Bombing After Boast That Negroes Subdued

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 15

Bombing After Boast That Negroes Subdued

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) BIRMINGHAM (Alabama), May 12. “We’ve licked them, and licked them good,” the staunch segregationist police commissioner, Mr Eugene (“Bull”) Connor, today comrfiented on bi-racial agreement which apparently ended Birmingham’s six weeks’ crisis. The agreement did not end the violence, for two persons were injured last night when a bomb exploded at a negro motel used as headquarters by integration leaders in the recent Birmingham desegregation campaign.

Mr Connor, who directed the arrests of more than 2000 negroes and the repulsion of demonstrators with fire hoses and dogs, described an agreement between white and coloured leaders to lessen tension as: “The lyingist, face-saving statement that was ever issued.” City officials and Alabama Governor (Mr George Wallace) also scoffed at the citizens’ committee agreement on proposals to end the conflict. Governor Wallace called the agreement a “so-called truce,” and said the ceasing of demonstrations had been brought about by sterner law enforcement. “This show of strength has impressed the leaders of mob action that such conduct will no longer be tolerated,” Mr Wallace said.

speaking of 575 patrolmen and other officers brought in last Tuesday. Meanwhile, uneasy quiet resigned as negro leaders mapped plans for a voter registration drive. Negroes said they were moving from house-to-house in an effort to instill renewed efforts towards voter registration. In nearby Bessemer, the Ku Klux Klan of Alabama planned a rally tonight. Police said the home of the Rev. A. D. King, brother of the negro integration leader Dr. Martin Luther King, was heavily damaged in last night’s bombing. Fire engines and police reinforcements were sent to the scene. Police said large crowds of unruly negroes had gathered in tire area. A second explosion occurred at a negro block of flats. The brick walls at the front of the King house collapsed. There were no injuries. Mr King was in bed reading and his five children were ,in a back room, which was not damaged. Police said later that there was no explosion near block of flats. Two bombs were thrown at the King home and the third at a carvan parking lot at the motel where the two persons were injured. Gathering Of Klans Meanwhile, in nearby Bessemer, Alabama, more than 2500 Ku Klux Klansmen. some of them armed, gathered in the flickering light of two 20-foot burning crosses last night to hear their leaders denounce the Birmingham • integration agreement. “Go into the stores and cancel .your credit cards.” shouted Robert Shelton Grand Dragon of the United Klans of America. “I just want to tell you,” said Shelton., standing on ' a truck surrounded by United States and Confederate flags, “that the Klan has been busy. We were working undercover and from listening at windows and crawling under houses. We know who these white men are who have sold but our community.” Some of the klanamen were masked in spite of a State law which forbade the practice several years ago. The agreement provided: Desegregation of lunch

counters, rest rooms, sitting rooms and drinking fountains in planned stages within the next 90 days. The upgrading and hiring of negroes on a non-dis-criminatpry basis. This will include the hiring of negroes as clerks and salesmen within the next 60 days. Arrangements for the release on bail of all persons arrested during racial demonstrations. Communications between negroes and white persons will be publicly reestablished in the next two weeks. When Dr. King read the agreement at a crowded press conference he was interrupted several times by cheers. Leader Urges Restraint “We must evidence calm dignity, wise restraint and emotion must not run wild,'' he told his people. “Violence must not come from any of us and if we become victimised with violent acts or intent, the pending daybreak of progress will be transformed into a gloomymidnight of retrogress."