t r a i n them. We had t h e i d e a t h a t t h e young
p e o p l e were coming so t h a t t h e r e would not be a n y t h i n g t h a t
w ou l d uh i n o t h e r words n o t h i n g f u r t h e r t han t he a c t u a l
f o r c e t h a t was n e c e s s a r y t o t a k e them down i n t o c u s t o d y .
BY THE COURT:
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q but you d id p r o p o s e t o t a k e them i n t o c u s t o d y upon
them p r e s e n t i n g t h e m s e l v e s , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A I f the law o f f i c e r s b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e y were v i o
l a t i n g t h e l a w .
Q Now—
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Now t h a t was a p p l y i n g t o w h i t e and
A. Thompson, C r . 200 .
t o c o l o r e d .
Q W e l l , now d u r i n g the p e r i o d May 27 t o d a t e how
many w h i t e p e o p l e have been a r r e s t e d i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e
m a t t e r which i s t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r o f t h i s l a w s u i t ?
A I would not know e x a c t l y but w h a t e v e r r e c o r d
would show i t would p r o b a b l y r e f l e c t my a p p e a l i n g on t e l e
v i s i o n and r a d i o to t h e w h i t e p e o p l e t o s t a y home and t he
c o l o r e d p e o p l e t o s t a y home and t o keep t h e i r c h i l d r e n home.
Q In o t h e r words you d o n ’ t know how many w h i t e
p e o p l e , i f a n y , have been a r r e s t e d . I s t h a t r i g h t ?
A I d o n ’ t know t h e a c t u a l numbers .
Q Now I have here an a f f i d a v i t wh ich was handed me
t h i s m o r n i n g , Your Honor, but Mr. W a t k i n s , Mr. J . L. R ay , t he
Deputy C h i e f o f P o l i c e , I t ak e i t you know Mr. Ray, Major
Thompson, and i n Mr. Ray ’ s a f f i d a v i t and I q u o t e and I now
have r e f e r e n c e to t h a t q u e s t i o n t h a t I a s k e d you a b o u t t h e
a r r e s t o f s i x p e o p l e p i c k e t i n g and he s ay s and I q u o t e a
l a r g e crowd o f p e r s o n s had g a t h e r e d and t h e r e was much
o b j e c t i o n to t h e manner i n which t h e s i x p e r s o n s a b o v e men
t i o n e d were b l o c k i n g and o t h e r w i s e o b s t r u c t i n g t h e p u b l i c
s i d e w a l k d u r i n g the noon h o u r . Now i n y o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s to
t h e P o l i c e Department what i n s t r u c t i o n s d i d you g i v e them
w i t h r e s p e c t to t he matt er o f t h e r e a c t i o n s and r e l a t i o n s h i p s
o f what he d e s c r i b e s as a l a r g e crowd o f p e r s o n s who had
A. Thompson, C r . 201 .
g a t h e r e d who o b j e c t e d to what t h e s i x p e r s o n s were d o i n g ?
A I gave no s p e c i f i c i n s t r u c t i o n s . My work i s made
up o f g e n e r a l i n s t r u c t i o n s , f i n a n c e and sewer and g a r b a g e and
a l l o f t he o t h e r t h i n g s t h a t go i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h r u n ni ng
t h e c i t y and w i t h t he P o l i c e Department w i t h o f f i c e r s who a r e
a b l e t o i n t e r p r e t t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a t t h e p a r t i c u l a r
t i m e when t h e p a r t i c u l a r f a c t s a r i s e .
Q In o t h e r words you gave t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s no
i n s t r u c t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t t o t he s i t u a t i o n wh ich Deputy Ray
i s d e s c r i b i n g , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t . I t would be e x a c t l y as t houg h I
would i n s t r u c t e v e r y b o d y what t o do i n e v e r y d e pa r t m en t which
o f c o u r s e I c o u l d n ’ t d o , I am j u s t one p e r s o n .
Q But you d id i n s t r u c t them t o make a r r a n g e m e n t s to
t a k e i n t o c u s t o d y and to ho ld i n c u s t o d y a l a r g e number o f
p e o p l e ?
A Because o f t h e t h r e a t s and w o r r i e s t h a t I had o f
no t b e i n g a b l e t o m ai n t a i n our r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and h a v i n g
t h e f e d e r a l government t ake o v e r , y e s .
Q W e l l , d i d t h e p l a i n t i f f s make any t h r e a t s t o
y o u?
A P l a i n t i f f s , I d o n ’ t know a l l o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s . I
know t h a t we have d i s c u s s e d uh I see many o f them i n t h e
a u d i e n c e t h a t we have d i s c u s s e d a l l o f t h i s t h i n g and some o f
A . Thomp s o n , Cr . 202 .
t h e p r e a c h e r s here have s a i d t h a t t h e y do not know wh et her
t h e y can go back and keep t h e NACP o r may not say NACP,
Medger E ver s o r whoever i n v o l v e d t h e y d o n ’ t know w h et he r t h e y
w i l l be a b l e t o r e s t r a i n them b e c a u s e t h e young p e o p l e a r e
r a r i n g t o go or somet hing t o t h a t e f f e c t .
Q Now Mayor Thompson, t he p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e
a r e t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e Advancement o f C o l o r e d
P e o p l e , Roy W i l k i n s , Medger E v e r s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, R ev .
Ral ph Edwin King, D o r i s E r s k i n e and D o r i s A l l i s o n . Did any
o f t h o s e p e r s o n s make any t h r e a t s t o you?
A No t h r e a t s d i r e c t l y t o me o t h e r than j u s t as I
have s a i d t h e g e n e r a l l e t t e r s and t e l e g r a m s t h a t a r e s e n t .
T h i s f i n a l l y came to me on May t h e 1 2 t h , I d o n ’ t know when
i t r e a c h e d me, i t r e a c h e d e v e r y b o d y i n J a c k s o n b e f o r e i t go t
t o me, t h i s was f ro m Medger E v e r s , S e c r e t a r y NACP, n o t h i n g
t h r e a t e n i n g i n i t c o m p l e t e l y but i t s a i d t h e NAACP i s d e t e r
mined to put an end to a l l f orms o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n
J a c k s o n and - -
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) You have a c o p y ? I s t h a t t he
t e l e g r a m t h e r e ?
A T h i s i s not a t e l e g r a m , t h i s i s a l e t t e r .
Q Thi s i s a l e t t er .
A And t h i s c o u p l e d w i t h t h e remarks and w i t h what
had be en g o i n g on i n o t h e r c i t i e s was a c l e a r s t a t e m e n t t o me
A. Thompson, Cr . 203 .
t h a t n o t h i n g was g o i n g t o be s t o p p e d a t u n t i l t h e y f o r c e d
p e o p l e t o do as t h e y wanted t o do whether i t was l e g a l o r
whether i t was i l l e g a l .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Now, Your Honor , I wonder i f I might a s k Mayor
Thompson t o read t h e who le l e t t e r r a t h e r t ha n s t a t i n g h i s
c o n c l u s i o n s a bo ut i t .
BY THE COURT :
Y e s , you may read t he l e t t e r .
A T h i s i s t he f i r s t i n a s e r i e s o f l e t t e r s and t e l e
grams t h a t came to me. Dear S i r : The NAACP i s d e t e r m i n e d -----
Q What i s t h e d a t e o f i t ?
A Excuse me. May the 1 2 t h , 1 9 6 3 . The NAACP i s
d e t e r m i n e d t o put an end to a l l f orms o f r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n
i n J a c k s o n . T h i s means t h a t we want t o end t h e d i s c r i m i n a
t o r y p r a c t i c e s i n t he b u s i n e s s e s t h a t now do not g i v e f a i r
employment o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o c o l o r e d c i t i z e n s . We a l s o i n s i s t
t h a t s e g r e g a t i o n now p r a c t i c e d i n t h e r e s t rooms and r e s t a u
r a n t s and o t h e r f a c i l i t i e s o f t h e s e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s be e n d e d .
As t h e p a t r o n s who h e lp to make i t p o s s i b l e f o r t h e s e b u s i
n e s s e s t o c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e at a p r o f i t we know t h a t we
have t h e e c o n o m i c s t r e n g t h t o ba ck up our r e q u e s t s w i t h
e f f e c t i v e a c t i o n . A s e l e c t i v e b u y in g campaign i s a l r e a d y
under way. U n l es s we g et r e s u l t s t h r o u g h p e a c e f u l n e g o t i a t i o n s
A. Thompson, C r . 204 .
u n d e r t a k e n i n good f a i t h we have no a l t e r n a t i v e but to s t e p
up and b r o a de n our s e l e c t i v e b u y in g campaign to p r o d u c e t he
r e s u l t s t h a t w i l l make J a c k s o n a p l a c e o f f a i r p l a y f o r a l l
p e r s o n s w i t h o u t r e g a r d to r a c e . We a r e d e t e r m i n e d t o end
a l l s t a t e and l o c a l government s p o n s o r e d s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e
p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s , s c h o o l s , l i b r a r i e s and o t h e r p u b l i c
f a c i l i t i e s . To e s t a b l i s h t h i s we s h a l l use a l l l a w f u l means
o f p r o t e s t , p i c k e t i n g , m a r c h e s , mass m e e t i n g s , l i t i g a t i o n
and w h a t e v e r o t h e r l e g a l means we deem n e c e s s a r y . At t h i s
t i m e we wish t o l e t t h e c i t y , t h e s t a t e and t h e n a t i o n and
t h e w o r l d know t h a t we want to meet w i t h c i t y o f f i c i a l s and
community l e a d e r s t o make good f a i t h a t t e m p t s t o s e t t l e
g r i e v a n c e s and a s s u r e im me di at e f u l l c i t i z e n s h i p r i g h t s f o r
a l l A m e r i c a n s . We e a r n e s t l y hope t h a t t h o s e who have t he
b e s t i n t e r e s t o f the c i t y at h e a r t w i l l a c c e p t o ur o f f e r to
r e a c h a s p ee dy and o r d e r l y s e t t l e m e n t . We c a l l on P r e s i d e n t
John F . Kennedy and any o t h e r n a t i o n a l l e a d e r s who s h a re our
l o v e o f f r e e d o m t o use t h e i r good o f f i c e s i n h e l p i n g g e t
(T101) t h e s e d i s c u s s i o n s s t a r t e d . J a c k s o n NAACP B r a n c h e s , Medger
E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y , D o r i s A l l i s o n , P r e s i d e n t , John
S a u l t e r , A d v i s o r Youth C o u n c i l .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mayor Thompson, d id you r e p l y t o t h a t l e t t e r ?
A T h i s l e t t e r I d i d not r e p l y to as I remember . I
A. Thompson, C r . 205 .
was so busy a n s w e r i n g t e l e g r a m s f r o m Medger Ever s and some
f r i e n d s o f mine f o r the next two or t h r e e weeks s e n d i n g them
and a n s w e r i n g them. F i n a l l y we d i d have a m e e t i n g w i t h o u t
E ve rs p r e s e n t .
Q W e l l , now d i d you g e t any o t h e r c o m m u n i c a t i o n s
f r o m Medger Evers o r any o f t h e o t h e r p l a i n t i f f s ?
A I had a h o s t o f t e l e g r a m s and o f m e e t i n g s . These
a r e j u s t a f ew t h a t I ha ve , one o r two which I c o n s i d e r e d t he
most i m p o r t a n t j u s t t r y i n g t o keep down t h e , j u s t t w o , Your
Honor , j u s t t r y i n g t o keep down t h e t i m e .
Q I s any o f t h o s e t e l e g r a m s f r om Medger E v er s o r
any o f t h e o t h e r p l a i n t i f f s ?
A Yes . T h i s one was on May t h e 22nd.
Q W i l l you r e a d t h a t one f o r us?
A T h i s was Mayor, C i t y o f J a c k s o n . Negro c i t i z e n s
r e p r e s e n t i n g NAACP, M i n i s t e r i a l A s s o c i a t i o n , J a c k s o n C i t i z e n s
Commit tee f o r Human R i g h t s , s t u d e n t s and o t h e r s v o t e d a t
m e e t i n g May 21 on p e r s o n s c o n s i d e r e d b e s t s u i t e d t o r e p r e s e n t
n e g r o community i n any m e e t i n g s o r n e g o t i a t i o n s f o r change
i n p r a c t i c e s and t r e a t m e n t i n downtown b u s i n e s s . Monday ’ s
s w e e pi n g d e c i s i o n by Supreme Court g i v e s a d d i t i o n a l s u p p o r t
t o our l e g a l p o s i t i o n and r i g h t t o d e m o n s t r a t e p e a c e a b l y and
o t h e r w i s e p r o t e s t . We a r e f u l l y p r e p a r e d t o do t h i s i f
n e c e s s a r y . Such a s t e p as you know f r o m e x p e r i e n c e s o f o t h e r
A . T homp so n , Cr . 206 .
c o m m u n i t i e s harm l o c a l b u s i n e s s and would a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t
c i t y ’ s i m a g e . T h i s i s s i g n e d by I . S . S a n d e r s , E v e r s ,
Houg ht on , W h i t n e y , S mi t h , B r i t t o n , Brown, F r a n k l i n , S a u l t e r ,
Mays, Richmond, W i l l i a m s , P o o l e and Banks i n l i g h t o f Monday’ s
c o u r t r u l i n g urge you i m m e d i a t e l y c o n s u l t w i t h us a b o ut
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e b i - r a c i a l c o m m i t t e e t o b e g i n n e g o t i a t i o n s as
i n o t h e r p r o g r e s s i v e c i t i e s .
Q Mr. Mayor, p er ha ps i n a d v e r t e n t l y d i d n ’ t you omi t a
s e n t e n c e f o l l o w i n g p e r s o n s a r e c o n s i d e r e d f u l l y c a p a b l e .
A F o l l o w i n g p e r s o n s a r e c o n s i d e r e d f u l l y c a p a b l e o f
p r e s e n t i n g us at any d i s c u s s i o n s and then named t h o s e .
Q And t hen t h e r e was t h a t l i s t o f names?
A That * s r i g h t .
Q And t h e n t h e r e f o l l o w i n g i n l i g h t o f Monday’ s
c o u r t r u l i n g u rg e you i m m e d i a t e l y c o n s u l t w i t h us a bo ut
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e b i - r a c i a l c om m i t t e e t o b e g i n n e g o t i a t i o n s as
i n o t h e r p r o g r e s s i v e c i t i e s .
A S i gn ed by Medger E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y , NAACP .
Q Now w h a t ’ s the d a t e on t h a t one?
A That was May 2 7 t h .
Q By t h a t t i m e , h o w ev er , you had a l r e a d y made y o u r
(T103) a r r a n g e m e n t s had you not t o h o l d a l a r g e number o f p e o p l e i n
c u s t o d y ?
A Oh y e s , anybody who v i o l a t e d t h e l a w . T h i s was
A . Tho mp s o n , Cr . 207 .
j u s t one o f t h e s t e p s . You see t h e r e i s no need f o r me to
w a i t u n t i l s o me t hi ng a c t u a l l y h a p p e n s . S i n c e I have been
m a j o r we have t r i e d to a n t i c i p a t e t r o u b l e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Your Honor, may I have a moment t o show Mr.
Wa tk i ns t h e t r a n s c r i p t ?
BY THE COURT :
Yes s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Your Honor , r e t u r n i n g i f I may t o t h e m a t t e r o f
t h e i n q u i r i e s o f Mayor Thompson c o n c e r n i n g h i s t e s t i m o n y i n
B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n I have here a c o p y o f t he t r a n s c r i p t
and I have r e f e r e n c e f o r t h e r e c o r d to page 348 and f o l l o w i n g
and may t h e r e c o r d show t h a t I am ha nding t o Mayor Thompson
c o p y o f t h e t r a n s c t i p t c a l l i n g h i s a t t e n t i o n t o p a g e s 348 and
349 and a s k i n g him i f t h a t r e f r e s h e s h i s r e c o l l e c t i o n as t o
q u e s t i o n s asked and answers g i v e n i n h i s t e s t i m o n y i n B a i l e y
t
v s . P a t t e r s o n .
BY THE COURT :
T e l l him what q u e s t i o n s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Y es , I was j u s t a bo ut t o p o i n t out t h e q u e s t i o n s t o
him. I t s a t t h e t o p o f page 348 and t h e n t h e answer p r o c e e d s
on on page 348 and 3 49 .
A . Thompson, Cr . 208 .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t , you may rea d i t .
A In t h i s as I say I do say t h i s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , my q u e s t i o n , Mr. Mayor , j u s t f o r t h e r e c o r d
d o e s t h a t r e f r e s h your r e c o l l e c t i o n a bout t h e q u e s t i o n s a s ked
and t h e answers g i v e n ?
A That ’ s r i g h t .
Q Now may I have t h a t ?
A I would l i k e to read t h i s to Your Honor .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , now j u s t a moment, Mayor Thomspon. I w i l l
a s k t h e q u e s t i o n s , Your Honor, w h ic h w i l l g i v e him an o p p o r
t u n i t y t o answer what he a n s w e r e d .
BY THE COURT :
T h a t ’ s r i g h t . I t s not i n the r e c o r d y e t and you
can re ad a q u e s t i o n you want him to g i v e you some r e s p o n s e
t o b e c a u s e t h a t ’ s not i n t h i s r e c o r d and when you put i t i n
t h e r e he may make any a d d i t i o n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n he may w i s h
t o make .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Were you asked t h e q u e s t i o n s t a t e y o u r u n d e r -
209 .A. Thompson, Cr .
s t a n d i n g o f t he r a c i a l p o l i c y i n the C i t y o f J a c k s o n w i th
r e s p e c t t o t r a n s p o r t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
Were you asked t h a t q u e s t i o n ?
A I b e l i e v e I was . Let me have t h a t t o r e f r e s h my
memo r y .
BY THE COURT :
C o u n s e l , I b e l i e v e you a r e g e t t i n g so f a r a f i e l d ,
we a r e n ’ t g o i n g t o t r y B a i l e y v s . somebody a g a i n . I t h i n k
we b e t t e r g et back on the t r a c k . We a r e not c o n c e r n e d as I
u n d e r s t a n d and I have read t h i s Count One v e r y c a r e f u l l y and
t h e r e i s n o t h i n g in t h e r e a bout t r a n s p o r t a t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
No s i r , Your Honor, but t h e Mayor has t e s t i f i e d
w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e s t a t u t e a bout which I i n q u i r e d w h ic h i s
r e l e v a n t .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t , l e t him a n s w e r . L e t ’ s j u s t s t a y on
t h e t r a c k . We c a n ’ t t r y t h i s l a w s u i t and t r y s om e t h i ng e l s e
a t t h e same t i m e .
A The q u e s t i o n was asked me a b o ut my u n d e r s t a n d i n g
o f t h e r a c i a l p o l i c y o f the C i t y o f J a ck s o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s . My u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t he r a c i a l
p o l i c y o f t h e C i t y o f Jackson w i t h r e s p e c t to p u b l i c t r a n s
p o r t a t i o n as ment ioned I have been mayor f o r o v e r t w e l v e and
A. Thompson, Cr . 210 .
a h a l f y e a r s o f a c i t y o f around 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 and f o r a w h i l e
a l m o s t h a l f c o l o r e d and h a l f w h i t e . At the p r e s e n t t ime t h a t
r a t r o i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 65 to 3 5 $ . I t has been t h e p o l i c y o f
mine as c h i e f law e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r and t h e members o f the
c i t y c o u n c i l and t h e p o l i c e d e pa r t m en t and t h e p e o p l e o f
J a c k s o n to m ai n t a i n what has worked o v e r t h e l a s t hundred
y e a r s t o b r i n g h a p p i n e s s and p e a c e and p r o s p e r i t y t o e v e r y o n e
w i t h i n our c i t y . That has been done by a s e p a r a t i o n o f t he
r a c e s , not s e g r e g a t i o n . We ne v er r e f e r t o i t as s e g r e g a t i o n .
T he r e i s o f c o u r s e as you know and I know a s t a t e law upon
w h i c h t h e c i t y o r d i n a n c e was p a t t e r n e d i n 1956 w i t h t h e p r e
amble put i n as o u r s showing why t o m a i n t a i n p e a c e and o r d e r
and t o keep down d i s t u r b a n c e s . At t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t ime as I
remember I was c o n f r o n t e d as I b e l i e v e w i t h t h e s t a t u t e . I t
was not i m p o r t a n t enough f o r me t o even remember , Your Honor ,
and t h a t i s as I s a i d c e r t a i n l y a s t a t u t e but we have n e v e r
go ne by i t and so t h a t i s t h e o n l y e x p l a n a t i o n t h a t I have
f o r f o r g e t t i n g i t a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q But when you t e s t i f i e d i n B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n __
BY THE COURT:
You have an o b j e c t i o n , Mr. Wa tk i ns ?
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) S i n c e I have been mayor I do not
r e c a l l one i n c i d e n t —
A . Tho mpson, Cr. 211 .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
J us t a m i n u t e . Your Honor, I want t o o b j e c t to
f u r t h e r t e s t i m o n y w i t h r e f e r e n c e to B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n .
In t h a t c a s e d e a l i n g w i t h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s t h e r e
was a c i t y o r d i n a n c e which p u r p o r t e d t o d e a l w i t h t h a t su b
j e c t m a t t e r . There i s no such o r d i n a n c e i n t h i s c a s e and we
a r e not i n v o l v e d w i th t h a t p a r t i c u l a r c i t y o r d i n a n c e a t a l l .
I d o n ’ t t h i n k t h a t h i s t e s t i m o n y w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e »56
a c t o r t h e c i t y o r d i n a n c e i n t h e B a i l e y c a s e has a n y t h i n g to
do w i t h t he i s s u e s now b e f o r e t he C o u r t .
BY THE COURT:
I w i l l c a l l c o u n s e l ’ s a t t e n t i o n to t h e f a c t t h a t
t h e s u b j e c t ma tt er o f t h a t B a i l e y c a s e has b een l o n g s i n c e
s e t t l e d and i t s not open t o d i s c u s s i o n and c e r t a i n l y no t open
t o any c o n s i d e r a t i o n anywhere and I d o n ’ t u n d e r s t a n d i t t o be
i n v o l v e d d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y . I se e v e r y l i t t l e use i n
p u r s u i n g i t but I am g o i n g t o r e c o g n i z e t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s
w i t n e s s i s on c r o s s e x a m i n a t i o n . You may p r o c e e d .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
May I p o i n t o u t , Your Honor , i f I may t h a t the
p u r p o s e o f t h e i n q u i r i e s by r e f e r e n c e t o B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n
i s t o i n q u i r e as I s hou ld l i k e t o do o f Mayor Thompson i f he
was t a l k i n g i n B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n a bo ut S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 to
w h i c h I c a l l e d h i s a t t e n t i o n .
A. Thompson, C r . 212 .
BY THE COURT:
T h a t ’ s t he r e a s o n I am l e t t i n g you p r o c e e d , I
r e a l i z e t h a t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now when you t e s t i f i e d i n B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n
and you have j u s t read y o ur t e s t i m o n y . I s t h a t c o r r e c t ,
Mayor Thompson?
A That ’ s r i g h t .
Q You were t a l k i n g were you not a b o u t t h e s t a t u t e
w h i ch i s here i d e n t i f i e d as S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 o f t h e M i s s i s s i p p i
C o de , i s n ’ t t h a t r i g h t ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l you t he names and t h e p o i n t s .
They were p r e s e n t e d t o me and s p e c i f i c a l l y a s k e d shown t o me
a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i m e . I f you had shown me t h a t s t a t u t e I
would say y e s , t h a t ’ s a s t a t u t e . T h a t ’ s what was shown t o
me b e f o r e and I would say t h a t ’ s i t but I c a n ’ t remember a l l
t h e s t a t u t e s t h a t I read even when I was a l a w y e r .
Q W e l l , Your Honor, I c a l l t h e w i t n e s s ’ a t t e n t i o n t o
t h e f a c t t h a t I showed him at t h e o u t s e t o f h i s e x a m i n a t i o n
S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3 o f t h e M i s s i s s i p p i Code and I i n q u i r e d o f you
i f you knew t h a t t h a t s t a t u t e e x i s t e d and i f I u n d e r s t a n d
u n d e r s t o o d you you s a i d you d i d n ’ t . I s t h a t r i g h t , Mayor
Thompson?
A I d o n ’ t remember. I remember i t when you showed
A. Thompson, C r . 213
i t to me at t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i m e . I p r a c t i c e d law f o r many
y e a r s and I have n e v e r been a b l e to remember a l l t h e s t a t u t e s
t h a t I have s t u d i e d f o r any p a r t i c u l a r c a s e and t h a t ’ s t h e
same way as a mayor I c a n ’ t remember a l l o f t h e d i f f e r e n t
s t a t u t e s a l l o f t h e d i f f e r e n t t h i n g s t h a t come u p . C e r t a i n l y
t h a t ’ s a s t a t u t e , i t s on t h e b o o k s , you have shown i t t o me
but t h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o me i s t h a t we have n o t gone anyway
w h a t s o e v e r by t h a t . We have gone on a v o l u n t a r y s e p a r a t i o n
i n t h e c i t y . The q u e s t i o n i s n o t w h et he r I have f o r g o t t e n t h e
s t a t u t e but how we o p e r a t e .
Q W e l l , now Mayor Thompson, when you t e s t i f i e d i n
B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n you were t a l k i n g a b o u t S e c t i o n 4 0 6 5 . 3
w e r e n ’ t you?
A I w o u l d n ’ t have any i d e a what number I was t a l k i n g
a b o u t b e c a u s e I d o n ’ t remember t h e s t a t u t e numbers .
Q Now w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h i s v o l u n t a r y s e p a r a t i o n o f
y o u r s was t h a t what was b e i n g r e f e r r e d t o so f a r as you r ea d
i n t h e l e t t e r and t e l e g r a m f r o m Medger E ve r s t h a t you r ea d to
us t h i s morning?
A I d o n ’ t know. I d o n ’ t e x a c t l y u n d e r s t a n d h i s
q u e s t i o n , Your Honor.
BY THE COURT:
R e s t a t e i t , c o u n s e l .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
214 .A. Thompson, C r .
Q W e l l , may I have t he l e t t e r which you r e a d . I
q u o t e , Your Honor, f o r the w i t n e s s so as t o e l u c i d a t e my
q u e s t i o n . We a r e d e t e r m i n e d t o end a l l s t a t e and l o c a l
government s p o n s o r e d s e g r e g a t i o n i n the p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s ,
s c h o o l s , l i b r a r i e s and o t h e r p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t t o t h a t i f i t p l e a s e Your Honor . We
c o n t i n u e to l i t i g a t e w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s
and p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s which a r e no t i n v o l v e d i n t h i s c a s e .
BY THE COURT:
I w i l l s u s t a i n t he o b j e c t i o n . Had you f i n i s h e d
y o u r q u e s t i o n ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
No, I had not .
BY THE COURT:
Excuse me. Go ahead and f i n i s h y o u r q u e s t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
My q u e s t i o n , Mr. Mayor , i s w h et he r o r no t t h a t
was a r e f e r e n c e t o what you he re c a l l v o l u n t a r y s e p a r a t i o n
o f t h e r a c e s ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Now I o b j e c t , Your Honor , t o q u e s t i o n s w i t h r e f e r
e n c e t o p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s and o t h e r p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s no t
i n v o l v e d i n t h i s c a s e .
A . Tho mp so n , Cr 215 .
BY THE COURT :
We a r e t a k i n g a w i t n e s s out o f o r d e r and he i s on
c r o s s e x a m i n a t i o n as an a d v e r s e w i t n e s s and f o r t h a t r e a s o n I
w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Thank y o u , Your Honor .
A The w ho le t e n o r o f t h i s l e t t e r to me and t h e way
o f c o u r s e I have t o i n t e r p r e t i t i s t h a t I was b e i n g c a l l e d
on t o do somet hing t h a t to my mind would have been i l l e g a l
and would have been c o n t r a r y t o our p o l i c y i n d e a l i n g w i t h
t h e r a c i a l s i t u a t i o n and w i t h t h e b u s i n e s s m e n . T h i s s a i d t h a t
u n l e s s t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n t h a t I had t o make on i t , Your
Honor , was t h a t i f I d i d not make t h e me rc ha nt s go ahead and
do what t h e s e p r e s s u r e g roup s were demanding t h a t t h e y would
c o n t i n u e a s e l e c t e d t h e y c a l l i t a s e l e c t i v e b u y i n g t h i n g but
f o r a y e a r and a h a l f t h e y had had a b o y c o t t —
BY THE COURT:
Do you want t o o b j e c t t o s om e t h i n g ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
No, I want to d i r e c t t h e w i t n e s s t o my q u e s t i o n
w h ic h as t h e Court w i l l r e c a l l t h e s e n t e n c e w h i ch I r ea d him
d e a l t w h o l l y w i th p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s , s c h o o l s , l i b r a r i e s and
o t h e r p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s and I wanted t o d i r e c t t he Ma yo r ’ s
a t t e n t i o n t o t h a t so t h a t h i s answer wo ul d be r e s p o n s i v e t o
A. Thompson, C r . 216 .
my q u e s t i o n .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t . A d d re ss y our answer t o h i s q u e s t i o n .
A To o n l y t h e p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s and p u b l i c f a c i l i
t i e s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
I f i t p l e a s e the C o u r t , may I s t a t e a n o t h e r o b j e c
t i o n . He i s a s k i n g t h i s w i t n e s s to i n t e r p r e t what t he w r i t e r
(T112) o f t h a t l e t t e r meant by t h a t s e n t e n c e f o r a c o n c l u s i o n . T h is
l e t t e r speaks f o r i t s e l f .
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k i t d o e s . I am a l l o w i n g a w i d e l a t i t u d e
b e c a u s e o f t h e p r o c e d u r e we a r e f o l l o w i n g . I d o n ’ t see t h e
r e l e v a n c y o f i t . I d o n ’ t t h i n k i t s t h e m a yo r ’ s b u s i n e s s
a b o u t what somebody on C a p i t o l S t r e e t d i d but what somebody
d i d a t t h e p ar k s i s v e r y w e l l h i s b u s i n e s s so t h a t l e t t e r i s
a l l mixed up i n a who le l o t o f d i f f e r e n t t h i n g s . I am g o i n g
t o t a k e t h a t i n t o a c c o u n t . I am not t h e l e a s t b i t i m p r e s s e d
a b o u t what t h e mayor t h ou gh t or what he s a i d o r Medger Evers
d i d o r d i d n ’ t do w i t h r e s p e c t t o p ar k s and p l a y g r o u n d s . We
a r e n o t t r y i n g t h a t h e r e .
May I p o i n t o u t , Your Honor , t h a t t h e Mayor here
BY ATTORNEY MING:
A . Thompson, C r . 217 .
has t e s t i f i e d as t o h i s f e a r s and when he was a s ke d what t h e
b a s i s f o r them was he p r o d u c e d t h i s l e t t e r and t h e t e l e g r a m
and I am now g o i n g i n t o i t i n o r d e r to show t o t h e Court t h a t
t h o s e f e a r s were g r o u n d l e s s , t h a t t h e r e q u e s t s w h i ch were
b e i n g made o f him were r e a s o n a b l e , t h a t t h e y were c o u n ch e d
w h o l l y i n l a w f u l terms and t h a t t he s t e p s and t h a t t h e a c t i o n
wh ich t h e c i t y o f f i c i a l s t o o k and a b o u t w h i c h we c o m p l a i n t
a b o u t which t h e p l a i n t i f f s c o m p l a i n were not e i t h e r c o n s i s t e n t
e i t h e r w i t h t h e Mayor ’ s own v i e w o f t he s i t u a t i o n o r t he
a c t u a l s i t u a t i o n and under t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s I r e s p e c t f u l l y
( T1 1 3) s u b m i t , Your Honor, t h e Ma yo r ’ s r e a d i n g o f a l e t t e r meaning
by t h a t how Mayor A l l e n Thompson rea d a l e t t e r becomes r e l e
v ant t o t h e q u e s t i o n o f what t h e c i t y o f f i c i a l s d i d , t h i s
b e i n g t h e p r i n c i p a l e x e c u t i v e o f t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
BY THE COURT :
I s t i l l d o n ’ t see t h a t i t makes much d i f f e r e n c e
a b o u t what t h e c i t y d i d i n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c a s e when t h e y
w a s n ’ t d e a l i n g w i t h a n y t h i n g t h a t had any r e l a t i o n d i r e c t l y
o r i n d i r e c t l y w i t h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o r p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s or
p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s o r p l a y g r o u n d s o r p a r k s . I am l e t t i n g you
do t h a t o n l y f o r impeachment p u r p o s e s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Thank y o u , Your Honor .
Q You u n d e r s t a n d the q u e s t i o n , Mayor Thompson? Your
218 .A. Thompson, C r .
a t t e n t i o n i s d i r e c t e d to t h a t s e n t e n c e w h i ch I have shown to
you w i t h r e s p e c t t o p a r k s , l i b r a r i e s and p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s
and t h e q u e s t i o n t h a t I have o f you i s w h e th e r o r not i n c o n
n e c t i o n w i t h t h o s e f a c i l i t i e s on t h e d a t e o f t h a t l e t t e r t h e r e
was not r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A R a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n . W e l l , now you a r e a s k i n g me to
e x p l a i n t he p ar k s and r e c r e a t i o n . That had been s e t t l e d i n
l a w s u i t s which we have had o v e r t h e l a s t two y e a r s as I had
e x p l a i n e d , p a r k s , r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s , l i b r a r i e s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Your Honor, t h e c a s e o f C l a r k v s . Thompson w h i ch
has been d e c i d e d by t h i s C ourt and a f f i r m e d by t h e Court o f
A p p e a l s s e t t l e d t he p a r k s , p l a y g r o u n d s and l i b r a r i e s . The
c a s e o f B a i l e y v s . P a t t e r s o n w h i ch has been f r om a Three
Judge Court t o t h e Supreme Court o f t he U n i t e d S t a t e s b a ck
t o t h i s Court and i s now on a p p e a l t o t h e F i f t h C i r c u i t s e t
t l e d t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i s s u e s . None o f t h o s e i s s u e s a r e
r a i s e d by t h e p l e a d i n g s i n t h i s c a s e . He i s now a s k i n g t h e
Mayor f o r a l e g a l c o n c l u s i o n as t o what t h e l e g a l s i t u a t i o n
was on par ks and p l a y g r o u n d s .
BY THE COURT :
I d o n ’ t see t he m a t e r i a l i t y o f i t -----
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) May I p o i n t o u t —
BY ATTORNEY MING:
A. Thompson, C r . 219 .
BY T HE COURT :
( C o n t i n u i n g ) I know what y our p o i n t i s . We a r e
h a v in g t o o much argument h e r e . Ask him s o m e t h i n g e l s e . F ind
o ut a b o ut t h i s p i c k e t i n g we a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h i n t h i s c a s e
w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s . L e t ’ s l e t y o u r e x a m i n a t i o n
d w e l l on t h a t , t h a t ’ s what I am i n t e r e s t e d i n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , now Mayor Thompson, d i d you g e t o t h e r t han
t h e l e t t e r and t he t e l e g r a m which you have r ea d t o us wh ich
was s i g n e d by Mr. Evers and Mrs . A l l i s o n and one John S a u l t e r
a n d , Your Honor , Mr. Evers and Mrs. A l l i s o n a r e two o f t h e
p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e d i d you g e t any t h r e a t s f r om e i t h e r
Mr. E ver s o r Mrs. A l l i s o n o r any o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s ?
A I n e v er r e c e i v e d any p e r s o n a l t h r e a t s , n o .
Q W e l l , now d i d you e v e r answer Mr. E v e r s ’ and Mrs .
A l l i s o n t h a t t h e r e wasn ’ t any s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e p a r k s , p l a y
g r o u n d s , s c h o o l s and so on?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t t o t h a t , Your Honor . We s t i l l keep
g o i n g i n t o t h e i s s u e o f parks and p l a y g r o u n d s .
BY THE COURT :
S u s t a i n t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now d i d you e v er i n f o r m t h e p l a i n t i f f s E ver s and
A* Thompson, C r . 22
Mrs . A l l i s o n or any o f t h e o t h e r p l a i n t i f f s t h a t you would
use t h e P o l i c e Department o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n t o p r e v e n t
them f r om p r o t e s t i n g a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n ?
A No .
Q Did you e v e r answer t h e l e t t e r o f May 1 2 t h , 1963
a t a l l ?
A Only i n d i r e c t l y by I b e l i e v e t e l e p h o n i n g and s a y
i n g t h a t I would not d i s c u s s a n y t h i n g w i t h t h e NAACP and l i k e
p r e s s u r e g ro u p s but t h a t I would be i n t e r e s t e d and would
a l w a y s have my o f f i c e open t o l e a d i n g c o l o r e d c i t i z e n s who
a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n d o i n g w h a t ’ s b e s t f o r t h e i r p e o p l e i n s t e a d
o f a g i t a t i n g them and b r i n g i n g on v i o l e n c e .
Q And o f c o u r s e when you made t h a t s t a t ement t h a t was
b as ed on t h e judgment o f Mayor Thompson. I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t . T h a t ’ s t h e way I have had t o run my
run t h i s c i t y i n my way w i t h t h e h e l p o f o t h e r p e o p l e f o r
f o u r t e e n and a h a l f y e a r s .
Q Now when you g o t t o t h e m a t t e r o f p i c k e t i n g on
C a p i t o l S t r e e t -----
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Bear i n mind, Your Honor , I am not
g o i n g i n t o my d i s c u s s i o n s b e c a u s e you have a sked me not to
b e c a u s e t h e r e a r e a l o t o f d i f f e r e n t l i t t l e t h i n g s t h a t come
up l i k e p e o p l e g o i n g i n t o neg ro homes w h i c h I c o u l d n ’ t even
t e l l who t h e y were and s a y i n g i f you d o n ’ t b o y c o t t t h i s p l a c e ,
A. Thompson, C r . 221.
i n o t h e r words t he t h i n g s t h a t have made me i n s i d e know—
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Your Honor, I r e s p e c t f u l l y must o b j e c t t o t he
s p e e c h .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t . Answer t h e q u e s t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mayor Thompson, w i t h r e s p e c t to t h e m a t t e r o f
p i c k e t i n g ; d id you have any d i s c u s s i o n w i t h t h e C h i e f o f
P o l i c e c o n c e r n i n g t h e a r r e s t by t he p o l i c e o f n e g r o e s and
o t h e r p e o p l e who were e n d e a v o r i n g to p i c k e t ?
A I might have used o v e r t h e y e a r s t h e word p i c k e t
i n g but t h e more I become i n v o l v e d i n t h i s t h e l e s s I t h i n k
o f t h e t er m p i c k e t i n g as I do an u n l a w f u l c o n g r e g a t i n g and
i n t i m i d a t i n g and t r y i n g t o keep m e rc ha nt s as uh f r o m d o i n g
( T i l ? ) t h e i r b u s i n e s s as i n t h i s t e l e g r a m s a y s -----
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) W e l l , now my q u e s t i o n , Your Honor ,
was s p e c i f i c . I asked him i f he c o n f e r r e d w i t h t h e p o l i c e
o f f i c i a l s a b o ut a r r e s t i n g p e o p l e f r o m p i c k e t i n g ?
A Not as to p i c k e t i n g a l o n e but as t o u n l a w f u l
a c t i o n s which might be c a l l e d p i c k e t i n g i n o t h e r p l a c e s and
w h i ch p r o b a b l y has b ee n c a l l e d by me i n t h e p a s t p i c k e t i n g .
Q Now you a r e a l awy er a r e n ’ t y o u , Mayor Thompson?
A I h a v e n ’ t p r a c t i c e d law i n f i f t e e n y e a r s but I am
A. Thompson, Cr . 222 .
a l a w y e r , was a l a w y e r .
Q You a r e a member o f t h e bar o f M i s s i s s i p p i ?
A I pay my d u e s .
Q And you have been f o r a good many y e a r s ?
A Many y e a r s . I am not much l a w y e r t h o u g h .
BY THE MARSHAL:
L e t ’ s have o r d e r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mayor Thompson, w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e m a t t e r o f
a r r e s t i n g p i c k e t s d i d you d i r e c t t h e p o l i c e to a r r e s t them
i m m e d i a t e l y ?
A As I r e h a s h what I s a i d I have t o l e a v e t h a t ,
Your Honor , w i t h i n t he d i s c r e t i o n o f my a r r e s t i n g o f f i c e r s
t o m a i n t a i n law and o r d e r , t o keep down v i o l a t i o n s , t o keep
p e o p l e f r om c a u s i n g v i o l e n c e and to m a i n t a i n p e a c e .
BY THE COURT :
Q So y o ur answer i s no?
A No .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q As a m a t t e r o f f a c t l a s t week , Mayor Thompson,
d i d n ’ t you t e l l a group o f newspaper men t h a t o f f i c i a l s f r om
o t h e r c i t i e s had come t o J a c k s o n t o i n s p e c t and r e v i e w y o u r
p r a c t i c e o f i n s t a n t a r r e s t o f d e m o n s t r a t o r s ?
A I d o n ’ t remember t e l l i n g t h a t but I t a l k so much
A. Thompson, C r . 223 .
I c o u l d have s l i p p e d t h a t i n somewhere , however t h e i n s t a n t
a r r e s t i s not j u s t t o a r r e s t somebody j u s t t o be a r r e s t i n g
t hem. I t s based on t h e o f f i c e r s ’ k n owl ed ge knowing t h a t
t h e r e w i l l be t r o u b l e and t h a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n i s
b r e a k i n g t h e l aw.
Q W e l l , now when you say t h e r e w i l l be t r o u b l e and
y o ur a t t e n t i o n a g a i n t o p i c k e t i n g on C a p i t o l S t r e e t
on May 2 9 , 1963 a t a b o u t 3 : 3 0 P .M. when you say t r o u b l e do
you mean t r o u b l e f r o m t h e p i c k e t s o r t r o u b l e f r o m t h e s u r
r o u n d i n g mob?
A I d o n ’ t know whe ther I s a i d t h e r e was g o i n g t o be
t r o u b l e . The P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s a i d t h e r e was
g o i n g t o be t r o u b l e and r a c e v i o l e n c e and e v e r y t h i n g l i k e
t h a t and we m a i n t a i n law and o r d e r and t h a t ’ s what we were
t r y i n g to do to a n t i c i p a t e any t r o u b l e w h i ch t h e P r e s i d e n t
s a i d i s g o i n g t o b r e a k out a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y .
Q But you s a i d here i n t h e v e r y s e n t e n c e i m m e d i a t e l y
p r i o r t o my q u e s t i o n you s a i d you wer e h a v i n g y o u r o f f i c e r s
a c t t o a v o i d t r o u b l e and my q u e s t i o n o f you i s i s i t t r o u b l e
f r o m t h e p i c k e t s o r i s i t t r o u b l e f r o m t h e s u r r o u n d i n g mob?
A The t r o u b l e would be a t r o u b l e t h a t o ur p o l i c e
f o r c e wou ld have t o d e c i d e t h a t t h e y c o u l d h a n d l e . We were
no t a b l e l i k e i n s t e a d o f s e n d i n g G o v e r n o r W a l l a c e to Washing
t o n t o a p p e a r on Meet The P r e s s b e c a u s e t h e y d i d n ’ t have
A. Thompson, C r . 224 .
enough f o r c e s to p r o t e c t him t h e y sent him t o New York so
t h e y c o u l d p r o t e c t him.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , now, Your Honor , I move t h a t t h a t be s t r i c k e n .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) We t r i e d to have a —
BY ATTORNEY MING:
J u s t a m i nu t e , Mayor Thompson.
BY THE COURT :
I b e l i e v e i t i s not r e s p o n s i v e . J u s t answer t he
que s t i o n .
A The p o i n t I am making i s t h a t we t r i e d to a n t i c i
p a t e any v i o l e n c e and i f we had gone a l o n g and l e t t h e NAACP
and o t h e r p r e s s u r e g r o u p s , j u s t a m i n u t e , l e a d t h e s e f o u r o r
f i v e h undr ed-----
BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Now j u s t a moment, Your Honor .
J u s t a m i n u t e , Mayor Thompson. My q u e s t i o n was a s i m p l e o n e .
(T120) When he s a i d t r o u b l e d i d he mean t r o u b l e f r o m t h e p i c k e t s o r
f r o m t h e s u r r o u n d i n g mob and I i n s i s t , Your Honor , t h a t i s a
s i m p l e q u e s t i o n and I a sk t h e w i t n e s s answer i t .
BY THE COURT:
Y e s , I t h i n k you oug ht t o g i v e him an answer to
t h a t , Mr. Mayor , and y o u r a t t o r n e y s can b r i n g o u t a n y t h i n g
t h a t you want b r o u g h t o u t .
A. Thompson, C r . 225 .
A I t s a m a t t e r t h a t I would not know a n y t h i n g a b o u t .
The o f f i c e r a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i me f rom t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r
f a c t s had t o be t h e j u d g e a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i m e . I gave no
s p e c i f i c o r d e r s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q O b v i o u s l y , Mr. Mayor , i t would be e a s i e r p h y s i c a l l y
t o a r r e s t s i x p i c k e t s t han a mob o f s e v e r a l hundred p e o p l e
w o u l d n ’ t i t ?
A I d o n ’ t know what you mean by p i c k e t s . I f you mean
somebody who i s t r y i n g t o keep a p e r s o n f r o m o p e r a t i n g h i s
b u s i n e s s t h a t p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n i s v i o l a t i n g t h e law and
s h o u l d be a r r e s t e d .
Q W e l l , now, Mr. Mayor , by p i c k e t s so t h e r e wo n ’ t be
any c o n f u s i o n be tween us I mean a man who i s t h e p l a i n t i f f i n
t h i s l a w s u i t , Medger E v e r s , w a l k i n g down C a p i t o l S t r e e t w i t h
a c a r d b o a r d s i g n hung on a s t r i n g around h i s n e ck wh ich says
end b r u t a l i t y i n J a c k s o n . T h a t ’ s what I mean by a p i c k e t and
i t would be e a s i e r t o a r r e s t s i x such p e o p l e t h a n t o a r r e s t a
( T l 2 l ) mob o f s e v e r a l hundred p e o p l e w o u l d n ’ t i t ?
A I f t h a t p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n was b e l i e v e d t o have
b e e n v i o l a t i n g t h e law he s h o u l d have b een a r r e s t e d b e c a u s e
I d o n ’ t b e l i e v e t h e w h i t e o r c o l o r e d p e o p l e would have a r o u s e d
a mob i f we wer e p r o t e c t i n g t h e c i t y f r o m v i o l a t o r s but what
t h e s e o t h e r s wer e t r y i n g t o do was t a k e o v e r t h e law t h e m s e l v e s
A. Thompson, Cr 226 .
and t o i n t i m i d a t e p e o p l e .
Q And now, Mr. Mayor , a c c o r d i n g t o y o u r Deputy C h i e f
o f P o l i c e and I am now a g a i n , Your Honor , b a c k on May 29 ,
1963 a t a b o u t 1 2 : 1 5 P . M . , a l a r g e crowd o f p e r s o n s had g a t h e r
ed and t h e r e was much o b j e c t i o n t o t h e manner i n w h i ch t h e
s i x p e r s o n s a b o v e m e n t i o n e d , t h e s e b e i n g one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s
two o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s , and f o u r o t h e r p e o p l e were b l o c k i n g and
o t h e r w i s e o b s t r u c t i n g a p u b l i c s i d e w a l k d u r i n g t h e noon h o u r .
Now under t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s i t would be e a s i e r t o a r r e s t
t h e s i x tha n t o d e a l w i t h t h e l a r g e crowd o f p e r s o n s , i s t h a t
r i g h t , Mayor Thompson?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
May i t p l e a s e t h e C o u r t , we o b j e c t t o wh et he r i t
wou ld have be en e a s i e r t o a r r e s t one group o r t h e o t h e r .
T h a t ’ s i m m a t e r i a l . The q u e s t i o n i s , who, i f a n y o n e , was v i o
l a t i n g t h e law a t t h a t moment.
BY THE COURT:
I t h i n k s o . T h a t ’ s an a r g u m e n t a t i v e q u e s t i o n , coun
s e l , and you can e x p e c t an a r g u m e n t a t i v e a n s w e r . I w i l l s u s
t a i n t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I w i l l w i t h d r a w t he q u e s t i o n , Your Honor .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
A. Thompson, Cr 227 .
Q Nov you d i d n ’ t g i v e any i n s t r u c t i o n s t o p o l i c e
o f f i c e r s d i d you w i t h r e s p e c t t o p r o t e c t i n g p i c k e t s d i d you?
A I i n s t r u c t e d my p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t o p r o t e c t e v e r y
b o d y . T h a t ’ s what our w h o l e e f f o r t has been t o p r o t e c t p e o p l e
f r o m g e t t i n g h u r t .
Q And so you p r o t e c t them by t a k i n g them i n c u s t o d y ,
i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A P r o t e c t t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n by t a k i n g law v i o l a t o r s
i n c u s t o d y .
Q But you d o n ’ t know y o u r s e l f w h et he r t h o s e p e o p l e
a r e law v i o l a t o r s ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
No, Your Honor , and I o b j e c t t o t h a t . He c o n t i n u e s
t o a sk him a b o ut t h e s e e v e n t s and now he i s o b j e c t i n g b e c a u s e
t h e Mayor has g i v e n t h e c o n c l u s i o n s o r a ns w e r s t h a t he knows
f r o m h i s p o i n t o f v i e w .
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k i t s a —
(T123) BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) I am not o b j e c t i n g .
BY THE COURT:
( C o n t i n u i n g ) but i f you d o n ’ t t h i n k so I w i l l l e t
BY ATTORNEY MING:
you a s k him a g a i n .
A. Thompson, Cr 228 .
I am not o b j e c t i n g , Your Honor .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
( C o u r t r e c e s s e d a t 1 0 : 4 0 A.M. f o r t e n mi nut es u n t i l
1 0 : 5 0 A . M . )
BY ATTORNEY MING:
BY ATTORNEY MING:
y o ur
t h e y
d u c t
Q Mayor Thompson, you t e s t i f i e d s e v e r a l t i m e s t h a t
i n s t r u c t i o n s to t h e p o l i c e f o r c e o f J a c k s o n was t h a t
were to a r r e s t p e r s o n s who a r e e ng ag ed i n u n l a w f u l c o n -
. I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t .
Q Did you f u r t h e r d e f i n e f o r them what u n l a w f u l c o n
d u c t meant?
A No .
Q Have you e v e r a t a ny t ime d e f i n e d f o r t h e p o l i c e what
u n l a w f u l c o n d u c t meant?
A No, I w o u l d n ’ t know, I w o u l d n ’ t know t h e d e t a i l s ,
t h e a c t u a l d e t a i l s . T h a t ’ s what t h e y a r e t r a i n e d f o r .
Q Now have you had o c c a s i o n b e t w e e n May, 1925 (May 2 5 ,
(T124) 1 9 63 ) and t o d a y t o r e v i e w what t h e p o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
have i n f a c t been d o i n g ?
A Not e v e r y p a r t i c u l a r t h i n g . They keep me a d v i s e d
g e n e r a l l y
A . Thompson, C r . 2 29 .
Q W e l l , t he n i n t h a t r e v i e w d i d you s ee k t o d e t e r m i n e
w h e th e r o r not t h e y had been f o l l o w i n g y o ur i n s t r u c t i o n s to
a r r e s t o n l y p e o p l e who a r e engaged i n u n l a w f u l c o n d u c t ?
A I t h a s n ’ t been n e c e s s a r y f o r me t o do t h a t .
Q W e l l , now j u s t answer my q u e s t i o n , Mr. Mayor , d i d
y o u ?
A No, i f I d i d t h a t I would have t o g e t a new p o l i c e
d e pa r t m e nt i f I d i d n ’ t t r u s t them t o h a n d l e t h e i r b u s i n e s s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I w i l l move t h a t t h a t l a t t e r comment be s t r i c k e n
as n o t r e s p o n s i v e .
BY THE COURT :
I w i l l o v e r r u l e y o u r o b j e c t i o n . You a l l a r e a r g u i n g
w i t h each o t h e r . I t h i n k we a r e i n t e r e s t e d a l o t more h e r e
a b o u t what was done r a t h e r than what somebody t h o u g h t o ug ht to
be d o n e . T h a t ’ s what I am i n t e r e s t e d i n and t h a t ’ s what we
a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s what I am t r y i n g t o f i n d o u t , Your Honor ,
but t h e w i t n e s s d o e s n ’ t seem t o u n d e r s t a n d my q u e s t i o n s .
Q Now Mr. Mayor , d i d you know t h a t t h e p o l i c e o f t h e
C i t y o f J a c k s o n wer e a r r e s t i n g p e r s o n s who s o u gh t t o p i c k e t
p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n by w a l k i n g i n s m a l l g r o u p s i n
s i n g l e f i l e i n f r o n t o f such p l a c e s ?
A. Thompson, Cr 230 .
A Name me t h e p a r t i c u l a r i n c i d e n t you a r e t a l k i n g
a b o ut p l e a s e .
Q W e l l , on May 2 9 , 1963 a t a b o u t uh a b o ut 1 2 : 1 5 P .M.
s i x p e o p l e were a r r e s t e d i n f r o n t o f W o o l w o r t h ’ s s t o r e on
C a p i t o l S t r e e t ?
A I d o n ’ t know t h e f a c t s . The o n l y t h i n g I w i l l s a y ,
Your Honor , i s what I have s a i d i n t h e p a s t t h a t i f t h e y were
a r r e s t e d t h e y wer e a r r e s t e d under t h e b l a n k e t i n s t r u c t i o n to
m a i n t a i n law and o r d e r and p e a c e and t o a r r e s t law v i o l a t o r s .
BY THE COURT :
I b e l i e v e he a s k e d you i f you knew a b o u t i t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
That was my q u e s t i o n .
A No .
Q You d i d not know a b o u t i t ?
A No .
Q Did you know a b o u t t h e a r r e s t o f t h e s e p e o p l e on
S a t u r d a y , June 1 , a t a b o u t f o u r o ’ c l o c k i n t h e a f t e r n o o n i n
f r o n t o f W o o l w o r t h ’ s?
A At t he p a r t i c u l a r t i me n o . L a t e r on o f c o u r s e I
d i d .
Q Have you r e a d t h e c o m p l a i n t i n t h i s c a u s e ?
A No, I d i d n ’ t , i t was s en t t o me and we wer e su p
p o s e d t o go t h e ne xt day and o n e o f t h e a t t o r n e y s p i c k e d up
A. Thompson, Cr 231 .
mine and I h a v e n ’ t r ea d i t c o m p l e t e l y .
Q I t was s e r v e d upon you however ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
Q As Mayor o f the C i t y o f J a c k s o n have you made any
e f f o r t to d e t e r m i n e whether o r not as c h a r g e d i n t h a t com
p l a i n t t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a r e i n t e r f e r i n g w i t h t h e r i g h t s
o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s t o f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h o r p u b l i c a s s e m b l y ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t t o t h e f o r m o f t h a t q u e s t i o n , Your Honor .
He i s n o t e n t i t l e d to a sk t h e w i t n e s s w h e th e r he has t a k e n
a c t i o n i n l i n e w i t h c h a r g e s i n a c o m p l a i n t . He can a s k t h e
Mayor what he has done a b o u t any s p e c i f i c f a c t f a c t u a l s i t u a
t i o n but t h a t ’ s r e q u i r i n g t h e w i t n e s s t o answer as i n t h i s
c o m p a l i n t t r em en d ou s l a r g e c o m p l a i n t w i t h many many c h a r g e s
i n i t .
BY THE COURT :
T h a t ’ s a p r e t t y sw ee p i ng q u e s t i o n , c o u n s e l , I w i l l
l e t you r e p h r a s e i t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , now have you made i n q u i r y as t o t h e p r a c t i c e
o f t h e p o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n i n s t a n t l y to a r r e s t any
n e g ro who a p p e a r s on t h e C a p i t o l S t r e e t w i t h a s i g n on him?
A No .
Q You have not made any such i n q u i r y ?
A. Thompson, C r . 232 .
(T12 7) A No .
Q You d o n ’ t know w h et he r t h a t ’ s a f a c t o r n o t .
A I s a i d I have n o t . Of c o u r s e I know t h a t my p o l i c e
o v e r t h e y e a r s do e x a c t l y as t h e y a r e s u pp o se d t o do as t h e y
have i n s t r u c t i o n s to do and i f s om e t h i ng comes up t h r o u g h t h e
C h i e f o f P o l i c e t o me t h e n o f c o u r s e i t would be i n v e s t i g a t e d
but j u s t a d e c l a r a t i o n or a b i l l f i l e d we have had so many o f
them f i l e d i n t h e l a s t two or t h r e e y e a r s t h a t a l l e g e d so
many t h i n g s o f c o u r s e t h e y w i l l be i n v e s t i g a t e d i n c o u r t and
by our a t t o r n e y s and by our p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t .
Q But you have not made any i n v e s t i g a t i o n ?
A No .
Q Have you made any i n v e s t i g a t i o n t o d e t e r m i n e whe the r
y o u r p o l i c e o f f i c e r s have a r r e s t e d n e g r o e s i n p l a c e s o f p u b l i c
a c c o m m o d a t i o n f r o m wh ich t h e y were e x c l u d e d on a c c o u n t o f t h e i r
r a c e ?
A No, I have made no i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
Q None a t a l l ?
A Not i n v e s t i g a t i o n a b o u t t h e o p e r a t i o n s . They keep
me a d v i s e d a b o u t how t h e y a r e p r o c e e d i n g under t h e g e n e r a l
o r d e r s . They know t h e i r b u s i n e s s o r t h e y w o u l d n ’ t be t h e r e .
Q W e l l now have you made any i n v e s t i g a t i o n t o d e t e r
mine whether t h e a r r e s t s a r e f o r o f f e n s e s wh ich t h e Supreme
C o u rt o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s has h e l d a r e i l l e g a l ?
A. Thompson, C r . 233 .
( T1 28) BY ATTORNEY WATKINS :
We o b j e c t t o t h a t as c a l l i n g on t h e w i t n e s s f o r a
l e g a l c o n c l u s i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , t h e w i t n e s s has been t e s t i f y i n g a b o u t l e g a l
c o n c l u s i o n s and I want t o f i n d out what he means by i t .
BY THE COURT :
I w i l l s u s t a i n t he o b j e c t i o n . We a r e h a v i n g a
l e g a l argument between two l a w y e r s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , now Mr. Mayor , have you made any i n v e s t i g a
t i o n t o d e t e r m i n e what i n f a c t i s t h e c o n d u c t o f t h e p l a i n
t i f f s ?
A I have made no i n v e s t i g a t i o n . Let me put i t t h i s
way , Your Ho no r . I f I made i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f e v e r y t h i n g
s u g g e s t e d by c o u n s e l I w o u l d n ’ t be a b l e t o run any o t h e r
p a r t o f my b u s i n e s s wh ich i n c l u d e s r u n n i n g many many t h i n g s
i n t h e c i t y . The C h i e f o f P o l i c e , t h e Deputy C h i e f , t h e
o f f i c e r s h a n d l e t h i s . I r e l y on t hem. I make i n v e s t i g a t i o n s
o n l y when t h i n g s a r e b r o u g h t t o my a t t e n t i o n t h a t I c o n s i d e r
n e c e s s a r y f o r me t o . In t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c a s e n o t h i n g has
come t o my a t t e n t i o n w h i ch would m e r i t any i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
Q W e l l , now Mr. Mayor , -----
BY THE COURT :
A. Thompson, Cr 234 .
Are you t r y i n g t o f i n d o u t wh et her o r not what
t h e s e o f f i c e r s d i d meets w i t h t h e a p p r o v a l o f t h e C i t y o f
J a c k s o n ? J u s t so a sk him.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , Your Honor , I w i l l a s k him l i t e r a l l y t h a t
q u e s t i o n .
Q Did what t h e o f f i c e r s have done s i n c e May 2 5 t h ,
1963 w i t h r e s p e c t t o n e g r o e s o b j e c t i n g t o r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n
i n J a c k s o n meet w i t h y o u r a p p r o v a l ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
J ust a minute now. I o b j e c t t o t h e f o rm o f t h a t
q u e s t i o n as a h y p o t h e t i c a l q u e s t i o n b e c a u s e f i r s t i t l i m i t s
i t t o n e g r o e s and t h e b i l l i t s e l f shows t h a t b o t h n e g r o e s and
w h i t e p e o p l e have be en p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
and i t d o e s n ’ t show t h a t t h e y have j u s t been o b j e c t i n g t o
s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n . The b i l l shows t h a t t h e a ims o f the
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s have been f a r beyond t h a t . I d o n ’ t t h i n k
t h a t t y p e o f q u e s t i o n i s a p r o p e r q u e s t i o n t o a s k t h e man.
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k t h e me nt al p r o c e s s e s what t he c o l o r e d
p e o p l e had i n mind i n d o i n g what t h e y d i d and what t h e p o l i c e
o f f i c e r s had i n mind i n d o i n g what t h e y d i d I t h i n k t h a t
s h o u l d be l e f t out o f t h e q u e s t i o n and i f you a r e t r y i n g t o
a s k what I was t r y i n g t o g e t you t o a s k w h e t h e r o r not he
A. Thompson, Cr 235
e n d o r s e d what h i s p o l i c e o f f i c e r s d i d was t h a t an o f f i c i a l
a c t o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n I w i l l l e t you a s k t h a t .
A W e l l , I w i l l answer t h a t q u e s t i o n y e s .
( T1 30) BY THE COURT:
J us t a m i n u t e , l e t him t r y h i s l a w s u i t .
A Exc use me.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , now what d i d t h e y do?
A You mean each p a r t i c u l a r , what each p a r t i c u l a r
o f f i c e r d i d .
Q W e l l His Honor a s k e d i f you a p p r o v e d what t h e
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s had done and you s a i d y e s ?
A Yes .
Q What have t h e y done?
A They have u p h e l d t h e law and c r e a t e d p e a c e i n a
c i t y and kept down mob v i o l e n c e as you have i n o t h e r c i t i e s
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I move t h a t be s t r i c k e n as s t a t i n g a c o n c l u s i o n .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
W e l l t h a t ’ s what he c a l l e d f o r was a c o n c l u s i o n .
BY THE COURT :
T h a t ’ s what you a s ke d f o r , c o u n s e l . I w i l l o v e r
r u l e y o u r o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
A. Thompson, Cr 236 .
( T1 31)
Q W e l l , now what d i d t h e y s p e c i f i c a l l y do w i t h r e
s p e c t t o t h e p l a i n t i f f E v e r s ?
A S p e c i f i c a l l y I c o u l d not t e l l y o u . G e n e r a l l y t h e y
have c r e a t e d a w o n d e r f u l c i t y .
Q Do you know what t h e y d i d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t he
p l a i n t i f f Mrs . A l l i s o n ?
A Who?
Q Mrs . A l i i so n?
A Mrs . Who?
Q Mrs . D o r i s A l l i s o n ?
A I ne 1rer have heard o f her
Q Do you know what t h e y d i d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
p l a i n t i f f Roy W i l k i n s ?
A I saw t h a t i n t h e p a p e r .
Q But you ha ve no o t h e r i n f o r m a t i o
A They mi ght ha ve t o l d me a b o u t i t
Q But i t ha s y o u r a p p r o v a l ?
A Y e s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have no f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s .
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Mr. Mayor , has t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n p r o s e c u t e d
a nyone f o r v i o l a t i o n o f any s e g r e g a t i o n s t a t u t e o r o r d i n a n c e
A. Thompson, D i r . 237 .
f o r t h e p a s t t e n y e a r s ?
A Not t h a t I know o f .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I w i l l o b j e c t t o t h a t . I must a p o l o g i z e f o r not
a r i s i n g but t h e w i t n e s s s t a r t e d a n s w e r i n g .
( T1 32) BY THE COURT:
I w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e o b j e c t i o n .
A Not t h a t I know o f .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS :
Q To y o ur knowl ed ge has r a c e o r c o l o r had a n y t h i n g
t o do w i t h any o f t h e a r r e s t s made i n J a c k s o n d u r i n g t h e p a s t
t h r e e we ek s?
A No .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I w i l l o b j e c t to t h a t , i f t h e Court p l e a s e . When
I t r i e d t o make i n q u i r y a b o u t his p o l i c e o f f i c e r s he i n s i s t e d
t h a t h i s p o l i c e o f f i c e r s were r e s p o n s i b l e and he knew n o t h i n g
a b o u t i t . Now he i s a s k e d w h et he r r a c e was a f a c t o r i n what
h i s p o l i c e o f f i c e r s d id and I r e s p e c t f u l l y s u g g e s t Mr. Wat kins
has no r i g h t to impeach h i s own c l i e n t s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Your Honor , I t h i n k t h a t ’ s a m a t t e r i f i t s w i t h i n
t h e kn o wl ed g e o f t h e Mayor he can so s t a t e and my next q u e s
t i o n w i l l p o i n t o u t how he knows.
A. Thompson, D i r . 238 .
BY THE COURT :
W e l l , t h e Mayor i s t a l k i n g o f p e r s o n a l knowledge
o f n e c e s s i t y and he i s sworn t o g i v e an answer o f p e r s o n a l
kn owledge and t h a t o n l y so I w i l l o v e r r u l e y our o b j e c t i o n .
A No .
( T1 3 3) BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q P l e a s e t e l l t h e C o u r t , Mayor Thompson, w h et he r d u r
i n g t h e p a s t t h r e e weeks and d u r i n g t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s we have
had i n J a c k s o n i n t h a t p e r i o d w h i t e p e o p l e and n e g r o e s have
be en a r r e s t e d a t t h e same t i m e and p l a c e f o r t h e same o f f e n s e ?
A Y e s .
Q T e l l t h e Court whether t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n a t t e m p t s
o r has e v e r a t t e m p t e d t o c o n t r o l t h e a c t i o n s o f p r i v a t e b u s i
n e s s e s as t o wh et he r such b u s i n e s s e s a r e i n t e g r a t e d o r s e g r e
g a t e d i n t h e i r o p e r a t i o n s ?
A They have not and I have s a i d t h a t f o r o v e r a y e a r
and i n a t e l e v i s i o n s p e e c h j u s t a month ago I r e i t e r a t e d what
I have t o l d w h i t e and c o l o r e d b u s i n e s s m e n t h a t t h e y can t r a d e
w i t h who t h e y want t o , w h i t e o n l y , c o l o r e d o n l y , w h i t e and
c o l o r e d , and t h a t t he o n l y way t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n w i l l be
i n v o l v e d i s to p r o t e c t them i n t h e r i g h t to h a nd l e t h e b u s i
n e s s as t h e y so d e s i r e .
Q Has t h e C i t y a t t e m p t e d o r d o e s i t now a t t e m p t to
c o n t r o l p r i v a t e b us i n e s s m e n i n t h e i r d e c i s i o n as t o w h e th e r
A. Thompson, D i r . 239 .
(T134)
t h e y employ w h i t e , c o l o r e d , b o t h or e i t h e r ?
A We have not and w i l l n o t .
Q Does t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n i n t e n d t o p e r mi t any
i l l e g a l o r u n l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s to t a k e p l a c e on t he pub
l i c s t r e e t s o r s i d e w a l k s ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
J u s t a moment, Your Honor . I w i l l o b j e c t t o t h a t
t h e ground t h a t t h e Court i t s e l f p o i n t e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
m a t t e r s o f c o n c l u s i o n s o f t h i s w i t n e s s ; q u e s t i o n c a l l s c e r
t a i n l y f o r a l e g a l c o n c l u s i o n by t h i s w i t n e s s who when I
e n d e a v o r e d t o i n t e r r o g a t e him w i t h r e s p e c t t o h i s v i e w s a b o u t
t h e law f i r s t o f a l l he d e n i e d he had any knowl ed ge o f i t and
t h e n t h e Court s u s t a i n e d o b j e c t i o n s t o my i n q u i r i e s o f him
a b o u t t h e l a w . I s u g g e s t r e s p e c t f u l l y t h a t under t h e s e c i r
c u m s t a n c e s now f o r Mr. Wa tk i ns t o i n q u i r e as t o what t h e law
pro gra m o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n i s i s i m p r o p e r o f t h i s w i t n e s s
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k he i s a s k i n g h i s p o l i c y . I n o t i c e w i t h a
g r e a t d e a l o f i n t e r e s t t h a t t h e Supreme C o ur t o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s has g i v e n some w e i g h t t o p o l i c y and e x e c u t i v e s t a t e
ments f r o m t h e Mayor a s i t has g i v e n o r d i n a n c e s and I w i l l
o v e r r u l e y o u r o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
!
o n
Q You remember t h e q u e s t i o n s i r ?
A. Thompson, Dir 240 .
A I am l o s t .
Q Does t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n i n t e n d to p e r m i t any
i l l e g a l o r u n l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s t o t a k e p l a c e on t h e pub
l i c s t r e e t s o r s i d e w a l k s o f t h e c i t y ?
A No s i r .
Q Mr. Mayor , have t he r e c e n t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n t h i s
C i t y i n t h e p a s t t h r e e weeks been o r g a n i z e d and p l a n n e d or
have t h e y been s p o n t a n e o u s o c c u r r e n c e s ?
A O r g a n i z e d and p l a n n e d t h e way I b e l i e v e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I move t h a t t h e answer be s t r i c k e n , Your Honor . I t
c a l l s f o r a s t a t e m e n t o f c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e r e f o r e i s i m p r o p e r
a s t o f o r m . I f he wants to i n q u i r e o f t h e Mayor what he knows
t h a t ’ s a d i f f e r e n t m a t t e r .
BY THE COURT:
I t h i n k t h e f o r m o f t h e answer i s c o n f u s i n g i n
n a t u r e and I w i l l s u s t a i n t he o b j e c t i o n and l e t him s t a t e
what he knows and t h e n he may s t a t e h i s c o n c l u s i o n s .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Mr. Mayor , do you know o f any f a c t s w h i c h i n d i c a t e
w h e t h e r t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s have been e i t h e r o r g a n i z e d and
p l a n n e d o r s p o n t a n e o u s i n n a t u r e ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Your Honor , may I a s k , i f I u n d e r s t a n d t h e q u e s t i o n
A. Thompson, D i r . 241.
as I am not sur e I d o , I o b j e c t t o i t on t h e g ro u n d s t h a t i t
i s not l i m i t e d t o t h e M a y or ’ s p e r s o n a l k n o w l e d g e , i t i s not
l i m i t e d t o t h e m a t t e r s wh ich a r e a t i s s u e i n t h i s c o m p l a i n t
and t h e r e f o r e i s o b j e c t i o n a b l e . I wonder i f we might have
t h e q u e s t i o n r e a d , Your Honor?
BY THE COURT :
Read t h e q u e s t i o n ba ck p l e a s e s i r .
BY THE REPORTER:
Mr. Mayor , do you know o f any f a c t s wh ich i n d i c a t e
w h e th e r t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s have been e i t h e r o r g a n i z e d and
p l a n n e d o r s p o n t a n e o u s i n n a t u r e ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , t hen I would f u r t h e r o b j e c t , Your Honor , on
t h e g ro und t h a t t h a t ’ s not r e l e v a n t t o t h e i s s u e s i n t h i s
pro c e e d i n g .
BY THE COURT:
I w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e o b j e c t i o n .
A I do n o t have names o r p a r t i c u l a r t i m e s .
BY THE COURT :
He a s k ed you i f you knew any f a c t s , Mayor?
A Yes s i r .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q What a r e t h e y s i r ?
A An a t t e m p t a t one o f t h e s c h o o l s to s t i r up t he
A. Thompson, Dir 242 .
(T137)
c h i l d r e n n e c e s s i t a t i n g o ur p o l i c e k e e p i n g t h e c h i l d r e n in
s c h o o l u n t i l t h e y had q u i e t e d down.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Now j u s t a moment, Your Honor . T h i s I w i l l move to
s t r i k e as not b e i n g r e s p o n s i v e .
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k i t s r e s p o n s i v e . I w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e
o b j e c t i o n .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) and i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t i n d i c a t e s t h e
NACP and l i k e p r e s s u r e g r o u p s c a l l e d f o r v o l u n t e e r s t o e i t h e r
p i c k e t o r s i t i n o r march o r d e m o n s t r a t e . A t e l e g r a m s a y i n g —
BY THE COURT :
Q You know t h e s e t h i n g s o f y o u r own k n o w l e d g e , Mr.
Mayor?
A Yes s i r . Yes
was not p r e s e n t s i r when
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , i n t h a t
t h e y a l l be s t r i c k e n .
s i r . W e l l , f r o m my own k n owl ed ge I
t h e y a c t u a l l y h a p p en e d .
e v e n t , Your Honor , I w i l l move t h a t
BY THE COURT:
I d o n ’ t know t h e b a s i s o f y o u r s t a t i n g t h a t you
knew them f r o m y o ur k n o w l e d g e .
A P e o p l e who a r e i n v o l v e d t e l l me.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
A. Thompson, D i r . 243 .
W e l l , Your Honor , I w i l l renew my m o t i o n t o s t r i k e .
BY THE COURT:
I w i l l s u s t a i n t he o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS :
Q Mr. Mayor , what e f f e c t have t h e —
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Let me i n one t h i n g , Mr. W a t k i n s ,
t h i s i s a t e l e g r a m by Medger E v e r s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y , NACP,
Dave D e n n i s , F i e l d S e c r e t a r y , CORE, E. A . Mayes , P r e s i d e n t o f
t h e i n t e r d e n o m i n a t i o n m i n i s t e r s a l l i a n c e , S a u l t e r s , c o -
( T138) c ha i rm an i n t e r o r g a n i z a t i o n a 1 s t r a t e g y c o m m i t t e e , N. L. W i l l i a m s ,
B a p t i s t M i n i s t e r s U n i o n . T h i s was a f t e r c e r t a i n m e e t i n g s t h a t
we have had w i t h t h e m i n i s t e r s and a s k e d them i f t h e y would
t r y t o t a l k t o t h e i r p e o p l e and p r e v e n t t h e c h i l d r e n f rom
b e i n g u se d i n t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . They wanted c e r t a i n
a g r e e m e n t s o u t o f me wh ich were i m p o s s i b l e f o r me t o make and
t h e y s a i d t h e y wou ld go b a c k , t h a t ’ s i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f me,
t h a t t h e y would go b a c k t o t h e s e m e e t i n g s and t r y t o keep as
I m e n t i o n e d t h e NACP f r o m p u s h i n g t h e young p e o p l e i n t o
t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s and t h i s i s a t e l e g r a m s en t by t h e s e .
BY THE COURT :
Q T h a t ’ s n o t i n t he p r e s e n c e o f one o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s
h e r e ?
A Yes s i r .
Q I t was?
A. Thompson, Dir 244 .
( T1 39)
A The p l a i n t i f f s , w e l l now l e t ’ s s e e , I am g e t t i n g
sued i n t h i s ca s e .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Medger E v e r s , was he p r e s e n t ?
A No, Hought on , i s Houghton a p l a i n t i f f ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
No .
BY ATTORNEY MORRIS:
No .
A Who a r e y o u r p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
The p l a i n t i f f s a r e t h e NAACP, Roy W i l k i n s , Medger
E v e r s , W i l l i e B. Ludden, R e v . Ralph K i n g , Miss D o r i s E r s k i n e ,
and Mrs . D o r i s A l l i s o n .
A No, but h e r e i s a t e l e g r a m t h a t I j u s t m e n t i o n e d .
We h e r e w i t h r e j e c t y o u r p r o p o s a l o f May 22nd on t h e g ro un ds
t h a t one t h e c o m m i t t e e you p r o p o s e i s not t r u l y r e p r e s e n t a
t i v e o f J a c k s o n n e g r o c ommuni t y , t h a t ’ s when I r e f u s e d t o t a k e
f o u r o r f i v e t h a t t h e y s a i d were comi ng to s ee me and I s a i d
I wo ul d t a l k w i t h c e r t a i n o n e s , no t t h e NAACP. The t y p e o f
c o m m i t t e e you p r o p o s e v i r t u a l l y i g n o r e s t h o s e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
o f t h e J a c k s o n n e g ro community d e m o c r a t i c a l l y c h o s e n by
s e c r e t b a l l o t a t t h e community m e e t i n g o f May 2 1 . A l t h o u g h
I d i d name some A. W. Banks and some o t h e r s . The c o m m i t t e e
A . Thompson, D i r . 245 .
you p r o p o s e i s not b i - r a c i a l i n i t s c o m p o s i t i o n . We now a l l
i t s ay s p r o b a b l y we now c a l l upon t h e b us in e ss me n and b u s i
n e s s e s i n v o l v e d t o i m m e d i a t e l y n e g o t i a t e i n good f a i t h w i t h
o ur d e m o c r a t i c a l l y s e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . Now t h i s : I f
such n e g o t i a t i o n s i n good f a i t h do n o t we o c c u r we s h a l l
have no a l t e r n a t i v e but t o commence i n t e n s i v e d i r e c t a c t i o n
q u i t e s h o r t l y i n d e e d . In o t h e r w or ds t h a t was what I had t o
as a mayor o f a c i t y i n t e r p r e t as a t h r e a t .
BY ATTORNEY' MING:
Q I s t h e r e more o f t h e t e l e g r a m ?
A T h a t ' s a l l , s i g n e d as I s a i d by t h e s e .
( T 1 4 0 ) BY ATTORNEY WATKINS :
Q Mr. Mayor , do you know w h e t h e r o r no t at each
d e m o n s t r a t i o n t h e p r e s s media a p p e a r s on t h e s c e n e e i t h e r
b e f o r e o r a t t he same t i m e t h e d e m o n s t r a t o r s a p p e a r ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
J ust a moment. Your Honor , I w i l l o b j e c t on t he
g ro un d t h a t t h a t ’ s i r r e l e v a n t . I c e r t a i n l y w i l l o b j e c t as
t o t h e f o r m . The w i t n e s s has t e s t i f i e d on i n t e r r o g a t i o n by
me t h a t he was not p r e s e n t but most i m p o r t a n t I w i l l o b j e c t
on t h e ground t h a t i t i s i r r e l e v a n t as to w h e t h e r o r not
t h e r e were p h o t o g r a p h e r s and news media p e o p l e p r e s e n t .
A I do know o f t w o .
BY THE COURT:
A. Thompson, Dir 246 .
I w i l l o v e r r u l e t h e o b j e c t i o n .
A I know o f c o u r s e what I r e a d i n t h e p a p e r s and
what I h e a r , but o n l y t w o , i t c o u l d be more , when some were
coming t o C i t y H a l l we had p h o t o g r a p h e r s , p re ssmen f rom a l l
o v e r t h e n a t i o n l i n e d up f o r an hour w a i t i n g .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Did you a r r a n g e f o r t h o s e p h o t o g r a p h e r s and news
men t o be t h e r e ?
A No, and t h e y were c o m p l a i n i n g b e c a u s e t h e t i m e was
o f f s c h e d u l e . The NAACP and o t h e r s had t o l d them i t was an
e a r l i e r t i me and t h e y c a l l e d and s a i d h u r r y u p .
Q What e f f e c t , Mayor , have t h e s e p u b l i c i z e d d e m o n s t r a -
( T 1 4 l ) t i o n s had on t h e p u b l i c i n J a c k s o n ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , now Your Honor , t h a t c e r t a i n l y c a l l s f o r a
c o n c l u s i o n .
BY THE COURT :
I w i l l s u s t a i n t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Mr. Mayor , where c ro wd s have g a t h e r e d as a r e s u l t
o f t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s have t h e p o l i c e o r d e r e d b o t h t h e
d e m o n s t r a t o r s and members o f t h e p u b l i c to d i s p e r s e and move
o n?
A Yes s i r .
A. Thompson, D i r . 247 .
J us t a moment. J u s t a moment. Your Honor , u n l e s s
he e s t a b l i s h e s t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h i s w i t n e s s and t h e t i m e and
p l a c e he i s t a l k i n g a b o u t I r e s p e c t f u l l y submit t h i s kind o f
q u e s t i o n i s i m p r o p e r .
BY THE COURT:
W e l l , I w o u l d n ’ t know w h et he r t h e q u e s t i o n was
i m p r o p e r u n l e s s I knew t h e answer and I w i l l say t o t h e Mayor
as he a l r e a d y knows he c a n ’ t answer i f he d o e s n ’ t know p e r s o n
a l l y .
A The o n l y t h i n g I know, Your Honor , i s t h a t t h a t ha
come under one o f t he d i s c u s s i o n s when we d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e
law e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r s t h a t t h a t i s my p o l i c y .
(T142) BY THE COURT:
The q u e s t i o n i s what you knew p e r s o n a l l y . Go
a h e a d .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I am s o r r y , Your Honor , I c o u l d n ’ t hear y o u .
BY THE COURT :
Do you know t h a t p e r s o n a l l y ?
A I do not know t h a t p e r s o n a l l y . That i s my p o l i c y .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Did t h a t o c c u r a t t h e d e m o n s t r a t i o n w h i ch you
BY ATTORNEY MING:
w i t n e s s e d a t t h e C i t y H a l l ?
A. Thompson, Dir 248 .
A Yes s i r .
Q And i n a t l e a s t one i n s t a n c e you d i d w i t n e s s i t ?
A Yes s i r .
Q Have t h o s e been y o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s t o t h e P o l i c e
Department?
A Yes s i r .
Q What were y o ur i n s t r u c t i o n s i f e i t h e r group and by
e i t h e r group I mean w h e th e r e i t h e r d e m o n s t r a t o r s o r members
o f t h e p u b l i c r e f u s e d to d i s p e r s e on t h e o r d e r s o f t h e p o l i c e
what have been y o ur i n s t r u c t i o n s ?
A To a r r e s t them.
Q Members o f e i t h e r g r o u p .
A E i t h e r g r o u p .
Q Mr. Mayor , o f t h e more t h a n 300 who were a r r e s t e d
f o r p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t a p e r m i t on May 3 l s t , 1963 do you know
(T143) what d i s p o s i t i o n was made o f t h o s e o f f e n d e r s under 18 y e a r s
o f a g e ?
A Not e v e r y o n e o f t hem, Mr. W a t k i n s , but f r o m the
i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t I have t h e y wer e a l l r e l e a s e d to t h e i r
p a r e n t s w a i t i n g o n l y f o r t h e i r p a r e n t s , f a t h e r o r mother or
g u a r d i a n o r someone who would v o u c h f o r them t o t a k e them
ho me.
Q Was any f i n e i mpo sed on them?
A Not t h a t I know o f .
A. Thompson, Dir * 249
( T 144)
Q Were t h e y r e q u i r e d t o p o s t any bond?
A Not t h a t I know o f .
Q Did t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e gr oup c o n s i s t o f minors
unde r t h e age o f 18 y e a r s ?
A Yes s i r .
Q Mr. Mayor , you w e r e a s ked a bo ut t h e tempo r a r y ja
quar t er s o n t he f a i r g r o u n d s . I want to as k you whet her o r
a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e Department o f J u s t i c e o f t h e Uni ted
S t a t es and some o f t h e a t t o r n e y s f o r t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s have
i n sp e c t ed t h o s e t e m p o r a r y q u a r t e r s ?
A Yes s i r .
Q Were any o f t h o s e f a c i l i t i es c r i t i c i z e d i n any
ma nn er to y our kn owl ed g e?
A Not t o me .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
T h a t ’ s a l l I h a v e .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Mr. Mayor , i s i t t he i n t e n t i o n o f t h e a u t h o r i t i e s
o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n to p e r m i t l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s ?
A I have a g e n e r a l l y r e c o g n i z e d b e l i e f and p o l i c y
on t h a t . I r e c o g n i z e t h e r i g h t o f any i n d i v i d u a l t o a c t
p e a c e f u l l y f o r any l a w f u l p u r p o s e .
Q May t h e r e c o r d show t h a t t h e Mayor i s r e a d i n g f r o m
250 .
(T145)
A. Thompson, R e c r .
a p r e p a r e d s t a t e m e n t , Your Honor?
A T h i s i s s o me t hi ng t h a t I p a r t o f a s t a t e m e n t t h a t
I w r o t e down 15 mi nu te s b e f o r e I came to be sure t h a t I
w o u l d n ’ t t a k e Your Honor ’ s t i m e i n s t u m b l i n g a r o u n d .
BY THE MARSHAL:
L e t ’ s have o r d e r .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) I r e c o g n i z e t h e r i g h t o f any i n d i v i
d u a l to a c t p e a c e f u l l y f o r any l a w f u l p u r p o s e but t h i s d o e s
n o t i n c l u d e t h e r i g h t t o b l o c k a p u b l i c s i d e w a l k o r s t r e e t ,
t o i n t i m i d a t e p e r s o n s or b u s i n e s s e s , t o a c t i n r e s t r a i n t o f
t r a d e , t o a t t e m p t u n l a w f u l l y to c o n t r o l t he management or
o p e r a t i o n o f a p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s and i n any o t h e r u n l a w f u l
manne r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now have you d e f i n e d f o r us what you r e g a r d as
u n l a w f u l ? Does t h a t s t a t e m e n t d e f i n e i t ?
A No, t h a t ’ s l e f t up t o t h e p o l i c e a t t h e p a r t i c u l a r
t i m e w i t h t h e p a r t i c u l a r f a c t s .
Q And i f t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s i n t e r f e r r e d w i t h some
b ody who was c o n d u c t i n g a l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n t h e y would be
v i o l a t i n g y o u r o r d e r s . I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A I f t h e y would do t h a t t h a t would be v i o l a t i n g what
I have i n s t r u c t e d .
Q And do you r e g a r d i t as l a w f u l t o p r o t e s t a g a i n s t
A. Thompson, Re cr 251 .
r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t t o t h a t as c a l l i n g f o r a l e g a l c o n c l u s i o n
f r o m t h e w i t n e s s .
BY THE COURT:
He’ s a l a w y e r , I w i l l l e t him answer t h a t .
A A g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t .
A J u s t t h e p r o t e s t i n g a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n t he
c o u r t s have h e l d i s not a g a i n s t t h e law at p a r t i c u l a r t i m e s .
Where o b s t r u c t i n g s i d e w a l k s , p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t p e r m i t s ,
i n c i d e n t a l l y t h e m a t t e r o f p a r a d i n g w i t h o u t p e r m i t s i s not
c o n f i n e d t o c o l o r e d p e o p l e . The S h r i n e p a r ad e w i t h hundreds
and hundreds o f p e o p l e were d e n i e d a p e r mi t to p a r ad e t h e
day b e f o r e a l l o f t h i s o c c u r r e d and so any p a r t i c u l a r t h i n g
l i k e t h a t would depend upon t h e f a c t s a t t h a t t i m e .
Q W e l l , now------
( T 1 4 6 ) BY THE COURT :
I n most m u n i c i p a l i t i e s and c i t i e s t h e mayor i s a
p o l i c e j u s t i c e . F o r t he r e c o r d who i s t h e P o l i c e J u s t i c e
f o r J a c k s o n ?
A W e l l , we have Judge J im S p e n c e r who i s t h e C i t y
Judge and Judge B i l l F o n t a i n e as A s s i s t a n t C i t y J u d g e .
(T147)
Q Does t h e Mayor e v e r s i t ?
A No s i r . I d o n ’ t e v e r t a l k to them a b o u t any c a s e
o r even know what t r a n s p i r e s o r have any c o n f e r e n c e w i t h them
a b o u t any p a r t i c u l a r c a s e . In f a c t as a m a t t e r o f f a c t my
l a w y e r s t o l d me t h a t 12 or 15 had been d i s m i s s e d on some
c h a r g e , I d i d n ’ t even know what p a r t i c u l a r c h a r g e t h e y w e r e ,
you t o l d me t h a t I b e l i e v e y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n .
Q Do you e v e r p a r t i c i p a t e i n any way i n t h e p o l i c e
c o u r t i n t h e t r i a l o r d i s p o s i t i o n o f any o f t h e s e c a s e s ?
A Nev er have s i r .
Q But y ou do have p a r d o n power?
A You know I have n e v e r p ar do ned a n y b o d y . I c a n ’ t
t e l l y o u , Your Honor .
Q You a r e not a v e r y f o r g i v i n g s o u l .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
At l e a s t he has n e v e r e x e r c i s e d i t have y o u , Mayor?
BY THE COURT :
I t h i n k you have p a r d o n i n g po we rs j u s t l i k e t h e
g o v e r n o r .
