WSB-TV (Television station : Atlanta, Ga.)

Description

In this WSB newsfilm clip from Monday, June 21, 1971, U.S. representative from Georgia Jack Brinkley blames civil rights activist Hosea Williams for inciting civil unrest that ensued after a protest march in Columbus on June 19th, 1971.The clip begins with Representative Brinkley calling the participation of non-local civil rights activists "wrong," stating his objections to black or white community members engaging nonlocal residents as part of a protest strategy. Describing Columbus as a place where people were "getting along," he asserts that it is wrong for someone to "come out and create and precipitate trouble." A reporter asks Brinkley if he is "putting the finger" on Williams as the reason for the "weekend trouble in Columbus;" the official then acknowledges that he "very specifically" implicates Hosea Williams as the cause of trouble, and refers to Williams as "chief racist of them all." The reporter follows up by asking Brinkley if he thinks that laws should be enacted to prevent non-local activists from entering a community and "inflaming" it; he responds by stating that he thinks that there is already a "good" federal law in place that "deals with people who cross state lines in order to inspire riots," presumably referring to the federal anti-riot act of 1968. Brinkley says he is unsure where Hosea Williams is from, guesses that he is from Atlanta, then adds "but he travels all across the United States." He expresses hope that Williams' recent activity in Columbus could be "looked into." The clip ends.Violence...

Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia