Refusal To Compete By Negro Athletes

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 13

Refusal To Compete By Negro Athletes

(N.Z Press Association —Copyright)

HOUSTON (Texas), June 10

Negro track stars, including the world record holders, J. Thomas and R. Boston, refused to compete in the 1961 champions meeting in Houston - last night in protest against alleged segregation of spectators.

Thomas, the record holder in the high jump, and Boston, the record holder in the broad jump, told reporters they would not compete as long as negro pickets marched in front of the stadium. The public address announcer at the Jeppenson stadium, a city-owned football field, told the 5000 spectators just as the meeting was to start that “some of the contestants have withdrawn for personal reasons.” The announcer said those who bought tickets just to see the negro stars could get back their money. The assistant meeting director, Mr Seymour Lieberman, insisted that seating was not segregated. The 20 negro athletes who refused to compete included the hurdler H. Jones, the

broad jumper A Watson, the 880 yard star G. Kerr and S. Johnson, a sprinter. All of them were in the 1960 Olympics. ' In Memphis, Tennessee. 15 ; negroes were arrested at a : lunch counter sit-in after 150 others staged a single-file ; “freedom march” along city i footpaths yesterday. Police stood by in force during the demonstration. ■ which ended without inci- ’ dent. The president of the Memphis chapter of the ■ National Association for the i Advancement of Coloured ; People, Mr Jesse Turner, called the march a success- ; ful non-violent demonstra- • tion against segregation. [ Police said the 15 arrested were charged with dis- > orderly conduct, loitering I and interfering with com- > merce.