Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-23
oath Minister
Seized in Negro
Bus Boycott

tH1.-Ine rev. MarCln LutIlei
King, jr., a Negro minister whose
home was bombed while he was
leading the Negro bus boycott In
Montgomery. was arrested today
for boycotting.
The 27-year-old pastor of the
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
in downtown Montgomery. was
among those indicted by a
county grand jury Tuesday or
charges Of violating Alabama's
anti-boycott law.
The indictment of Mr.. King
was kept secret under Alabama
law until he was arrested.
The minister returned today
from speaking engagements In
Tennessee and Sheriff Mac
Butler said he surrendered vol
unfairly. He was released or
$500 bond after being finger
printed and booked.
Gath Minister Seized
He was the oath, Negro min
lister taken into custody as
sherift's officers rounded up the
defendants named in the indict-
ments. Fifty other Negroes also
have been arrested.
The total number named In
the indictments was first an
nounced as lis, but the sheriff s
office said today it would be
about 80.
Some defendants were listed
by initials on one writ and by
their full names on another
making 1t appear at first that
they were different persons.
Mr.. Kings home was damaged
by a dynamite explosion the
night of January 80. He was
away from the house. but his
wife. their 7-week- old daughter
and a neighbor were there at
the time No one was injured.
Mr.. King also appeared In
Circuit Court today to appeal a
$l4 speeding fine-$10 and costs.
He agreed to plead guilty and
pay a fine Of IS, but the total
cost was almost twice as much
as the original fine in City Court.
With Circuit Court costs added,
the price was $3.50.
Mass Meeting Slated
Meanwhile, plans were made
for a mass meeting of 10000
Negroes here tonight to pray for
Justice to prevail"
And to emphasize their deter
mination, boycott leaders pro-
claimed tomorrow "Prayer-Pil-
igrimage Day" They said every
I"race-loving" Negro will shun all
motor vehicles and walk wher-
ever they 60 on that day.
Scores Of Negroes crowded out
side the Montgomery County Jail
yesterday and watched quietly as
70 of those indicted we're brought
in. The 70. all Negroes. in
cluded several political leaders.
All were released in $500 bond
after being flngerprinted and
booked.
The mass meeting tonight and
the no-ride pilgrimage" tomor-
row were announced by the Rev
! Ralph D. Alternately, one Of
those indicted for boycotting
and pastor of the First Baptist
Church. where the prayer for
Justice" meeting viii be held.
The Negro minister. chairman
of the negotiating committee Of
boycott leaders. said in a state
ment that Negroes are not on
trial here. But Montgomery is
On trial"
1.-THE eyes of the world are
focused here waiting to see
Southern justice in action" he
said. ut is an Americans right
to protest against undemocratic
and inhuman practices. yet. be-
cause we are Negroes. the grand
Jury has indicted U.S."
| Expects 10000 to Attend
| He predicted that at least TO-
900 Negroes will attend the meet
ling tonight land pray to Al
mighty God to enter the hearts
lof Montgomery people so that
justice will prevail at the ar
Iraignment trials Monday"
Those arrested included Mrs.
Rosa Parks. who was taken into
custody on the boycott indict-
lment soon after leaving Circuit
Court. where she had been SEN
ltenced to IA days in Jail for re-
fusing to pay a fine in the case
which touched off the racial pro-
test movement.
Files Appeal
Mrs. Parks. a seamStress, ap-
Ipealed a $l4 fine levied in City
Court December 5 for refusing to
move to the back of a bus. That
appeal was turned down yester-
day by Circuit Judge Eugene
Carter and she was sentenced to
IA days in Jail.
She then appealed TO the Ala
bama Supreme Court and was
released in 500 bond. only to be
picked UP Immediately on the
Iboycotting charge and freed
again in $500 bond.
Other prominent Negroes ar
rested included E. D. Nixon. for
mer State president of the Ma
tional Association for the Ad-I
Ivancement Of Colored People and
president of the Montgomery
Progressive Democratic Associa-
ton: Mrs. 10 Ann Robinson,
teacher at Alabama State College,
for Negroes and head of the