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

Description

In this silent WSB newsfilm clip from New Orleans, Louisiana in November and December 1960, a newspaper advertisement urges community support for the Orleans Parish school board and white demonstrators protest the court-ordered desegregation of two elementary schools. Some images in the clip repeat and others are interspersed with scenes from other days.The clip begins focusing on a folded newspaper sitting on a table next to an ashtray with a cigarette in it. Although the text of the paid advertisement is not legible, several headings in the document are, including "We appeal to the citizens of New Orleans," "Segregation of the races," "Since the 1954 decision," "Because many citizens," and "But we recognize." The advertisement, reprinted in the Times-Picayune December 14, 1960, recognizes that most citizens prefer segregated education, and that the Orleans Parish School Board and the Louisiana legislature have done all in their power to try and maintain segregated schools. The article goes on to assert that "we are called upon to abide by the action of our legally constituted courts." It urges "an immediate end to threats, defamation and resistance to those who administer our laws," and appeals for "an end to the street demonstrations," asking that "support be given to the city officials, the police, and the duly elected school board of the parish of Orleans." Over one hundred white businessmen signed the petition reprinted in the advertisement.The next images come from the first days of court-ordered integration at William Frantz and McDonogh 19 schools in...

Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia