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

w. ~e F'SS0SA'ou OF SoIoFoo amor.
iean Citizens According to Law sus-
oest Holding a National Congress.
Conditions Warrant Timely and Con-
osrtsd Action.
Tho Rev. Byron Gunner Of Hillburn,
N. T., 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 it is very
timely and proper that there be no
further delay in inviting public atten.
ton to the fact that such a convention
IL to be held and within the next sixty
days.
at has been widely suggested in view
Of existing unfavorable social, civic and
polittcal 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
Americas and for the special purpose
Of voicins the feelings and opinions OF
the race on those unfavorable condi.
lions now surrounding us in this coun.
try, and also to decide upon the wisest
and best methods for combating color
segreearion and all other forms of color
discrimination.
'After fifty years of so called free
dom H. this country, what Is the pre-
vailine condition Of our colored Ameri
can POPULATION: Briefly stated it Is
this: our civil rights have been ren
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 no
at all secure.
THE black horrors of lynching limo
cent 70stored Americans continue un
ahated. while our federal government
Indifference toward all these injustice
is but little less than the nullificatioI
OF our great war amendments. Through
out the southland. and to more or les:
extent in the north. the increasing mil
- IL
are being more and more reduced L
the pitiable condition of political serf:
and social outcasts.
III such conditions do not stir oul
souls and our blood. what under heav
en- can do It; Do not the industrial op
portunities denied us, the freedom o
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 a nationa
congress of colored Americans as /:
herein suggested? In this fierce era o.
controversy and bloodshed' can we b.
unmoved?
While the whole world is wild,
awake socially and politically. shall W,
sleepy While all other classes ant
races are on the verge OF social ant
political revolutions. shall we be in
different? Since all other groups Of
oppressed people are In the stir ant
rush Of agitation, is 1t not high time
that we should at least begin to get or
the mover
The south is still in the saddle Al
our national capital. rushing headlons
with a most reckless disregard for the
feelings and rights Of ten millions OF
loyal. but oppressed colored Americans
Therefore, let us get together in 8
great national congress and fling tc
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-
llgious 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
auce 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 EQua'
Rights league:
CIVILIAN MONROE TROTTER,
'.CorrespondinC Secretary"