Published: The Militant, Vol. X No. 10, 9 March 1946, p. 1.
Source: PDF supplied by the Riazanov Library Project.
Transcription/Mark-up: Einde O’Callaghan for the Marxists’ Internet Archive.
Public Domain: This work is in the under the Creative Commons Common Deed. You can freely copy, distribute and display this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit the Marxists’ Internet Archive/Encyclopedia of Trotskyism On-Line as your source, include the url to this work, and note any of the transcribers, editors, translators, proofreaders etc. above.
Governor Jim McCord,
Nashville, Tennessee
We vigorously protest the outrageous wholesale atrocities and violations of civil rights committed by state troops and local police against the Negro citizens of Columbia, Tennessee.
All the facts clearly prove that the invasion by your troops of this Negro community was a calculated move to terrorize and repress the defenseless Negro citizens of Columbia who had been threatened by lynch mobs.
Eye-witness reports reveal that your troops blasted away at Negro dwellings and businesses with machine-guns and carbines, invaded and ransacked homes without search warrants, manhandled men, women and children and arrested at random scores of Negroes, many of whom are still being held in jail in violation of their constitutional rights. Two imprisoned Negroes were shot down in cold blood by guards.
Together with other working-class political parties, unions and civil rights organizations, the Socialist Workers Party demands that you immediately end the reign of terror in Columbia, withdraw the state troops and release all the innocent victims who are being held illegally in prison..
We hold your administration directly responsible.
|
|
James P. Cannon, |
Last updated on 8 October 2020