Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-08-22

/
president, was an impressive, OF
1t was different than m
around the nation as there was
hardly a uniformed police officer
within block of the capitol Mall,
where the demonstration was held
and the speakers addressed the
crowd.
The march to the Mall area be-
gan promptly at 10:55 am. with
Cecil e. Newman, Twin City news
paper editor acting as marshal.
The first rows contained about 35
members Of Twin City clergy of
practically all faiths, followed by
men, women and children display
ing signs.
EpiscOpalian clergymen car
ried the diocesan flag and men,
bers of both the Catholic and
Protestant faiths were in the
line Of march.
Rev. Stanley r. King of Sab
athani Baptist church led the
marchers in singing the song which
has swept the country as the one
most favored by civil rights dem
onstratos. I'VE Shall Overcome"
Other songs chanted as the march
ers paraded around the expansive
Mall were: "Give Me That Old
Freedom Spirit and a tune on
freedom sung to the tune of Bat
tie Hymn Of the Republic"
The marchers made five trips
around the mall with signs held
high In the sky and then gath
cred for a brief sing before the
steps before the capital where
the speakers were assembling.
There the marchers sang the
revered James Weldon Johnson's
Lift Every Vo,ce and Sing"
The program opened. with the
singing Of the Star Spangled
Banner. Rev. Mordeau Williams,
pastor of st. James AME church,
st. Paul gave an impressive in
vocation, calling for a divine bless
ing on the gathering and on the
efforts of citizens to enact legisla-
ton to drive racial bigotry from
the nation.
State Confere President
Lewis who presided introduced the
presidents of the Twin City NAA-
CP branches and the state youth
council president. All three top
local NAACP officials Robert Pat
terson, st. Paul branch, Curtis c.
Chivers, Minneapolis branch presi-
dent and Eugene Hill Of the NAA-
CP State youth council gave brief
statements and urged public sup
port Of proposed civil rights legis-
lation.
James Rice, secretary to Gov
ernOr Karl ROlvaag, welcomed
the group In behalf of the states
chief executive who was out of
the city on a prior engagement.
He also read the Governors
Proclamation which praised the
demonstration. His message re-
ceived generous applause.
Adolph Tobler, representing the
st. Paul Trades and Labor As
sembly spoke and reminded the
gathering of resolutions in behalf
of civil rights passed by the AFL-
CIO executive council and plans
for a nationwide assault on race
in unions by organ
lied labor.
Cecil Newman, newspaper editor
and publisher introduced by Presi- !
dent Lewis as, "A longtime fighter |
for civil rights in this state"
pointed out that Minnesota enact
ed a law against school segrega-
ton in 1858, three years after the
civil war, and a equal public ac-
law in 1873. Newman
stated there were still pockets of
race discrimination in Minnesota
which must be eradicated In the
area Of housing, jobs and In re-
sorts. Both major political parties
In the state were praised for prior
support of civil rights bills by the
editor.
He read an appeal for funds
to defray the March On Wash
ington For Jobs and Freedom"
and told where contributions
should be sent.
Robert Forsythe, state Republi-
can chairman spoke and pledged
the support Of Republican Con-
gressmen from the state to the
civil rights bills now before Con-
gress. He introduced State Treas
Irer Val Bjornson to speak for
the states elected Republican Of !,
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