Poetry from M.I.T.; Richard Wilbur

I have a statement in response to the attorney general's ruling. The freedoms stay out Committee of the Massachusetts freedom movement has considered the important implications of the attorney general's ruling on the school stay out. We respect the authority of his office but think that the moral considerations at issue are far graver than the legal. It is for this reason that we intend to continue preparations for February 26. Feeling that conscience leaves no alternative even though the Boston School Committee threatens legal action against the leaders of the Freedom stay out. Clearly the issue of de facto segregation is a moral issue. Children who are educated in segregated schools cannot be prepared to live out their lives together as God intended. Every day the lives and attitudes of thousands of children both black and white are twisted and deformed by separate and unequal schooling. A

parent cannot in good conscience consent to a system which abuses and helps destroy his child in this way. If a parent recognizes the evil of segregated education he is bound in conscience to protest and seek a new form of education for his child even though legal sanctions may be applied against him. Surely the citizens of Boston cannot expect that parents will be threatened into conspiring in the destruction of their own children. Many prominent leaders here in Boston both Negro and white intend to stand firm against all threats for the sake of the future of our children. We've also been informed that such notables as Louis Lomax and Dick Gregory will be here at the side of all the negro and white parents who will put their children in freedom schools. On February 26. I have an announcement to make.

Dick Gregory a veteran of the civil rights struggle in Atlanta Selma and Birmingham Alabama Greenwood Mississippi Chicago and New York will be in Boston to lead a freedom rally at Donnelly memorial the February 20 5th they stay out. Mr. Gregory author of My Brother's Keeper and from the back of the bus will also address the pupils of the Freedom School. Who will be in session on February 26. Mr. Gregory would join author Lewis moments as a member of the Freedom School faculty with the DOn't KNOW day co-director of the stay out has announced that over 200 volunteers have registered to teach on the faculty of the Freedom School the faculty will consist of housewives parents. Teachers clergyman social workers.

Psychologists and lawyers. Canon James P. Britain. Announced that the Boston Freedom stay out Committee has received communication from other national civil rights leaders indicating their support. He added that there was a strong possibility. That in addition to Mr. Gregory and Mr. Lomax other well-known personalities in the freedom movement might well be in Boston for the February 26 day out. We. Have. We've received acceptance from about 50 different locations in the Roxbury south and Dorchester area. We're now in the process of coordinating the facilities with the schools and that list will be available shortly.

The educational system is a part of the social and economic system and our choice has not been to be stopped to stop fighting on any level. But at this point our consideration is the crime of crime concern is the educational system. There's been no official communication from the school committee as yet. There's the question of

truant officers coming in to take children out of Freedom Schools. Let Rev. Mr. Carter may speak to that issue. Well I feel that the truant officers would have no right to come into any church where a freedom school is hell. Because their church has given sanctuary to many people who have had grievances in the past. Concerning unjust laws and practices. And I feel. That every clergyman ought to oppose this. And I know that I for myself will have to be moved physically in order for them to get in. I don't think so because there will be no violence if they move me. Then they can simply go in but I feel that there'd be no reaction on the part of the student. This is

simply my own choice because all the Church of Jesus Christ not being imposed upon by any law officials. Comment I believe that Mr O'Connor has said that no truant officer will interfere physically with any student involved in the stay out. Mr O'Connor has consistently said that the leaders will be those who will be dealt with by the law and that the truant officers would simply observe in order to get evidence against the leaders. A. Well the implication of Mr O'Connor statement is that the leaders would be held for contributing to or for encouraging truancy. According to Attorney General Brooks opinion

did not respond to this particular issue. And our best legal advice is that this is not or this is a very remote possibility as far as any legal action is concerned. Silently like. Very very. Very. Large hurt. You write on the bolt. Mark. Heard. The File. The law is saying OK boys. Fortunately with many grievances in this country the moral right can be asserted

simply in negotiation and discussion. And response to problems that have not been responded to in the past. At the point when they when the body which is responsible to deal with the problems of de facto segregation says that the problem doesn't exist and that in fact we won't discuss it with you. It becomes necessary to take our direct action to attempt to bring the school committee and others in authority to respond to the needs which we have. This is of course a longstanding tradition in American democracy that when persons have grievances the right of protest has been protected. Assertion of the moral law and standing up in relationship to the moral law is not. Inherently of violation art does not have within it the. Danger of leading to

anarchy or something of this sort because the assertion. Is for the for justice for the entire community which can only lead to a higher respect for the laws which do in fact bring about justice in the community. You'd have to ask the end that I have no information as to the response to those telegrams. At this point as I said earlier there's been no formal.

Communication with the NWA CPA and until that occurs it's not possible to make a response. It's clearly indicated that this particular phrase phrasing that was reported in the newspapers is precisely the basis by which the end came before the school committee in August and was ruled out of order after 10 to 12 minutes because they mentioned de facto segregation so that at least as far as my knowledge goes now this doesn't seem to be a suitable basis for discussion. He was referring to the conclusion of the February 26

day the precise character of our action has not yet been decided by the steering committee. There would be certainly possible for the school committee to deal with a plan for the integration of the schools with a reasonable timetable for its achievement between now and February 26. These are our demands and if any time before February 26 our demands or are dealt with then we will be able to and be willing to follow our action. It is possible judging from the school committee's present position that does not seem

probable. One might note in terms of the questions of legality. If we. Look beyond the question of whether a one day absence with parents permission is unlawful or not we do have some considerable pressure from the Supreme Court decision of 1954 which has to do with the legality of the situation in public education. And there has been some indication that this Supreme Court decision at least in spirit applies to the situation in Boston and perhaps as recent court cases have indicated perhaps precisely in letter applies to this situation. Well that's something that we will have a press conference to let you

know when that's worked out. If they should occur there would of course be. A response to this on our part. Legal response. I might refer you to the comments in the editorial of this morning's Herald which had to do with the legality of the issue in the relationship between Attorney General Brooks opinion and these statements which are coming from the school committee because they while the Attorney General Brooks spoke to the issue of the lawfulness of this absence. The school committee has continually spoken about legality in terms of the leaders. And I would think that this is I might quote from this. Mrs.

Hicks and Mr. O'Connor must know very well that if negro parents carry out their present plans to keep their children out of school on February 26 in protest of alleged de facto segregation in the schools no one is going to prosecute them. As Mr. Brooks stated in his ruling the law does not provide a criminal penalty for such parental action until the child has been out of school for seven days. The question as to whether the school committee would take action against the leaders. In terms of Boston's place in the entire nation this would be an incredible kind of action. Thus far there have been schools stay out across the country and such action has not been taken anywhere in the deep north as we call Boston. So that perhaps Boston may have a first on February 27.

Can I just review for those of you what not then another press conference is a list of groups that have already enjoyed this day out you have a statement from Florida State the American Friends Service Committee the National Association for social workers the Civil Liberties Union. Reverend Jack Mendelson rabbis Stephen's voice child Reverend Richard Chiles bother to tell me I'm sorry. But Dr. Joseph by. The Boston conference of race and religion and the way the ethical side the public appears to be of this cult. Right now in a day. Let's see if you can deal with the union in a way that will be helpful I have only me I there for people that they may be. You know why. Only because of the three joys

that you what other people have an acute need. Right. If you want to really. Be. A radio. Right. Now the. Interview. Right. Here. Could I make. Yes like. You all just one more. One one comment that Mrs. Ryan has been operating as our press representative and I know in a number of occasions people from the press have tried to reach me and been referred to her this is simply a necessity for internal discipline and ability to control time so that I hope that you will when you have calls to make call Mrs. Ryan and then in that way will facilitate the the. Best use of. Our time and

yours. Yes. Let me look. Where do you see a lot future possibility in the next couple of days I. Tell you when. Many of you pass. Through the questions on the. Right.