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

Description

In this WSB newsfilm clip from Rome, Georgia, September 15, 1971, African Americans watch a burning building from across the street; African American students march on the sidewalks; and Ben Lucas, chair of the Board of Commissioners, speaks from the police building.The clip is divided into two parts. The first part begins with the remains of a building burning. African Americans standing nearby watch the burning building. Next, African American students from East Rome High School enthusiastically march on the sidewalks of Rome; a police car and a fire truck drive parallel to the students. Three hundred African American students from East Rome High School participated in a walk-out and demonstration asking for greater representation in student affairs, particularly in extracurricular activities. White policemen stand outside of the Rome Police department, while inside, two white men, including Ben Lucas, chair of the Board of Commissioners, sit at a desk and speak to a press conference. Lucas reports that the city has met for nearly two weeks with African Americans, recognizes the need for improved communication, and distills the original list of eleven grievances down to three. The city has agreed to establish a biracial committee, to place African Americans on the city's Urban Renewal and Zoning boards, and to hire more black police and fire officers. Lucas reports that he has heard reports of police brutality, although he has not seen any, and that each complaint is investigated.The B-roll portion of the clip begins with two white policemen standing outside....

Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia