NAACP v. Thompson Transcript of Record Vol. I

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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 May 09, 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  . )

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