End Of Segregation In U.S. Schools Opposed .

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27442, 31 August 1954, Page 11

End Of Segregation In U.S. Schools Opposed .

( (N JE. Press (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) HOBBS (New Mexico), August 30. Elementary school officials told parents of white children that their children would be considered truants *if they were kept away from, classes when the town’s schools were opened to both negro and white students today.

About 5200 students were enrolled for the opening of the schools, which will be unsegregated for the first time in history. But supporters of segregation, tinder the leadership of a 48-year-old Baptist clergyman, the Rev. Bill Carter, have threatened to keep their children away from any classrooms attended by negro youngsters.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that segregation in schools was unconstitutional.

Mr Carter recently declared that he would ask for martial law to be proclaimed if the schools were thrown open to negro and white children together. f Mr Carter has filed a Court action against the school board, asking to have the racial integration action postponed until the Supreme Court issues a supplementary decision outlining policies to end segregation. But Hobbs School officials decided earlier to go ahead with an end to segregation with the opening of the 1954-55 school year today.