Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1955-09-24
Young Adult Leaders
Call For Legislation
To Implement
Desegregation

Oberlin College, Ohio, Sept IS -
An appeal for extensive federal and
state Legislation to implement raci-
al desegragation came today from
more than 200 young adult leaders
meeting in the final session of the
second United States Assembly of
Youth at Oberlin College.
The six-day national "town meet
ing" dealing with the theme
Freedom in the Balance - term
ed desegregation the most press
ing national need.
Coming from about 35 states and
the District of Columbia, the parti-
cipants were sent by 80 national
young adult organizations repre-
senting religious, labor, farm, COM
munity and political groups, as
well as the armed services. A large
group from NAACP chapters
throughout the nation participated,
along with Negro members from
such organizations as the YMCA,
YWCA, CLIO, Students For Demo
cratic Action, U. S. National Stu
dent Association and social welfare
agencies.
One of the reports adopted by
the Assembly, entitled "The Urban
Worker and Economic Progress"
stressed the need for eliminating
discrimination in hiring and called
upon the prospective merged union
of AFL and Clio to prohibit from
membership any unions which prac-
tice racial or religions discrimi-
nation. The report urged that, ain
the tradition of free American
trade unionism," proper constitu-
tional safeguards be adopted from
the very outset by the merger con-
vention in New York next Deem
Der.
Desegregation, especially in
terms of pressing forward with
the Supreme Courts decisions re-
garding education, proved to be the
problem most concerning American
youth at the Assembly.
The issue was brought into
sharpest focus following an ad-
dress by Lester B. Granger, Ex-
ecutive Director of the National
Urban League, direction of con-
crete and constructive thinking.
Mr.. Granger spoke on "The
Maintenance of Well-Being in the
American Society,"" declaring that
"a healthy balance of well-being
in our interdependent society
means that "there cannot be an ex-
cluded group"
At the concluding .plenary ses-
sion USAY participants urged
campaigns of public pressure mi
tiated and supported by American
youth and their organizations te
hasten the desegregation trend
Vigorously condemning the lynch.
ing of Erwin L. Till, the Assembly
urged the government leaders
speak against it and that the in
lividuals responsible for the crime
be Immediately and fully prosecu-
ted. Other sections Of the report
called for public campaigns to sup.
port civil rights legislation includ
ing FEPC and anti-lynching laws
In the international sphere
USAY adopted reports condemine
,olonialism, calling for the Ameri.
AN government to withhold al
.orms of assistance, economic anc
military, which would be used fol
expanded economic assistance tt
he underdeveloped nations, 8
ieemphasis on military aid, ar
ver-expanding liberalization OF
american trade policy, and the
maintenance of current military
trength with the door open tt
,radual reduction in conjunction
with a positive plan for peace.
Forty observers from 18 foreign
nations and five continents attend
ed the Assembly, which was spon'
,ored by the Youth Adult Coun'
Ill. The American affiliate of the
World Assembly of Youth, the
! VAC is sponsored by the Nationa.
Social Welfare Assembly.