A Yes s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q I w o u l d l i k e t o go b a c k to t h e q u e s t i o n I a s k e d you
and g et y o ur a n s w e r , Mr. Ma yo r . As I u n d e r s t a n d i t you say i t
A . Thompson, Re cr . 2 52 .
i s t h e p o l i c y o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n to p e r m i t l a w f u l demon
A. Thompson, R e c r 253 .
(T148)
s t r a t i o n s , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A W e l l , t h a t r e q u i r e s some more e x p l a n a t i o n . You
c a n ’ t have any d e m o n s t r a t i o n , a l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n , t h e
s h r i n e p a r ad e would have been a l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n i f I
had d e c i d e d t h a t i t was not d a n g e r o u s so I t o l d them t h a t
t h e y c o u l d n ’ t have t he l a w f u l march.
Q So you r e g a r d ------
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) So e v e r y t h i n g t h a t you a s k a b o u t law
f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n s d epend s upon t h e f a c t s a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r
t i m e .
Q So you r e g a r d t h e Mayor o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
as h a v i n g t h e power t o d e t e r m i n e what and when and where
t h e r e may be a l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n ?
A In p a r t i c u l a r i n s t a n c e s but a t o t h e r t i m e s o f
c o u r s e t h a t would have t o be d e l e g a t e d t o t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r
i n l a r g e amounts I have t h a t a u t h o r i t y .
Q E i t h e r you have i t o r t h e p o l i c e d epa rt me nt has i t
I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A Where i t c r e a t e s a d i s t u r b a n c e o r t r o u b l e as I
have s a i d t h e r e i s u n l a w f u l .
Q Now I r e p e a t my—
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) I am t r y i n g I want to g e t o v e r to
you t o t a k e b ac k up N o r t h -----
BY ATTORNEY MORRIS:
A, Thompson, R e c r , 254 .
( L a u g h i n g . )
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Now j u s t a moment, Your Honor . I r e s p e c t f u l l y
s u g g e s t t h a t t h i s i s a l a w y e r , a member o f t h e b a r —
BY THE COURT:
Now we d o n ’ t want an argument on t h a t . I s u s t a i n
t h e o b j e c t i o n . Go a h e a d .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now Mr. Mayor , I i n q u i r e o f you a g a i n f o l l o w i n g t he
a u t h o r i t y w h i c h you have d e s c r i b e d t h a t you b e l i e v e y o u r s e l f
t o have do you r e g a r d a p r o t e s t a g a i n s t r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n
J a c k s o n as l a w f u l ?
A The r e would be so many d i f f e r e n t t h i n g s i n v o l v e d .
I f t h i s p e r s o n would g e t o u t i n an empty f i e l d w i t h a s i g n
on h i s b ack s a y i n g I d o n ’ t b e l i e v e i n r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n
c o u l d n ’ t any body say a w o r d .
Q W e l l , now l e t me put you a s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n .
A I f he would g e t down i n t h e m i d d l e o f town s a y i n g
I d o n ’ t b e l i e v e i n r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n t h e n you would have to
c o n s i d e r t h e o b s t r u c t i n g o f s i d e w a l k s , t h e p a r a d i n g and so
many o t h e r t h i n g s , so many f a c t s and so many f a c t o r s a r e i n
v o l v e d i n any p a r t i c u l a r q u e s t i o n .
Q I f a s i n g l e p e r s o n w e a r i n g a p l a c a r d was o b j e c t i n g
s a i d I o b j e c t to r a c i a l s e g r e g a t i o n i n J a c k s o n walked down
A. Thompson, R e c r . 255 .
C a p i t o l S t r e e t would t h a t be a l a w f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n ?
A That would have t o be d e c i d e d by t h e p o l i c e o f f i c e r
a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i m e .
Q And not by you and you would l e a v e i t t o t h e p o l i c e
o f f i c e r ?
A Oh I have t o do t h a t .
Q Now w i t h r e s p e c t to y o u r t e s t i m o n y a b o u t t h e p e r -
sons o t h e r t han p i c k e t s o r d e m o n s t r a t o r s how many o f such
p er sons have been a r r e s t e d ?
A You mean t h e l a s t , i n t h i s l a s t —
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) S i n c e May 2 5t h ?
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) campaign?
Q S i n c e May 2 5th ?
A I would say o v e r 600 but I d o n ’ t know.
Q How many o t h e r than d e m o n s t r a t o r s ?
A I w o u l d n ’ t know.
Q Do you know w h et he r any have been a r r e s t e d ?
A I w o u l d n ’ t know.
Q Who would know?
A We would have r e c o r d s o v e r a t t he P o l i c e De p ar t me nt .
Q And y e t you t e s t i f i e d as I u n d e r s t o o d y o ur i n q u i r y
and y o u r answer t o i n q u i r i e s o f Mr. Wat kins t h a t y o ur o r d e r s
t o t h e p o l i c e were to a r r e s t p e r s o n s who v i o l a t e d t h e law
without regard to whether they were demonstrators or not . I s
A. Thompson, R e c r . 256 .
t h a t r i g h t , Mr. Mayor?
A White o r c o l o r e d , whether t h e y were w h i t e o r c o l o r
ed .
Q You a l s o t e s t i f i e d , p e r ha p s I m i s u n d e r s t o o d y o u , to
a r r e s t p e r s o n s wh et he r t h e y were d e m o n s t r a t o r s o r n o t ?
A Y e s , we a r e g o i n g t o c o n t i n u e to a r r e s t drunks and
t h i e v e s and a l l o f t h a t a t t he same t ime t h a t we a r e p u t t i n g
up w i t h t h i s o t h e r . I s t h a t what you mean?
Q I t h i n k you know v e r y w e l l , Mr. Mayor , t h a t t h a t
i s not what I mean. What I am i n q u i r i n g a b o u t i s w h et he r
t h e r e have been any a r r e s t s o f mobs h a r a s s i n g p i c k e t s ?
A The , Your Honor , I c a n ’ t say i n a f ew w o r d s . I am
s o r r y t h a t I am t a k i n g up your t i m e but t h e m a t t e r o f a r r e s t
i n g p i c k e t s , l e t me g i v e you a h y p o t h e t i c a l c a s e . They a r e
s i x p e o p l e — -
BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Now Your H o n o r , —
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) you have a s ke d me t h i s q u e s t i o n —
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Now j u s t a moment. Now j u s t a moment.
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) I d o n ’ t know, I d o n ’ t know o f a n y . You
have s i x p e o p l e a r r e s t e d as you c a l l p i c k e t s -----
BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) J u s t a moment. He has now a nswered
A . Thompson, Recr 257 .
t h e q u e s t i o n he d o e s n ’ t know t h e a n s w e r .
(T151) BY THE COURT:
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e m a t t e r o f m in or s who were
a r r e s t e d d i d I u n d e r s t a n d y our answer t o be t h a t t h e y were
a l l t u r n e d l o o s e on t h e r e c o g n i z a n c e o f t h e i r p a r e n t s o r
g u a r d i a n s ?
A I d o n ’ t know w h e th e r t h e y a l l were o r n o t . I know
t h a t one c a l l e d me and I went down t h e r e w i t h h e r , her l i t t l e
b o y was s i c k and t h e y hadn ’ t even p r o c e s s e d him and t h e y l e t
t h e l i t t l e boy o r t h e l i t t l e g i r l o u t and t h a t i s t h a t was
i n t h e hands o f our j u v e n i l e j u d g e who, I d o n ’ t know t h e
d e t a i l s o r f a c t s a b o u t i t , but t h a t ’ s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g and
t h a t ’ s what I hope b e c a u s e we knew t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n wer e not
r e s p o n s i b l e b e c a u s e t h e y wer e b e i n g l e d on by a g i t a t o r s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , now I move t h a t t h a t l a t t e r s t a t e m e n t be
s t r i c k e n , Your Honor .
Q In o t h e r words when you answered Mr. W a t k i n s ’
q u e s t i o n you d i d n ’ t know what t h e f a c t s w e r e , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A I d o n ’ t know what p a r t i c u l a r q u e s t i o n you a r e
t a I k i n g a b o ut .
Q The q u e s t i o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e way i n w h i ch t h e
A. Thompson, Recr 258 .
m i no r s were h an d l e d by y o u r p o l i c e o f f i c e r s ?
A Not i n d e t a i l e x c e p t t h a t t h e g e n e r a l i n s t r u c t i o n s
wer e i f p o s s i b l e w h i c h o f c o u r s e as t h e j u d g e I d o n ’ t t a k e up
( T152) a n y t h i n g w i t h Judge G u e r n s e y , d i d n ’ t meet w i t h him, t h a t the
m in or s were l e t o u t w i t h o u t any c h a r g e and I b e l i e v e t h a t
t h e y were l e t out e x c e p t one n i g h t I b e l i e v e t h a t t he y l e t
out 30 and t h e y i m m e d i a t e l y t o o k t h o s e 30 out t o t h e NACP
r a l l y and l e t them p ar a de and show them what had happened so
as t o s t i r up more d e m o n s t r a t o r s f o r t h e next d a y .
Q Now i s i t y our t e s t i m o n y t h a t o f y o u r kn owl ed ge you
know t h a t a l l t h e minors t h a t have been a r r e s t e d i n c o n n e c t i o n
w i t h t h e s e d e m o n s t r a t i o n s by t h e J a c k s o n P o l i c e have been
t u r n e d l o o s e on t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e i r p a r e n t s o r g u a r d i a n s ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
May i t p l e a s e t h e C o u r t , I o b j e c t t o t h a t . He has
l e d t h e man t o b e l i e v e he i s q u e s t i o n i n g him a b o u t my q u e s t i o n
w h i ch r e f e r r e d t o o n l y one group o f a r r e s t s o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y
300 wh ich o c c u r r e d on May 3 l s t , 1963 and to no o t h e r a r r e s t s
i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
BY THE COURT:
I w i l l l e t him answer i f he knows.
A I d o n ’ t know t h e d e t a i l s . I know t h a t t h a t was
t h e g e n e r a l p o l i c y o f Judge G u e r n s e y . Somet imes where t h e
mother and f a t h e r wou ld come down t h e r e and wo ul d l e a v e t h e
A. Thompson, R e c r . 259 .
c h i l d f o r c o r r e c t i v e a c t i o n but t h a t would have t o be o b t a i n e d
f r om Judge Guernsey or t h e r e c o r d s .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W e l l , now t h e s e c h i l d r e n were i n t h e c u s t o d y o f
(T153) y o u r P o l i c e Department w e r e n ’ t t h e y ?
A But t h e y d o n ’ t have any r e a l c o n t r o l o v e r the
l e t t i n g them out u n t i l I b e l i e v e t h a t g o e s t h r o u g h t h e j u v e
n i l e j u d g e .
Q And t h a t j u v e n i l e j u d g e i s an o f f i c e r o f t he C i t y
o f J a c k s o n ?
A No s i r , he i s an e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l , he i s a c o u n t y
j u d g e .
Q He i s a c o u n t y o f f i c i a l ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t , c o u n t y and s t a t e I b e l i e v e .
Q Now as a m a t t e r o f f a c t , Mayor Thompson, t h e p l a i n
f a c t o f t h e m a t t e r i s t h a t t h e p o l i c y has been t o h o l d w i t h
o u t r e l e a s e and w i t h o u t t r i a l any p e r s o n under t h e age o f 18
who i s a r r e s t e d t w i c e . I s n ’ t t h a t r i g h t , Mayor Thompson?
A I d o n ’ t know. I d o n ’ t know. I t h i n k t h a t would
be a good p o l i c y , but as I s a i d f a c t s c o u l d come a l o n g t h e r e
l i k e one l i t t l e e i g h t y e a r o l d boy was t r y i n g t o g e t i n w i t h
t h e group and t h e o f f i c e r kept on s h o v i n g him away and f i n a l l y
he g o t i n t o t h e wagon and b r o u g h t on down by m i s t a k e and t h e y
g o t him home j u s t as q u i c k l y as t h e y c o u l d .
A. Thompson, R e c r . 260 .
Q W e l l , I am not t a l k i n g a bo ut o n e e i g h t y e a r o l d .
A I mean t h e r e a r e m i s t a k e s t h a t c o u l d happen , and
f a c t s c o u l d a l t e r d i f f e r e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
Q W e l l , would you r e g a r d i t as a m i s t a k e t o h o l d
w i t h o u t bond and w i t h o u t t r i a l j u v e n i l e s b e c a u s e t h e y had
(T154) been a r r e s t e d i n d e m o n s t r a t i o n s t w i c e ?
A I w o u l d n ’ t know a n y t h i n g a b o u t t h a t . That would
have t o be h an d l e d by Judge Guernsey and he s e t s t h o s e p a r t i c u
l a r r u l e s and d o e s a m a r v e l o u s j o b .
Q W e l l , now t h i s was not t h e n i f done p ur su an t to the
p o l i c i e s w h i ch you gave i n s t r u c t i o n s w h i c h you gave t o y o ur
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
I f i t p l e a s e t h e C o u r t , I o b j e c t t o t h a t f o r t he
r e c o r d i n t h i s c a s e d o e s n ’ t show t h a t t h a t o c c u r r e d . I t ’ s a
h y p o t h e t i c a l f a c t u a l s i t u a t i o n which t h e Mayor says he d o e s n ’ t
know and------
BY THE COURT:
Of c o u r s e i f he d o e s n ’ t know t h a t ’ s t he answer t o
i t and t h a t w i l l end t h e i n q u i r y . I d o n ’ t know wh et her he
knows a b o u t i t . I f he d o e s I w i l l l e t him answer i t .
A What ’ s y o u r q u e s t i o n ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q My q u e s t i o n i s wh e t h e r o r n o t h o l d i n g w i t h o u t r e l e a s e
A. Thompson, Recr 261 .
( T1 55)
t o t h e i r p a r e n t s o r on bond o t h e r w i s e j u v e n i l e s a r r e s t e d
t w i c e was pursu an t to t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s t o y our p o l i c e ?
A No, t h a t , you c a n ’ t i n s t r u c t Judge Guernsey about
a n y t h i n g . He has t o h a n d l e e v e r y p a r t i c u l a r c a s e as he s e e s
i t . He d o e s n ’ t pay any more a t t e n t i o n t o the P o l i c e D e p a r t
ment t h a t he would t o me.
Q Now t h a t p l a c e o f c u s t o d y t h a t you have a t t h e
f a i r g r o u n d s t h a t you d e s c r i b e d a t t h e o u t s e t t h a t ’ s under t h e
c u s t o d y o f y o u , t h a t ’ s under t h e c h a r g e o f y o u r P o l i c e De p ar t
ment i s n ’ t i t ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
Q And i s n i t i t t r u e t h a t t h e r e a r e j u v e n i l e s b e i n g
h e l d t h e r e who a r e not r e l e a s e d e i t h e r on a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e i r
p a r e n t s o r on bond by y o u r p o l i c e b e c a u s e t h e y have been
a r r e s t e d t w i c e ?
A I would not know o t h e r t h a n t h a t i f t h e r e a r e i t
i s b e c a u s e o f Judge G u e r n s e y ’ s o r d e r s and no t by mine o r the
P o l i c e De p ar t me nt .
Q So you have i s s u e d no such o r d e r ?
A I have n o t .
Q And your C h i e f o f P o l i c e h a s n ’ t ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l . I have not i s s u e d t h a t o r d e r to
t h e C h i e f o f P o l i c e o r a n y o n e .
Q Now w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e m a t t e r o f t h e s t a t e s t a t u t e s
A. Thompson, Recr 262 .
(T156)
I t a k e i t , Mr. Mayor , t h a t you t o o k an o a t h t o u p ho l d t h e
c o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f t h e S t a t e o f M i s s i s s i p p i . I s t h a t
c o r r e c t ?
A And t he Uni te d S t a t e s .
Q And o f t h e U ni t e d S t a t e s and I t a k e i t t h a t i n y o ur
15 y e a r s as Mayor you have e n d e a v o r e d to f o l l o w t h a t o a t h . I s
t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A Y e s .
Q So t h a t y o u r a c t i o n s have been i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
y o u r judgment o f t h e laws o f M i s s i s s i p p i and t h e Uni ted
S t a t e s . I s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A I have t r i e d t o do t h e b e s t I have and c o u l d . There
a r e so many d i f f e r e n t a n g l e s i n v o l v e d i n b e i n g t h e mayor o f
any c i t y , t h e r e a r e c o n f l i c t i n g e l e m e n t s . I have done t h e
b e s t I c o u l d f o r f o u r t e e n and a h a l f y e a r s to b u i l d a good
c i t y and t o m a i n t a i n p e a c e and harmony—
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Now, Mr. Mayor ,
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) t r y i n g t o a b i d e by laws even t h a t c o n
f l i c t . As you know and I know i t s an i m p o s s i b l e j o b t o do
e x a c t l y r i g h t but t o do t h e b e s t I c a n .
Q I b e l i e v e you t e s t i f i e d t h a t i n answer t o Mr.
W a t k i n s ’ q u e s t i o n t h a t m er c h a n t s and o t h e r p e r s o n s i n t he
C i t y o f J a c k s o n were f r e e t o t r a d e and employ whomever t h e y
c h o s e ?
A. Thompson, Recr 263 .
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
Q You so t e s t i f i e d d i d you n o t ?
A T hat ’ s r i g h t .
Q Now d i d you know when you made t h a t gave t h a t
t e s t i m o n y t h a t some o f y o ur p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a r r e s t e d f o r t r e s
p as s a t l e a s t f o u r p e r s o n s i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n on o r a bo ut
May 2 9 , 1963 i n v i o l a t i o n t h e y s a i d o f t h e s t a t e t r e s p a s s
s t a t u t e and p r o s e c u t e d them and t h e y we r e f i n e d i n a f a s h i o n
( T1 5 7) w h i c h was s p e c i f i c a l l y d e c l a r e d t o be i n v a l i d by t h e Supreme
Court o f t h e Uni ted i n P e t e r s o n v s . G r e e n v i l l e ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
We o b j e c t to t h a t as not o n l y c a l l i n g f o r a c o n
c l u s i o n o f law but as b e i n g an i n c o r r e c t s t a t e m e n t o f t h e
law and t h a t kind o f a l e g a l q u e s t i o n can l e a d t o n o t h i n g but
c o n f u s i o n .
