That murder led to an infamous murder trial and a mass protest against the trial on May Day 1970, which drew tens of thousands of radicals as well as President Nixon's National Guard to the Green. Williams shows Edmonds persuading other black leaders that they should work with Mayor Lee. Edmonds came to New Haven from the civil rights movement in the South. And Edmonds was right. Listen to the complaints of the people threatening to burn down your city.
Progress can come only from independent, black-controlled organization.
Whites can help. They have no business leading or controlling. The price is too high. Ultimately, by serving as anointed powerbroker for white machine mayors, Edmonds built a vast patronage empire in the city school system. He brought many black New Haveners into the middle class.