Arizona sun., 1961-07-06
Near Coordination
Of Organizations
Called For


New York-Thurgood Marshall
called for closer coordination be-
tween groups now active in the
civil rights field, lest they injure
their common purpose with "du-
plication, wasted effort, and inter-
organizational rivalrieS."
The NAACP Legal Defense and
Educational Fund boss was speak
ing on Thursday to an interracial
audience, including many recent
Freedom Riders, at the 18th An
nual Race Relations Institute at
Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.
Marshall praised the Freedom
Rides, stating that 1.-THE demonstra-
tions helped expose the evils OF
segration in American society"
He called the attack on segrega-
ton in interstate travel the most
important new development in the
civil rights battle.
He pointed out, however, that
in Jackson, Miss, where most OF
the freedom ride activity was
centered, S organizations were OPP
Grating with little coordination or
contact between them. He warned
that such unorganized activity can
hurt the civil rights battle, 'itor
southern activities, and have plenty
of money. MY good sense tells
me-" he said, ''that when unor-
ganized demonstrations meet or
ganized opposition, look out. \
Marshall offered the services OF
the Legal Defense Fund for any
Freedom Rider convicted in the
recent demonstrations, pointing out
that his lawyers had filed federal
suits in Montgomery, Ala. and
Jackson, Miss, asking the District
Court to enjoin local officials from
enforcing segregation of interstate
and intrastate travel.
After Marshall's speech, he ask
ed for suggestions from the floor
concerning greater efforts toward
coordination, pointing out that his
remarks should not be construed
to indicate opposition to any group,
"for there is room in the field for
everyone, as long as they are
working toward the same goal.
Several of the Freedom Riders,
including John Lewis, who recent
ly were released from jail In jack
son. Miss, indicated that there
was confusion involved in the legal
advice they had received In Jack
son.
"If YOU need help, here is my
telephone mum ber, Marshan
stated as the audience roared.
MANY of the students feel that
the older organizations seek to con-
troll their efforts" the Legal Pc
tense Fund chief pointed out. We
don't wish to control the efforts
of any student group. Remove .thls
fear from your mind. We only
want to help. But we must have
coordination to be effective"
In an evening session, Marshall
reviewed the accomplishments Of
the Legal Defense during the last
year. He said that though am
not frustrated, am by no means
satisfied.
He pointed out that massive re-
sistance has been buried but it has
been replaced by token compliance.
las illustration, he cited the inte-
grafton of out of $1,000 Negro
children in public shcools in New
Orleans. "And this is typical, ne
said.
"The good people in this country
are buying gradualism," ne saio'
land some Negroes are buying it,
too. The good people must repre-
sent the conscience of this country,
and Negroes must make the move
toward desegregation. Negroes
aren't doing this. If they don't.
most people in this country VIII
think Negroes don't want their
constitutional rights"
AS for recent charges Of "ag-
gravation and provocation" against
the Freedom Riders, Marshall
stated that "if you don't push,
what happens? You're just as bad
off as before, unless you can prove
that by doing nothing you can con-
troll the other side"
1--WE just can't sit on the side
lines and cheer the Freedom
Riders" he stated. I'VE must par
ticipate ourselves; if not In the
freedom rides, in some other ac-
tivity which helps break down ra-
cial segregation"