BY THE COURT:
I t h i n k t h a t i s s o me t hi ng t h a t you can a d d r e s s t o
t h e Court t h r o u g h c o u n s e l so I w i l l s u s t a i n t h e o b j e c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now when you made y o u r s t a t e m e n t t h a t m e rc ha nt s and
o t h e r s wer e f r e e t o t r a d e and employ p e o p l e w i t h o u t r e g a r d t o
r a c e you made i t w i t h t h e f u l l r e a l i z a t i o n d i d you n o t , Mayor
Thompson, t h a t J a c k s o n p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n a r e
w h o l l y s e g r e g a t e d r a c i a l l y . You knew t h a t d i d n ’ t y ou?
A. Thompson, R e c r . 264 .
( T1 58)
A That w h a t , J a c k s o n ’ s what?
Q J a c k s o n ’ s p l a c e s o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n —
A ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Wait a m i n u t e , I had t o c l e a r my
t h r o a t . J a c k s o n ’ s what?
Q ( C o n t i n u i n g ) J a c k s o n ’ s p l a c e s o f p u b l i c accommoda
t i o n a r e w h o l l y s e g r e g a t e d on t h e b a s i s o f r a c e ?
A No .
Q They a r e n o t ?
No .
Q I s i t y o ur t e s t i m o n y a f t e r f i f t e e n y e a r s as Mayor
o f J a c k s o n t h a t t he y a r e not r a c i a l l y s e g r e g a t e d ?
A Not a l l o f them.
Q W e l l , you name me t h e o n e s t h a t a r e n ’ t .
A I c o u l d go ahead and name many o f them, t h e zoo f o r
f o r t y y e a r s —
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
I t p l e a s e t h e C o u r t , t h e Mayor i s assumi ng p u b l i c
a c c o m m o d a t i o n s means p u b l i c f a c i l i t i e s such as p a r k s . I wis h
c o u n s e l would use t h e word p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s d e a l i n g w i t h
t h e p u b l i c i f t h a t ’ s what he i s t a l k i n g a b o u t .
BY THE COURT:
You might j u s t c l e a r y o ur q u e s t i o n u p .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I c e r t a i n l y w i l l be g l a d t o p r o v i d e t h e p h r a s e .
A. Thompson, R e c r . 265 .
Q By p l a c e o f p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n I mean r e s t a u
r a n t s , t h e a t e r s , h o t e l s , i n n s , t a v e r n s and s i m i l a r p l a c e s as
t h e p h r a s e i s o r d i n a r i l y used i n t h e law o f M i s s i s s i p p i .
A W e l l , I c o n s i d e r t h o s e as p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s .
Those a r e m a t t e r s which have c r e a t e d q u i t e a c o n t r o v e r s y
be twe en t h e NAACP l e a d e r s and me b e c a u s e I t a k e no c o n t r o l
o v e r them w h a t s o e v e r o t h e r than t o g u a r a n t e e t o do t h a t t h e y
can do as t h e y see f i t .
Q W e l l , now my q u e s t i o n o f you was w h et he r o r not
when you gave t h e answer you gave t o Mr. W a t k i n s ’ q u e s t i o n
( T159) w h e th e r you knew t h a t a l l such p l a c e s i n J a c k s o n were r a c i a l l y
s e g r e g a t ed?
A I would not know w h et he r a l l o f them a r e or n o t .
Q Do you know o f any wh ich a r e n o t ?
A I would not know wh et her t h e y a r e o r n o t .
Q W e l l , now do you know o f any t h a t a r e not r a c i a l l y
s egr egat ed?
A I would not know s p e c i f i c a l l y o f each p a r t i c u l a r
b u s i n e s s . I know what t h e y can do under my i n s t r u c t i o n s .
Q And you d o n ’ t know and i t s y o u r t e s t i m o n y and you
have be en Mayor o f J a c k s o n f o r f i f t e e n y e a r s and i t s y o ur
t e s t i m o n y t h a t you d o n ’ t know w h et he r o r not t he p l a c e s o f
p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n i n J a c k s o n a r e a r e r a c i a l l y s e g r e g a t e d ?
A You mean t h e h o t e l s and-----
A. Thompson, R e c r . 266 .
Q ( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) The r e s t a u r a n t s and t h e a t e r s and
t h e i n n s and t h e t a v e r n s and t h e m o t e l s and so on?
A Tho se a r e .
Q They a r e r a c i a l l y s e g r e g a t e d ?
A Those a r e t h e o n e s you have named.
Q They a r e a l l r a c i a l l y s e g r e g a t e d a r e n ’ t t h e y ?
A Those as f a r as I know a r e o p e r a t e d as t h e y see f i t .
Q But t he y a r e r a c i a l l y s e g r e g a t e d ?
A Depends upon y our i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . The o n l y t h i n g
t h a t I can say i s t h a t I d o n ’ t go around and i n s p e c t e v e r y o n e
o f t hem. They can o p e r a t e t h e i r b u s i n e s s j u s t e x a c t l y as t h e y
( T1 60) see f i t w i t h o u t any r e g a r d t o w h e t h e r t h e y h av e-----
BY THE COURT :
We a r e g o i n g t o have o r d e r i n t h i s Court Room. I f
t h e s e p e o p l e want t o be s p e c t a t o r s you w i l l have to be q u e i t .
We a r e not r u n n i n g a c i r c u s . A l l r i g h t . Go a h e a d .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) wh e t h e r t h e y s e l l t o w h i t e , w h e th e r
t h e y s e l l t o c o l o r e d , w h e t h e r t h e y s e l l t o c o l o r e d and w h i t e ,
w h e th e r t h e y employ w h i t e , w h e th e r t h e y employ c o l o r e d .
T h a t ’ s t h e o n l y t h i n g I know. I s t a y i n my o f f i c e 15 h o u r s a
d a y . I go t h e r e e a r l y and I g e t o u t a t s ev e n and e i g h t o ’ c l o c k
a t n i g h t . I d o n ’ t g et t o go a ro un d a n y w h e r e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Do you know o f any h o t e l i n t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
A. Thompson, Recr 267 .
( T1 6 1)
which p r o v i d e s a c c o m m o d a t i o n s f o r b o th w h i t e and c o l o r e d
p e o p l e ?
A Any b u s i n e s s can do as i t w i s h e s . I —
BY ATTORNEY MING:
( I n t e r r u p t i n g ) Your Honor , I move t h a t t h a t be
s t r i c k e n as not r e s p o n s i v e .
BY THE COURT:
I t h i n k you o ug ht t o answer h i s q u e s t i o n , Mayor .
A I do not know.
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q You d o n ’ t know wh et her t h e r e a r e any?
A I d o n ’ t know.
Q You d o n ’ t know o f any do y o u?
A I d o n ’ t know o f a n y .
BY THE COURT:
W e l l , I d o n ’ t know o f a n y , c o u n s e l , i f t h a t h e l p s
y o u . I have l i v e d h e r e s i n c e 1 9 2 4 .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Thank y o u , Your Honor .
Q Do you know o f any r e s t a u r a n t w h i ch a ccommoda tes
b o t h w h i t e and c o l o r e d p e o p l e i n t he C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A I d o n ’ t know o f a n y .
Q Do you know o f any t a v e r n s o r m o t e l s t h a t accommo
d a t e b o t h w h i t e and c o l o r e d p e o p l e ?
A. Thompson, R e c r . 268 .
( T 16 2)
A I d o n ’ t know o f any but t h e y can t h e y have t h e
a u t h o r i t y as f a r as t h e o f f i c i a l o r d e r i s c o n c e r n e d .
Q Now when y o u r p o l i c e o f f i c e r s on o r a bo ut May 29,
1 9 63 , a r r e s t e d f o u r p e r s o n s i n Pr im os R e s t a u r a n t on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t who sought t o p r o t e s t t h a t s i t u a t i o n and c h a r g e d them
w i t h c o m m i t t i n g t r e s p a s s was t h a t i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h y our
o r d e r s t o y our P o l i c e Department?
A I d i d n ’ t s p e c i f i c a l l y o r d e r them to a r r e s t them at
t h a t p a r t i c u l a r t i m e but when t h e y a r r e s t e d them t h e r e t h e y
b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e y were v i o l a t i n g t h e law and were law v i o
l a t o r s and a r r e s t e d them f o r t h a t p a r t i c u l a r r e a s o n .
Q And was t h a t c o n s i s t e n t w i t h y o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s to
them?
A We d i d n ’ t go i n t o d e t a i l s a b o u t i t but where as I
have s a i d r e p e a t e d l y i f P r i mo s o r a n y b o d y e l s e wanted to
s e r v e them t h a t was up t o them. I f t h e y c a l l f o r t h e p o l i c e
t o t a k e them away t h e p o l i c e would t a k e them away.
Q And t h a t would be c o n s i s t e n t w i t h y o ur i n s t r u c t i o n s
to t h e P o l i c e Department?
A That would be c o n s i s t e n t w i t h my i n s t r u c t i o n s —
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have no f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s .
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) and t h a t would o v e r r u l e any o t h e r
o r d i n a n c e o r a n y t h i n g i n t h a t r e s p e c t .
A. Thompson, R e d i r . 269 .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Q Mr. Mayor , do you know how many p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s
on C a p i t o l S t r e e t employ c o l o r e d p e o p l e ?
A No s i r .
Q Do you know how many p r i v a t e b u s i n e s s e s on C a p i t o l
S t r e e t do b u s i n e s s w i t h c o l o r e d p e o p l e ?
A No s i r .
Q Do you know how many o f them employ w h i t e p e o p l e ?
A No s i r .
Q And do b u s i n e s s w i t h w h i t e p e o p l e ?
A No s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s a l l .
(T163) BY ATTORNEY MING:
May t h e r e c o r d show so f a r as t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e
c o n c e r n e d t h e Mayor i s e x c u s e d .
BY THE COURT:
A l l r i g h t .
( W i t n e s s e x c u s e d . )
BY THE COURT:
A l l r i g h t . Who w i l l you have?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
The S h e r i f f G i l f o y
J . R . G i l f o y , C r . 2 70 .
SHERIFF J . R . GILFOY c a l l e d as an a d v e r s e w i t n e s s
by t h e p l a i n t i f f s , was sworn and t e s t i f i e d as f o l l o w s :
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q W i l l you s t a t e y our name and a d d r e s s p l e a s e ?
A J . R. G i l f o y , 3759 Kings Highway, J a c k s o n .
Q And you a r e t h e S h e r i f f o f Hinds County?
A That i s c o r r e c t .
Q How l o n g have you o c c u p i e d t h a t o f f i c e ?
A S i n c e J a n u a r y , 1 9 60 .
Q And t h a t I t a k e i t i s an e l e c t i v e o f f i c e . I s t h a t
c o r r e c t ?
(T164)
A T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t .
Q E l e c t i v e i n t h e c o u n t y , i n Hinds Count y?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
Q And the C i t y o f J a c k s o n i s a p a r t o f Hinds C o u nt y ,
i s t h a t c o r r e c t , S h e r i f f ?
A That ’ s r i g h t .
Q Now c a l l i n g y o u r a t t e n t i o n t o t h e p e r i o d f r om May
25 t o d a t e have you had any o c c a s i o n s p e c i a l l y t o a s s i g n
s h e r i f f ’ s d e p u t i e s t o t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A We d o n ’ t a s s i g n them t o the C i t y o f J a c k s o n , no s i r .
Q May I r e s t a t e my q u e s t i o n . Did you b e t w e e n May
2 5 t h , 1963 and t h e p r e s e n t t ime s p e c i a l l y a s s i g n d e p u t i e s to
J . R . G i l f o y , Cr . 271 .
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A No, we d o n ’ t a s s i g n d e p u t i e s t o t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n .
The S h e r i f f has h i s own f u n c t i o n . I t s p r e t t y g e n e r a l l y
e s t a b l i s h e d here t h a t t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n e n f o r c e s t h e law
w i t h i n t h e c i t y and t h e n i f t h e y need h e l p we h e l p them and
i n t u r n t h e y h e l p u s . I t s a mutual t h i n g .
Q W e l l , have you had o c c a s i o n b et we en May 2 5 t h , 1 963 ,
and t h e p r e s e n t t i m e t o a s s i g n p e r s o n n e l o f t h e S h e r i f f ’ s
o f f i c e t o work w i t h t h e p o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A We h a v e .
Q How many such p e o p l e have you a s s i g n e d ?
A W e l l , 4 2 .
Q 4 2 . Were t h e s e p e o p l e p l a c e d under t h e command o f
t h e C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n ?
A W e l l , t h e C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n
w o u ld t e l l me what h i s i n t e n t i o n s wer e and I w o u ld command
(T165) o u r own p e o p l e . I was t h e r e p e r s o n a l l y .
Q You we r e t h e r e p e r s o n a l l y ?
A R i gh t .
Q So t h a t r a t h e r t han t h e r e b e i n g S h e r i f f ’ s d e p u t i e s
u n d e r t h e Command o f t h e C h i e f o f P o l i c e o f J a c k s o n t h e y were
under y o ur command?
A C o r r e c t .
Q And t h a t was t r u e a t a l l o f t h e t i m e s b e tw ee n May
J . R. G i l f o y , Cr 272 .
2 5t h and t h e p r e s e n t t i m e ?
A T h a t f s c o r r e c t .
Q Now what o r d e r s d i d you g i v e y our d e p u t i e s ?
A W e l l , we, on which s p e c i f i c t ime now a r e you t a l k
i n g a b o u t ?
Q A l l o f my q u e s t i o n s a r e l i m i t e d to t h e p e r i o d
b e tw ee n May 2 5 t h , 1 9 6 3 , and t h e p r e s e n t t ime and t h e y a r e a l l
t o be t a k e n i f you w i l l as b e i n g q u e s t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t to
t h e m a t t e r s which a r e r e f e r r e d t o i n t h e c o m p l a i n t . You a r e
a p a r t y t o t h i s l a w s u i t a r e you n o t , S h e r i f f ?
A I d o n ’ t know whe ther I am or n o t .
Q You have been s e r v e d w i t h a summons and co p y o f
t h e c o m p l a i n t h a v e n ’ t you?
A Y es , I h a v e .
Q Have you rea d t h e c o m p l a i n t ?
A No , I have not .
Q W e l l , my q u e s t i o n , Your Honor , so I d o n ’ t have t o
( T166) r e p e a t i t f o r each q u e s t i o n i s l i m i t e d to May 2 5 , 1 9 63 , to
t h e p r e s e n t t ime and my q u e s t i o n s a r e w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
a r r e s t s o f so c a l l e d p i c k e t s and d e m o n s t r a t o r s d u r i n g t h a t
p e r i o d ?
A We had n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e a r r e s t o f t h e p i c k e t s ,
our f o r c e d i d n ’ t . We had n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e a r r e s t o f t h e
p i c k e t s .
Q In o t h e r words t h e S h e r i f f ’ s p e o p l e have not
( T 16 7)
a r r e s t e d any p i c k e t s ?
A R i gh t .
Q W e l l , have t h e S h e r i f f ’ s p e o p l e made any a r r e s t s
o f d e m o n s t r a t o r s be t we en A p r i l , May 2 5 t h and t h e p r e s e n t t i m e ?
A No, o t h e r t h a n as a b ac k up f o r c e f o r t h e C i t y
P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t .
Q I wonder i f you would e x p l a i n t o us what you mean
by t h a t t e c h n i c a l t e r m , S h e r i f f ?
A A l l r i g h t . Now I c a n ’ t g i v e you t h e d a t e s . I w i l l
name you. t h e s p e c i f i c i n s t a n c e s . On W h i t f i e l d M i l l s Road ,
W h i t f i e l d M i l l s S t r e e t i s one i n f r o n t o f t h e s c h o o l b u i l d i n g
t h e r e , t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l . Number two was on F a r i s h S t r e e t .
Number 3 was out here on r i g h t o f f o f Lynch S t r e e t . A l l t h r e e
t i m e s we wer e c a l l e d and t o l d t h a t t h e r e were a g r e a t number
o f p e o p l e coming r i g h t down the m i d d l e o f t h e s t r e e t b l o c k i n g
t h e s t r e e t and i n each c a s e I f o u n d t h a t t o be t r u e so our men
were used as a back up f o r c e f o r t h e C i t y P o l i c e .
Q W e l l , now—
A ( C o n t i n u i n g ) In each o f t h e s e i n s t a n c e s t h e e n t i r e
s t r e e t was f u l l o f p e o p l e f r o m one s i d e t o t h e o t h e r a d v a n c i n g
t o w a r d t h e C i t y p o l i c e who had a l i n e a c r o s s t h e s t r e e t . We
came i n b e h i n d t h e C i t y P o l i c e and t h e Highway P a t r o l came i n
b e h i n d us t o keep law and o r d e r .
Q Now l e t ’ s t a k e t h e o c c a s i o n on F a r i s h S t r e e t I
J , R. G i l f o y , C r . 2 73 .
J . R. G i l f o y , Cr . 274 .
b e l i e v e was one t h a t you r e f e r r e d t o . How many p e o p l e were
t h e r e ?
A I t would be hard t o say b e c a u s e I d o n ’ t , I am
s ur e not o v e r a s ma l l p o r t i o n o f them c e r t a i n l y a s m a l l p e r
c e n t a g e o f them were a r r e s t e d but i t was a s o l i d mass o f
p e o p l e up t h e s t r e e t t h e r e .
Q But you c a n ’ t t e l l us how many?
