Judge Suspends Little Rock Integration

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 11

Judge Suspends Little Rock Integration

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LITTLE ROCK (Arkansas), June 21. A Federal Judge today granted the local school board in Little Rock permission to suspend racial integration at the Central High School for two-and-a-half years. The decision by Judge Harry Lemley permits the school board to remove the seven negro students now enrolled at the Central High School, where integration was ordered last September.

Judge Lemley heard the school board's petition for the suspension of racial integration at a three-day hearing early this month. Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People opposed the board’s petition. When integration was ordered to be carried out at the Central High Schoo] last September nine negro pupils were enrolled and attended classes under the protection of Federal troops who were ordered there by President Eisenhower after Governor Orval Faubus placed National Guardsmen around the school building to prevent the negro children from attending classes. Judge Lemley said that integration at the school had “broken down under pressure of public opinion.” The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People immediately announced that it would appeal. Southern newspapers used their biggest type to announce the decision.

The White House refused to comment, saying: “It is entirely a matter for the Department of Justice.”