The Twin City star., 1916-08-19
NATIONAL Equal
RIGHTS LEAGUE
President Gunner Issues Call
For Annual Meeting,
ASKS RACE TO GET TOGETHER

Leaders In Work For Equal opportuni-
ties and Protection Of coIored Amer
lean Citizens According to Law Sus-
esst Holding a National Congress.
Conditions Warrant Timely and Con-
certed Action.
The Rev. Byron Gunner of Hillburn.
N. Y, president of the National Equal
Rights league, has issued the following
call for a 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 convention
Is to be held and within the next sixty
days.
1T has been widely suggested in view
of existing unfavorable social, civic and
political conditions confronting us as
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 unfa eorable condi-
! tions 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 1t 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.
1.-The black horrors of lynching inno-
cent colored Americans continue un-
abated, while our federal governments
Indifference toward all these injustlces
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 Oul
souls and our blood, what under heav
ell 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 taker
from us, give sufficient ground and rea
son for the calling Of such natiOna
congress Of colored Americans as is
herein suggested? In this fierce era o.
controversy and bloodshed' can we bt
unmoved?
while the whole world is wid'
awake socially and politically, shall W.
sleep? While all other classes ant
races are on the verge Of social ant
political revolutions, shall we be In
different? Since all other groups o
oppressed people are in the stir ant
rush of agitation, is 1t not high tim
that we should at least begin to get Of
the move?
"The south is still in the saddle a
our national capital, rushing headlon,
with a most reckless disregard for tn
, feelings and rights Of ten millions o
= loyal, but oppressed colored Americans
Therefore, let us get together in
) great national congress and fling T
the whole wide world the full story o
. our grievances and Of our earnest dc
, mands for justice and fair play.
= LET all our religious, educational
. social and political leaders among u
heed this call Let all Of our great re
ligious organizations and lodges an
I benevolent societies begin now to pla