A No, nobody i n t h e w o r l d c o u l d t e l l you how many
wer e t h e r e s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , I w i l l move t h a t t h a t be s t r i c k e n .
A Not u n l e s s t h e p e r s o n t h a t s e n t them t h e r e knows.
Q My q u e s t i o n was whether he c o u l d t e l l us how many
p e o p l e t h e r e w e r e . His answer was t h a t n ob od y c o u l d .
Q The man t h a t s en t them t h e r e t h a t d i r e c t e d them
t o go o u t t h e r e and c a u s e t h i s i n c i d e n t c o u l d p r o b a b l y t e l l
y o u . I c o u l d n ’ t .
Q Now what were t h e s e p e o p l e d o i n g ?
A These p e o p l e were a d v a n c i n g t o w a r d s the p o l i c e i n
( T 16 8) mass f r o m one s i d e o f t h e s t r e e t to t h e o t h e r c o m p l e t e l y you
c o u l d n ’ t have d r i v e n a b i c y c l e down t h r o u g h t h e r e , w a s n ’ t
room enough f o r a n y t h i n g , t h a t ’ s when we g o t t h e r e p e o p l e
coming r i g h t t o w a r d s t h e p o l i c e m e n who had a l i n e a c r o s s t h e
s t r e e t t o i n t e r c e p t them.
J . R . G i l f o y , C r . 275 .
Q Did t h e y have any s i g n s o r b a n n e r s ?
A I saw some v a r i o u s s i g n s w h i c h I p a i d no a t t e n t i o n
t o .
Q W e l l , what d i d t h o s e s i g n s say?
A I d o n ’ t know. I d i d n ’ t as I say we were t h e r e t o
b a c k up t h e p o l i c e and t h a t ’ s e x a c t l y what we d i d and we a l s o
f u r n i s h e d our paddy wagon to h e l p haul them away.
Q Did you make any i n q u i r y as t o what t h e i n t e n t i o n
o f t h e s e p e o p l e was?
A No s i r , d i d not .
Q Did you t a k e p o s s e s s i o n o f any o f t h e s i g n s or
b a n n e r s w h i ch t h e y c a r r i e d ?
A Did n o t . They were no t a r r e s t e d by our p e o p l e .
They we r e a r r e s t e d by t h e C i t y P o l i c e .
Q They a l s o a l l c a r r i e d A mer i ca n f l a g s d i d n ’ t t h e y ,
S h e r i f f ?
A C o u l d n ’ t t e l l you t h a t .
Q I am s o r r y ?
A C o u l d n ’ t t e l l you t h a t .
( T16 9) Q Now do I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t y o ur d e p u t i e s d i d n ’ t
a r r e s t a ny b o d y ?
A That ’ s r i g h t .
Q Do I a l s o u n d e r s t a n d you to t e s t i f y t h a t y o u r
d e p u t i e s have not a r r e s t e d any bo dy d u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d ?
J . R . G i l f o y , C r . 276 .
A No, i t s be en s t r i c t l y a ba ck up f o r c e f o r t h e C i t y
P o l i c e .
Q Now you r e f e r r e d to W h i t f i e l d M i l l S t r e e t ?
A Road I b e l i e v e t h e y c a l l i t , may be s t r e e t .
Q Or r o a d . Now when was t h a t ?
A I b e l i e v e , I c o u l d n ’ t g i v e you t h e d a t e s , I
c o u l d n ’ t , i t was a t L a n i e r High S c h o o l t h e o n l y i n c i d e n t we
have had out t h e r e t h a t I know o f . Then t h e next one was on
F a r i s h S t r e e t .
Q Now sup po se you t e l l me what y o u r p o l i c e o f f i c e r s
o r d e p u t i e s d i d on t h a t o c c a s i o n ?
A A l l r i g h t . We g o t word t h a t t h e y had p u l l e d one
o f t h e p o l i c e m e n i n t o t h e b u i l d i n g o u t t h e r e and slammed t he
d o o r down on him t h e s t u d e n t s and when t h e y d i d I s en t e v e r y
man a t my d i s p o s a l out t h e r e w i t h e v e r y t h i n g we had b e c a u s e
I f e l t t h a t i t must be a b o u t to r e a c h mob p r o p o r t i o n and when
I g o t o u t t h e r e sure enough t h e r e was marches s t a r t e d and t h e y
were pushed b ack i n t o t h e s c h o o l and t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f
t h e s c h o o l came and t a l k e d t o me and s a i d t h a t he t h o u g h t i t
would be w i s e t o l e t them out one c l a s s a t t h e t i m e so as and
( T 1 7 0) would we a l l l e t them t h r o u g h i f t h e y d i d . I s a i d we a r e not
o ut h er e t o p e r s e c u t e a n y b o d y , i f you want to l e t them out
one c l a s s a t t h e t i me l e t them g o . Q u i t e a number o f p e o p l e
came up t h e r e and a s k e d b o t h C a p t i n Ray a n d , I mean C h i e f Ray
J . R . G i l f o y , Cr 277 .
(T171)
and I i f we wou ld t a k e them up to t h e d o o r and l e t them g e t
t h e i r c h i l d r e n , t h e y d i d n ’ t want t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n v o l v e d in
a n y t h i n g l i k e t h a t , and we d i d i n each i n s t a n c e .
Q In o t h e r words what you d id was to t a k e t h e d e p u t i e s
i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h C i t y P o l i c e to s u r ro un d a h i gh s c h o o l and
keep t h e s t u d e n t s i n i t , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A No, I d i d n ’ t say t h a t . When we g o t t h e r e the
s t u d e n t s had a l r e a d y been b a c k e d up i n t o i t and had had a
p o l i c e m a n on t h e i n s i d e , had p u l l e d him i n t h e r e w i t h t hem.
Q In o t h e r words t h e s t u d e n t s wer e i n s i d e t h e s c h o o l
when you g ot t h e r e ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t .
BY THE COURT :
Q What do you mean t h e y p u l l e d him i n ?
A One o f t h e p o l i c e m e n , I have f o r g o t t e n h i s name,
J u d g e , but t h e y g ra b be d him and p u l l e d him i n s i d e t h e s c h o o l
and slammed t h e d o o r down on him.
Q The s t u d e n t s ?
A Yes s i r .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Who d i d ?
A I d o n ’ t know. I j u s t t o l d you i t was some o f t h e
#
s t u d e n t s t h e r e t h a t d i d i t . There w a s n ’ t a ny one i n t h e r e
e x c e p t s t u d e n t s t h a t I know a n y t h i n g a b o u t , I n e v e r saw a n y bo dy
J „ R. G i l f o y , C r . 278 .
come out o f t h e f e o t h e r t ha n s t u d e n t s and t e a c h e r s .
Q You d o n ’ t know who d i d i t ?
A No, I do not .
Q And i t c e r t a i n l y wa s n ’ t any o f the p l a i n t i f f s i n
\
t h i s l a w s u i t ?
A I d o n ’ t know.
Q And t h e s t u d e n t s were a l l i n s c h o o l when y o ur
d e p u t i e s g ot t h e r e ?
A Yes
Q And how many p o l i c e o f f i c e r s wer e t h e r e ?
A I d o n ’ t know.
Q W e l l , now how many d e p u t i e s d i d you t a k e t h e r e ?
A 42 .
Q Were t h e r e more p o l i c e o f f i c e r s t ha n t h e r e were
d eput i e s?
A That I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l y o u . I d i d n ’ t co un t them. I
know as soo n as we d r o v e up t h e y s t a r t e d t h r o w i n g b o t t l e s and
t h a t k i nd o f t h i n g t h e s t u d e n t s were a t our paddy wagons and
so f o r t h .
Q From i n s i d e t h e s c h o o l ?
A T h a t ’ s r i g h t . I had one d e p u t y t h a t g o t a f i n g e r
b r o k e n i n t h e d e a l w i t h a b o t t l e t h r o w n .
( T 1 7 2 ) BY THE COURT :
Q What s c h o o l was t h a t ?
J . R . G i l f o y , C r . 27 9.
A L a n i e r . Am I c o r r e c t i n t h a t . I t was L a n i e r on
W h i t f i e l d M i l l s Road , t h a t ’ s r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
Q Now what t ime o f the day o r n i g h t was t h a t ?
A That was j u s t p r i o r t o t h e noon hour when t h e
ro ug h p a r t came on when we went out t h e r e .
Q And what day o f t h e week , do you r e c a l l , S h e r i f f ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t . I made no r e p o r t on i t w h a t e v e r . As
I say we were t h e r e t o a s s i s t t h e p o l i c e .
Q I am t r y i n g t o f i n d out now, S h e r i f f , how many
p o l i c e o f f i c e r s were t h e r e ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l you t h a t . I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l you how
many p e o p l e a r e i n t h a t room o u t t h e r e w i t h o u t c o u n t i n g them
i n d i v i d u a l l y and I d i d n ’ t do t h a t .
Q W e l l , how many, were t h e r e more p o l i c e o f f i c e r s
t h a n d e p u t i e s ?
A I c o u l d n ’ t t e l l y o u .
Q But you t o o k y o u r d e p u t i e s t h e r e t o b ac k up I
b e l i e v e was y o ur p h r a s e ?
A R i g h t .
Q The p o l i c e o f f i c e r s , i s t h a t r i g h t , but you d o n ’ t
know how many p o l i c e o f f i c e r s were t h e r e ? W e l l , how c o u l d
you t e l l whether t h e y needed to be b ac ke d up o r n o t ?
( T1 73) A W e l l , f r o m t h e r e p o r t we had t h e r e had been q u i t e
J . R . G i l f o y , C r . 280 .
a s k i r m i s h o u t t h e r e i n t h e edge o f t h e s t r e e t and a ny t i me
one o f f i c e r i s t a k e n by somebody e l s e i f I had had 150 I
wou ld have s en t them a l l o u t t h e r e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
I have n o t h i n g f u r t h e r .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
No q u e s t i o n s , Your Ho nor .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
May t h e r e c o r d show t h a t S h e r i f f G i l f o y as f a r as
t h e p l a i n t i f f s a r e c o n c e r n e d i s e x c u s e d .
BY THE COURT:
A l l r i g h t .
( W i t n e s s e x c u s e d . )
BY THE COURT:
We w i l l t a k e a r e c e s s u n t i l 1 : 3 0 and I want to
s ee c o u n s e l i m m e d i a t e l y ba ck i n c h a m b e r s .
(At wh ich t i m e c o u r t r e c e s s e d our l u n c h and c o u n s e l met
w i t h t h e Court i n chambers and t h e h e a r i n g o f t h i s c a u s e was
resumed at 1 : 5 0 P . M . )
BY THE COURT:
Did c o u n s e l a c c o m p l i s h a n y t h i n g ?
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Yes s i r , I t h i n k we d i d . You want to s t a t e ,
c o u n s e l , what we p r o p o s e t o do s u b j e c t t o t h e C o u r t ’ s a p p r o v a l .
281 .
( T 1 74) BY ATTORNEY MING:
I wou ld be p e r f e c t l y w i l l i n g t o have you go a h e a d ,
Mr. W a t k i n s . We have not b e en a b l e , G e n e r a l P a t t e r s o n and I
have not be en a b l e to a r r i v e a t an u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h r e s p e c t
t o Count Two but I t h i n k Mr. Wa tk i ns and I have a r r i v e d at an
u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h r e s p e c t t o Count One and Mr. Watkins may
s t a t e h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g .
BY THE COURT :
A l l r i g h t .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
I t i s s t i p u l a t e d by and be t ween c o u n s e l f o r t h e
p l a i n t i f f s and t h e d e f e n d a n t s w i t h r e s p e c t t o C la im One o r
Count One o f t h e c o m p l a i n t t h a t t h e m a t t e r w i l l be s u b m i t t e d
t o t h e Court on t h e t e s t i m o n y t h u s f a r h ea rd i n t h e a c t i o n
t h i s m o r n i n g ; on t he a f f i d a v i t s h e r e t o f o r e f i l e d h e re by
t h e p l a i n t i f f s ; on t h e a f f i d a v i t s h e r e t o f o r e f i l e d h e r e i n
by t h e d e f e n d a n t s and p l a i n t i f f s ’ d e s i r e t o f i l e and we have
no o b j e c t i o n t o t h e i r f i l i n g f o r t h e C o u r t ’ s c o n s i d e r a t i o n a
c o n f o r m e d c o p y o f t h e e n t i r e p r o c e e d i n g s i n t h e Chancery
C ourt o f t h e F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t o f Hinds County i n which
t h e C i t y o f J a c k s o n has o b t a i n e d a t e m p o r a r y i n j u n c t i o n
a g a i n s t c e r t a i n d e f e n d a n t s t h e r e i n named some o f whom a r e
some o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s i n t h i s c a s e f r om d e m o n s t r a t i n g or
e n g a g i n g i n u n l a w f u l b o y c o t t s and o t h e r t y p e s o f d e m o n s t r a t i o n s .
282 .
Now as I u n d e r s t a n d i t c o u n s e l d o e s no t now have i n h i s
(T175) p o s s e s s i o n a c o n f o r m e d c op y o f t h o s e p r o c e e d i n g s i n c l u d i n g
c e r t a i n a c t i o n t a k e n by t h e Supreme Court o f M i s s i s s i p p i
t h e r e i n but t h a t same w i l l be p r o v i d e d and f i l e d as a p ar t
o f t h e p a p e r s t o be c o n s i d e r e d by t h e Court i n t h i s a c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
That i s c o r r e c t , Your Honor . Let me say i n e x p l a n a
t i o n w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e Chancery Court o f Hinds County
m a t t e r t h a t t h e f a c t t h a t we do not have i n our p o s s e s s i o n
s i m p l y we do not have i t at t h i s moment but we w i l l s u p p l y
i t t o t h e Court d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f t h e a f t e r n o o n and i t
w i l l be as Mr. Wa tkins d e s c r i b e d , i t w i l l show t h e p a p e r s ,
t h e d a t e s and t h e a c t i o n t a ke n by t h e Supreme C ourt o f
M i s s i s s i p p i t o d a y .
BY THE COURT :
What has t h e Chancery C ourt d o n e , has i t g i v e n a
w r i t o r been c a l l e d on t o d i s s o l v e t h e w r i t ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t s i r and t h e y d e n i e d t h e m o t i o n to
d i s s o l v e and an a p p l i c a t i o n was made t o t h e Supreme Court
o f M i s s i s s i p p i t o d i s s o l v e i t o r s t a y and t h a t c o u r t d e n i e d
t h a t m o t i o n .
283 .
BY THE COURT:
J us t d e n i e d t h e s t a y ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
They d e n i e d t he m o t i o n to d i s s o l v e o r s t a y .
( T1 76) BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
And remanded the p r o c e e d i n g s t o t h e Cha ncery Court
o f t h e F i r s t J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t o f Hinds C o u n t y , i s t h a t
c o r r e c t ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
No, t h e a c t i o n , Mr. W a t k i n s , t h a t t h e y e n d o r s e d
on t h e p a p e r s was s i m p l y as I s t a t e d and you w i l l have t o
f o r g i v e me, I am t r y i n g t o remember t h e words t h e J u s t i c e
w r o t e on t h e p a p e r s , i t was mo t i o n d e n i e d e n d o r s e d on a
m o t i o n t o d i s s o l v e o r s t a y e x e c u t i o n o f t h e t e m p o r a r y
i n j u n c t i o n .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
W e l l , d i d I m i s u n d e r s t a n d you i n t h e h a l l when
you s a i d t h e y remanded i t t o t h e C ha nc er y C o u r t ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
They d i r e c t e d t h a t t h e p a p e r s be f i l e d w i t h t h e
C h an ce ry C l e r k .
BY ATTORNEY WATKINS:
Of Hinds Co unt y?
284 .
(T 1 7 7 )
BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t and t h e r e a s o n I d i s a g r e e d a bo ut
t h e word remanded as f a r as I am c o n c e r n e d t h e word remand
has a t e c h n i c a l meaning and I d i d not u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e
Supreme Court o f M i s s i s s i p p i had e i t h e r used t h e word or
i n t ended i t .
BY THE COURT :
Did t h e y e n t e r an o r d e r o r a p p e a l ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
They s i m p l y w r o t e a c r o s s t h e f a c e o f t h e mo t i o n
as I s a i d t h e words m o t i o n d e n i e d .
BY THE COURT:
I s t h a t j u s t one o f t h e J u s t i c e s ?
BY ATTORNEY MING:
As I u n d e r s t a n d i t t h e ma tt er was c o n s i d e r e d by
more t h a n one o f t h e J u s t i c e s , i t was c o n s i d e r e d by s i x
o f t h e J u s t i c e s I am a d v i s e d but t h i s o r d e r was i n s c r i b e d
by a s i n g l e j u s t i c e . I t was Mr. J u s t i c e E t h r i d g e .
BY THE COURT :
He i s n o t a p r e s i d i n g o r a c h i e f j u s t i c e .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
W e l l , you can u n d e r s t a n d my h e s i t a t i o n a b o ut
285 .
( T17 8 )
a g r e e i n g t o g e n e r a l i z a t i o n .
BY THE COURT:
You a r e g o i n g t o g i v e me t h a t anyway so I can
s ee what t h e y d i d .
BY ATTORNEY MING:
T h a t ’ s c o r r e c t s i r . We w i l l o f c o u r s e hand a
c o p y t o Mr. Watkins so he w i l l know what i t i s we a r e handing
t o t h e Court .
(The h e a r i n g o f t h i s c a u s e was c o m p l e t e d a t 2 : 0 8 P . M . ,
a f t e r w h i c h t i m e a d i s c u s s i o n o f f t h e r e c o r d was had
b e t we e n c o u n s e l and t h e C o u r t . )
(The f o r e g o i n g t r a n s c r i p t c a r r i e s p r o p e r Court
R e p o r t e r ’ s C e r t i f i c a t e wh ich i s not c o p i e d . here . )