The monitor., 1928-06-22
Two brothers---Innocent- Lynched
E d | T O R | A L


Two gentee, wellmannered and highly respected women
at the Riviera theater Sunday afternoon which should
evoke the Indignation and resentment only of
people, but OF every serespecng citizen of Omaha white
black.
The facts these: Mrs Florentne Pinkston
mother Mrs John Crawford to the heaer Sunday
to hear the organ recital 1t has late at
this theaer to off the the balcony
first floor Mrs Pnkon had frequently attended
and sat the first floor AS matter of when
stairs she sought seats about her customary place Just
taking seats usher hurried to them and said
"The balcony is open now"
What of that?" asked Mrs. Pnkston
You must go up there coored people not allowed to
sit this floor when the balcony open you
move; You can't sit here"
The ladies declined to
Then the assistant manager McPke, understand his
is lacking the first instincts of gentleman, his
soent conduct and language indicating anything
good breeding persisted annoying
ing that they to the balcony He told them other
things that the colored chamber whatever
that heaven only knows and the white chamber
had signed that coored people would
sit the first floor of theaters prove it, and that
He made many nsoent remarks which we will not take
to repeat His nsoence and insulting remarks did not
however goad either Mrs Pnkston her mother who
ladies' to unadyke replies unbecomng conduct They
kept admirable and declined
McPike then called policeman who told them that they
sir, you will have to carry out
This however he did not attempt to do and the ladies kept
their seats until the close of the performance.
Monday morning the editor of The Monitor accompanied
view by Mr. Watts, the whom found be
teous and believe wemeanng gentleman He expressed
regret for the and said that his assistant was
tactfu in handling the situation He was, however quite
frank in saying that for business he preferred that
balcony would be satisfied with that and not attempt to sit
ON the first floor which privilege he claims resented by
of the white patrons He hoped that
it in the light which of did not do
If welbehaved people of group sit the balcony
without offense provoking the resentment of white
who like many coored people MAY PREFER THE BALCONY
sit the first floor when the balcony roped off
closed we can valid why they prefer to do
they not sit there at other times They certainly have
right to do under the law and not violating the law
when they do so Those who breaking the law they
be they ushers assistant POLICEMEN
who attempt to deprive them OF this lawful right
The of the Riviera heater broke the law of
Nebraska when they attempted interfere with these
who ARE citizens of this state home and taxpayers
and therefore nominated coming under the protection of the
law The police officer whoever he had business
whatsoever in entering that theaer accos inmae
barrass advise these who creating disturb
breaking law. Had he laid hands them the
city of Omaha and his bondman would have been liable The
management is responsible for calling him n but unfortunate
these not being poce characters but respectable
and awabidng citizens this brutal bluff and attempt at in
tmidation did not work
The Monitor desires point the way safety
for people and to the public in the
ton OF good will valuable business asset prosperity and
ample heatersfor the Riviera alone the offender
will observe the law applicable alike to all citizens the
outrages such that of Sunday which becoming all
common, they compelled to fight lawsuit after lawsuit
until it whether the civil rights bill of Nebraska
worthless and meaningless of valid document
guaranteeing the protection which to all citizens of
this state without regard to creed or color.
We hope that when they confronted with the embar
rassment which forced upon these Sunday
people will maintain the pose and selfresran did
they keeping absolutely within the law knowing their rights
and maintaining them and bring suit against the awbreakers
This kind OF business must stop and will not stop but continue
to in magniy has done the past few unless
we have the to fight to finish in the courts
We have been patient with outrages of this character
long The evil Time for vigorous action has