Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-05-12
Ssass Wide Group Organized

AT the kick off meeting weeks ago Saturday April o.
OF the new statewide Committee Civil and Human Rights
one got the impression after Listening TO Jim Oppenhemer that
the new body was TO concern itself chiefly with FEPC
legislation
At the organization meeting held last Saturday May
IN Minneapolis however by the group persons selected
each congressional district numbering three from each district
aud two additional Officers the group given the responsibility
Tor planning statement OF purpose aud organization the
creation OF statewide group concerned with Human Rights
took different direction,
During the two weeks interval members Of the organizing
committee had learned that with the emphasis placed FErC
by Mr. Oppenheimer Mr. Langley Of Red Wing and Others
who would otherwise have stayed because of interest
broader human rights program folded their tents and quietly
withdrew because FEpG appeared to be the major emphasis
Conversations with these people from ousate revealed
not feel that the outlying begin with IT, They remind
the Twin City members that FEPC the starting point
here They feel however, that the FEPC laws will be the n
vtabe final purpose among Others of any statewide civil and
human rights program.
During tho several hours of discussion the question was
raised repeatedly IF have Governors nteraca Commits
sion with appropriation for educational purposes from the
legislature why do we create new statewide organization
The answer twofod W G. Leland leader In the
en stated that Father Frances dlgan, Mr. Oppehhemer
the and he had discussed this and had been agreed
that FEPC the chief purpose the group legislative
conditions barred activity its behalf by the office of the
Governors lnerracial Commission Secondly Indicated
that even II the purpose of the organization
cude FEPC 1--WE think this desirable since there Is state
FEPC Council made up Of representatives Of forty organa
tons) there still great need for organization which
comes to the office OF the lnteraea Commission to ask its
Ssance in the development OF local educational in
civil and human rights rather than to have state organization
IN the position OF seeming 10 impose such educational
gram from above
1t pointed that Clifford Ruckcr the Executive
Secretary of the Governors nterracia Commission would
the natural cOordnatOr all those human relations
in which the Governor and the state becoming
Interested The Indian Conference Bemd where the
Indian leadership TO with Indian problems in their
right nitiaors of policy sharp with
other meetings where minority group members have felt that
they themselves not ia position Of policy making
eerning their affairs,
felt that any local group trying to learn about civil
and human rights might we study them together with
bes of minority groups who know most what the problems
and bring the other groups experience with these prob
lens which grows from their personal and often bitter
peences For example study Of the charter Of human rights
Of the united nations would be purely academic compared
study of in relation to the problem of the Negro
LeSueur the Indian Legislative and reservation and cuca
Ona problems at PpestOne the relief problems Mile aeS
the reservation and employment problems at CaSs Lake and
the general status of Indians everywhere.
The group expressed its feeling and agree that
nceon between the uN Charter and the migrant workers in
Minnesota from Jamaica LcSueur and from Mexico in
Red River Valley could be far vital and alive than study
groups theory alone.
The resulting formulation them Of the purpose what
Chrsteued MINNESOTA CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
ASSOCIATION was as follows:
THE PURPOSES OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE AS
IMPLIED IN IT'S NAME BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY
TO promote interest in Civil and Human Rights and
vcopment of for and responsibility toward such
basic formuatons of them the United Nations Charter
Human Rights their definition in national and state
constitutions aud other fundamental documents,
70 initiate and support programs for public education
designed TO Implement these Human Rights.
8 To promote wider local understanding of and sympa
thec support for those programs developed for their
advancement by those citizens who do not fully share in
these rights.
1t should be pointed that Governor Luther YOungdah
had spanked organization sending letters