The Omaha guide., 1934-05-26
DOWN THE
BARRIERS OF PRE-
JUDGE
Stirring Chapters from the 25-Year
History Of the National Associ-
alton for the Advancement
of Colored People
THE FIGHT FOR PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATION

During IT'S 25-years Of existence,
the National Association for the Ad-
vancement of Colored People, has
consistently fought for equal accom-
mediation in public places and against
discrimination based on color or race.
During this quarter century many
notable battles have been won for
Negro advancement and the ,Asso-
citation has been successful in STEM
ming the rising tide Of jim crowism
in many parts of the Country.
A prolong battle has been waged to
end restaurant and hotel discrimin-
alton Shortly after the founding of
the Association, the New York
branch formed a Vigilantes Com
mittees for the active prosecution of
all infringements Of the Negroes le-
gal rights A vigorous attack was
launched on color discrimination in
in public places such as restaurants
hotels theaters, etc.
In 1917 when Negroes were ex-
cluded from the U. S. Senate public
restaurant the Association received
a prompt disclaimer from the late
Senator Overman, chairmn of the COM
mittee in charge In Ohio during the
same year, the branches in Cleveland
Toledo and Lorain, forced removal
Of signs proclaiming that colored
people would not be admitted to GER
tain restaurants. The following year
through the combined efforts of the
national office and its District Of
Columbia branch, exclusion of Negroes
from the restaurant of the new Dis
trict of Columbia court house was
stopped. Later. when a seperate rest
aurant Br colored people was opened
in the same court house, the branch
had it abolished and all discrimina-
ton in the restaurant of the Library
of Congress, however, was not i'm
mediately successful. On the other
hand such cases were won by N A. A
C. P. branches at Lansing, Mich, Den
yer, Colo. and Cleveland, O. Fights
against posting of objectional signs
were won at Pueblo, Colo, Ottumwa,
Ia, Cleveland. O., Portland, Ore, Den
yer, Colo. and Providence, R. |.
In 1920 the Milwaukee branch won
a restaurant case under the civil
rights act. The Toledo branch won a
suit against the Metropolitan Stores
because of refusal to serve Negroes
in their cafeterias. The Ann Arbor
branch forced abolition of segregation
in the University of Michigan hos
pital dining room.
Several suits have been won against
hotels discriminating against colored
people. Recently the Association has
taken an active part in the fight a.
gainst discrimination in the House OF
Representatives and the Senate pub
lie restaurants in Washington.
Theatre Jim Crowism
The Association has also waged a
prolonged fight against jim Crowism
in theaters. In 1912 the activities OF
the Detroit branch forced several
theaters to cease discriminating
against Negroes. During the same
year the New York branch brought
several suits against theaters.
Twenty years ago Negroes were bar
red FROM the main floor of all New
| York theaters. This was broken down
largely by the N. A. A. c. P. Wig
antics. The Philadelphia branch was
likewise successful in 1917 in fight
ing segregation in theaters. In 1918
in San Francisco theslocal branch wo-
n an important deciscon in a suite ag-
ainst a thetre. In 1925 the Chicago
against a theater. In 1925 the Chicago
g where young Negro student nd be-
en- beaten for refusing to sit in a seq
regated sectioon He was awarded 81
600. In Grind Rapids, Mich. in 1928 a
verdict of 5000 was recovered from
a theatre under the Michigan civil ri
ghts act. For aver twenty years the
| Association has cen fighting the sh-
owing of the vicious film " The birth
of a Nation" Branches everywhere ha-
We appealed to authorities to stop such
exhibitions and in a surprising num-
Der of cases have been successful. Few
attempts are made now to exhibit
the picture. At one time it WIS freely
shown in all parts of the country.
Other fights have been waged ag-
ainst discrimination in bath houses
beaches, steamships bus lines rilroads
churche hospitals bootblack stands
etc. In 1928, the Association won a
decisive victory against lessees Of be-
ach fronts property owned by the city
Of Asbury Park N. J. who were seek