Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

17, IMS THE CRUSADER, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Pa««7 SMTHEASTEM GEORGIA CR8SADE FOR VOTERS’AN NEAL REPORT TO THE 7TH A.SH9AL CONVENTION OF DR. P1ARTIR LOUIES KIRil’S SOUTHERN REGIONAL Tlie Soullumiitoni Georgia C'ru- su<ie for Voter* is comprised of the 1st U. S. CongraHKional I dis trict (IK counties) of Georgia. It whs organized in April, 1900 ami became an affiliate of SCLC in September 1901. Its objective is to coordinate the political abilities of the IK counties by organizing a Crusade for Voters in each coun ty whose purposes are: To get ev- | cry eligible citizen registered, to get all registered voters to vote in every election, to interview all Candidates, to keep daily records on all public issues, public offi cials and intake records available to the general public, to operate who want to become First Class Adult Citizenship schools for these citizens, to coordinate the political abilities of all individuals and or ganizations, to foster direct action programs against segregation. The types of programs fostei’- ed by the respective Crusad<> for Voters are naturally determined by the needs and resources of the individual counties. In the past year the Southeastern Georgia Crusade For Voters has conduct- don programs in seven counties, including the surveying of more than 30,000 Negroes and the reg istration of 5,000, Thirty Adult Citizenship schools in seven coun ties, Organized Crusade for Vot ers organizations in nine counties, developed Political Awareness pro grams in five counties, support' e<| four Negroes public office in two counties, Negotiated the ap pointment of more than 20 Ne groes to governmental Hoards, Commissions, and Committees in two counties, negotiated the up grading of many Negroes in gov ernmental positions in one coun ty, Negotiated the hiring of Ne groes in positions previously held by white only in one county, and Conducted a direct Action Pro gram in one county. The Chatham County Crusade For Voters lias been the most ef fective county organization in our district. Through its Political Ac tion program, the following facil ities have been integrated in the City of Savannah and the Coun ty of Chatham, Georgia; (1) Mu nicipal Golf Course, (2) Munici pal Air Port, (3) Public Library, (4) Savannah’s Police Depart ment, (5) City and County Water Fountains, (6) City and County Rest Rooms, (7) Seating in City Police Court, (8) Seating in Coun ty Police Court, (9) City Audito- riium, (10) City Civil Service Ex aminations, (11) City Voter Regis tration Lists (12) County Voter Registration Lists, (13) City Vot ing Polls, (14) County Voting Benjamin tfan Clark’s Day LAST OF THE PEACE BONDS On October 6, 1963, Negroes of •Savannah proclaimed this day Ben jamin Van Clarke’s Day. In tri bute to his leadership in the Sa vannah Freedom Now Movement. Clarke had just been released from the Chatham County Jail- House after spending more than 31 days in confinement. He is the last of the Peace Bonders! The day began with a Mass Meet ing in his honor. At this time he reconfirmed his philosophy in the fight for FREEDOM and total EQUALITY. H e told the people who came out to pay tribute to Clarke added. him, “There comes a time when people get tired. On June 4, 1963, we came together to say to those who have mistreated us so long that we were tired; tired of being kicked about by the feet of oppression; tired of being segrega-1 ted and humiliated. We had no, other choice bus to demonstrate.” The day ended with Clark being guest of honor at the Flamingo Night Club. Thus, we began I anew the fight for Freedom and' total equality becaus c we have two leaders who are willing to suffer, sacrifice and even die foi all of our Freedom. Polls, (15) Seven City Heards, Commissions, and Committees and (16) Fire Department. The Chatham County Crusade For Voters’ Political Action Pro gram was responsible for the up grading of Negroes in the follow ing positions: ( I ) One Detective to Sergeant, (2) Two Patrolmen to Detectives, (3) One Laborer to Water Meter Reader, (4) One La borer to Water Pump Operator, (5) Two Laborers to Heavy Equipment Operators. The Crusade For Voters was not only responsible for Negroes being appointed to the following governmental Boards, Commissions and Committees hut named the ap pointees: Savannah Public Libra ry, Bacon Park Commission, Civ il Defense Commission, Savannah Auditorium Committee, Savannah Recreation Commission, and Advi sory Committee to the Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commis sion. The Crusade For Voters was al so responsible for the hiring of Negroes in the following positions: Additional Negro Policemen ( The number of Negro Policemen in creased from 17 to 25), Negro Firemen, Negro Bus Drivers. The Crusade For Voters con-! ducted its first Direct-Action Pro-1 gram against Segregation this sum mer. This program was under the direct leadership of Hosea L. Williams, President of the Crusade For Voters, who was assisted by: Benjamin Van Clarke, Director of The Crusaders’ Youth Pro-' gram. Activities of the Direct! Action Program consisted of daily morningtrain ing workshop noon I downtown marches and speeches, | nightly mass meetings, nightly j mass marches (After Nightly Meetings), Daily sit-in demonstra-1 tions and daily picketing of cer- ! tain segregated establishments. | These protest demonstrations! we»’e carried out mainly against \ segregated Motels, Motels, Res taurants, Theaters, Employment. I More than 800 arrests were made i under charges of trespassing, un lawful assembly, disobeying an of ficer, inciting riots and interfer ing with an officer in the perform ance of his duty. 26 demonstra- i tors were arrested under Peace Warrants; included were President Hosea L. Williams and Youth Lead- | er Benjamin Van Clarke. Wil-, liams was lodged in jail for a \ $30,000 Bond and was released after 34 days under bend of : $15,550. Youth Leader Benja- ! min Van Clark remains in jail up j to this time under a $15,000 bond, i Williams was later returned to jail for a 5 day sentence being charged with contempt of court for giving his personal opinion publicly of a Municipal Court ver dict dealing with the 26 Peace Warrants. Nineteen of the demonstrators who were arrested i under the Peace Warrants were released from jail after 55 da vs. arter they were given two choices: signing statements repu diating demonstrations or return- i I ing to jail. Out of the KOt) arrested many have been tried. At the present rate su-cullcd Justice is being mended nut. Sentences will range from #100 to $4,500 or 2 months to 0 1 ,. years in prison and 12 years probation. During lb,. period of demonstra tions many Negroes were beaten by Policemen. At least 4 Ne groes were shot by whites. Dem onstrators were frequently gassed by llm Police Department and Ga. Stale Troopers Some demon strators were housed in a disband ed jail, without beds. In some cases Juveniles wore held in cus tody for more than 25 days. Many Negroes lost their jobs, ears and in some few cases, their homes. Although there are many dem onstrators yet to come to trial and it is feared they will not be able to be bonded out because the solicitor will only accept proper ty bonds. Integration of tin* Ho- teD, Motels, Theaters and Bowl ing Alleys will take plac t . before this .Southern Christian Leadership Conference’.- Till Annual Convert 1 lull is ( lo.M'd. A VOTELESS PEOPLE IS A HOPELESS PEOPLE ! VOTER REGISTRA TION KILLS SEGREGA TION ! REGISTER AND VOTE, STOP HOPING ! Phones AD 2-4171— 2-4172 HEARD’S FUNERAL SERVICE New Location, 3020 West Broad Street Savannah, Georgia Handle W. Heard, Owner Mrs. Francis C. Braddy, Mgr Nathaniel B. Braddy, Asst. Mgr. Formerly Located at Monroe Funeral Home Bldg. PHONE AD&ms 4-1634 WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS Funeral Home Ossie H. Williams & Geo. C. Williams, Owners Our Services Dedicated To Meet Your Needs COURTEOUS - REASONABLE 1012 -1014 E. Gwinnett St. Savannah, Ga.