The Twin City star., 1916-08-05
Equal
RIGHTS LEAGUE
President Gunner Issues Call
For Annual Meeting,
RACE TO GET TOGETHER

Leaders In Work For Equal opportuni.
ties and Protection of colored Amer
lean Citizens According to Law Sus-
gest Holding a National Congress.
Conditions Warrant Timely and Con.
csrted Action.
The Rev. Byron Gunner Of Hillburn.
N. Y, president Of the National Equal
Rights league, has issued the following
call for race congress to be held some
time in September. The Rev. Mr.. Gun
ner says:
by the authority vested in me as
president of the National Equal Rights
league l hereby issue this preliminary
call for the ninth annual convention of
said league. The matter of the exact
date and place for the convention is
not yet quite settled, but 1t is very
timely and proper that there be no
further delay in inviting public atten-
ton to the fact that such a convention
Is to be held aud within the next sixty
days.
1T has been widely suggested in view
Of existing unfavorable social, civic and
political conditions confronting us as a
people that the National Equal Rights
league invite and urge all of our people.
in all sections Of the country, to unite
in a great national congress Of colored
Americans and for the special purpose
Of voicing the feelings and opinions Of
the race on those unfavorable condi-
tons now surrounding us in this coun-
try, and also to decide upon the wisest
and best methods for combating color
segregation and all other forms of color
discrimination.
AFTER fifty years of so called free
dom in this country. what is the pre-
vailing condition Of our colored Ameri-
can population? Briefly stated it is
this: Our civil rights have been rem
dered almost futile; we are shamefully
curtailed politically; we are denied
equality before the law; we are not al
lowed equal Industrial opportunities;
our property and our very lives are not
at all secure.
"The black horrors of lynching inno-
cent colOred Americans continue un-
abated, while our federal governments
Indifference toward all these injustices
is but little less than the notification
Of our great war amendments. Through
out the southland, and to more or less
extent in the north, the increasing mil
lions Of our fellow colored Americans
are being more and more reduced to
the pitiable condition Of political serfs
and social outcasts.
IF such conditions do not stir our
souls and our blood, what under heav-
en- can do it? Do not the Industrial op-
portunities denied us, the freedom of
speech and of the press not allowed,
the civic and political rights taken
from us, give sufficient ground and rea-
son for the calling Of such a national
congress Of colored Americans as is
herein suggested? In this fierce era of
controversy and bloodshed' can we be
unmoved?
"While the whole world is wide
awake socially and politically, shall we
sleep? While all other classes and
races are on the verge of social and
political revolutions, shall we be in
different? Since all other groups of
oppressed people are in the stir and
rush Of agitation, is it not high time
that we should at least begin to get on
the move?
"The south is still in the saddle at
our national capital. rushing headlong
with most reckless disregard for the
feelings and rights of ten millions of
loyal, but oppressed colored Americans.
Therefore, let us get together In a
great national congress and fling to
the whole wide world the full story of
our grievances and Of our earnest de-
mands for justice and fair play.
LET all our religious. educational.
social and political leaders among us
heed this call. Let all of our great re-
ligious organizations and lodges and
benevolent societies begin now to plan
to be represented in this proposed con.
gress.
by SO doing we cannot fail to pro.
duce a powerful effect on the public
mind that will greatly help US in our
struggle for justice and freedom.
This congress will be independent
and wider than any present organiza
ton. Its deliberations will not be un
der the Equal Rights league. which
will meet in conjunction. Faithfully
yours, BYRON GUNNER.
president Of the National Equal
Rights league;
WILLIAM MONROE TROTTER.