New Racial Riots In Deep South

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 13

New Racial Riots In Deep South

(N.Z. Prest Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, May 30. Racial violence broke out in two southern American towns yesterday. In Bogalusa, Louisiana, police donned combat helmets and used tear gas to subdue a “powder-keg” situation when whites and Negroes clashed in the town’s main street.

Meanwhile, in Selma, Alabama, nearly 100 Negroes and whites were arrested when they demonstrated against “Selma Friendship Day,” which was arranged to improve local business, hit by a Negro boycott.

The Bogalusa trouble came during a tense day of picketing by Civil Rights workers in front of stores in the main street of the town.

Police officers moved in after whites and Negroes began fighting. Most of the pickets had already been withdrawn from the area by Negro leaders due to the tense situation.

The police moved down a side street, shoulder-to-shoulder and formed a barricade. About 300 angry Negroes shuffled about in front of them. State Police Major Tom J. Bradley said the Negroes wanted to form a protest march through the main street because of what they called “police brutality.” Seven whites and 10 Negroes were arrested. All the whites were charged with disturbing the peace. Nine Negroes, including a young girl, were booked on similar charges and the tenth was charged with interfering with police officers. After arrests were made in Selma, more than 2000 people marched on the city’s gaol. Sung Songs The police chief said the marchers sang freedom songs with their companions inside the gaol. About a dozen of his men

armed with batons, moved into the crowd and dispersed it without violence, he said. In all 45 juveniles and 54 adults were arrested. They were charged with violating a State law against staging a boycott or with disorderly conduct. Most of the demonstrators gaoled had been carrying pickets signs outside stores. Others were taken into custody during the demonstration outside the gaol. The situation returned to normal almost as quickly as it had flared up. “Selma Friendship Day,” organised by a Brimingham lawyer, Mr Earl Hall, was held as an effort to give the area’s economy “a shot in the arm.” Effects Of Boycott Families from throughout Alabama were urged to shop there and help overcome the effects of a Negro boycott and months of racial unrest. Meanwhile, a group of 150 Negro and white Civil Rights marchers arrived in Brandon, Mississippi, today, thus completing a two-day, 14-mile “Little Selma” march. The march was organised to protest against alleged discrimination against Negro voters in Rankin County, Mississippi.