Negroes Plan Autonomy

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 15

Negroes Plan Autonomy

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PHILADELPHIA, September 2. A national Black Power conference has closed in Philadelphia with more than 3000 delegates voting to support a plan for the establishment of a separate black nation, political party and army within the borders of the United States.

They also decided to boycott the November Presidential elections on a national level, saying that they no longer had use for the present political structure.

The delegates, who included black moderates and militants from all over America, strongly recommended the formation of a black political party. Among those who attended the four-day meeting were Le Roi Jones, the militant writer

from Newark, New Jersey, and Mr Ronald Karenga, leader of a black activist group from California. It was Mr Karenga’s conference workshop on politics which recommended the formation of a “Republic of New Africa,” comprising what was described as “a separate, free, independent nation for black people” in five Southern States.

The establishment of a black national army was supported “for the defence of the black community.” The conference’s closing tone generally was one of angry militancy and an increasing demand for black self-determination.

White reporters were banned from press conferences and the main sessions, but Negro reporters and photographers were allowed to attend some meetings. Police Suspended The Philadelphia Police Commissioner (Mr Frank Rizzo) has suspended three veteran plainclothes detectives who are alleged to have shouted obscenities at women leaving a conference workshop. “Fellow-police officers who witnessed the incident immediately reported it to their commanding officer, resulting in an immediate investigation and the suspension within a matter of hours,” said Mr Rizzo.

The suspended policemen are white, while those reporting the incident are both Negro and white. Several women had identified the men at the police station, Dr Nathan Wright, the conference chairman, told reporters, adding: “This was the most distinguished assembly of black Americans to come to Philadelphia, and the only ugly incident was fomented by these policemen. The black people made no effort whatever to retaliate except to see that they were apprehended and dealt with by authorities.”