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., Suite 1103 41 Exchange Pl., S.E. Atlanta, Ga. 30303 September 9, 1966 Mayor Ivan Allen City of Atlanta Atlanta, Ga. Dear Mayor Allen: The undersigned professional staff of intergroup relations _a gencies have long been concerned with the well being of our community. Thus the events of this past week dictate that we communicate with you relative to the situation,and our role in the amelioration of this and similar incidents which might occur. The two things which occurred this week must be of concern to all Atlantans. The first was the disorder on Tuesday, which we do not condone. The second is the response of the community to the disturbance. There has been in our opinion competent criticism of the violence and of those who supported it, for no one can countenance violence, the injury of persons and the willful destruction of property. the other hand, it would be tragic, indeed, if community consensus were to become arrayed against certain individuals and organization and thus become a substitute for a more constructive response to the conditions which brought it about. Ample data is available from other communities, that agitation to action is not possible in a vacuum. Nor is the Summerhill area unique. It could have occurred in any of a number of different places in our city, just as riots can and do occurr in other cities in America. For whenever there are deprivations and injustices those who would incite violence will find a ready response to their appeals. On If Atlanta is to spare itself from future disorders, the leadership of the city of Atlanta must focus on the real problems which face too many of its people: inadequate housing; overcrowded schools; under-employment; a lack of adequate recreational facilities; a dearth of public services to these disadvantaged areas; minimal enforcement of the city's building code. These are but a few of the general areas of immediate concern with many, many more that could be enumerated and which demand immediate attention and prompt action. The undersigned are prepared to lend their technical abilities and the full resources of their respective agencies to the City of Atlanta and to all of its people in an effort to develop a meaningful program for the city in the resolution of these problems. · · �Mayor Ivan Allen September 9, 1966 Page - 2 - We respectfully request an opportunity of an irnmediate meeting with you and such members of the Board of Alderman and your staff as you deem appropriate for the purpose of more fully exploring these problems, their ramifications and an immediate course of action to be initiated by the city in dealing with these complex and highly volatile matters. Respectfully, Paul Anthony (Executive Director, Southern Regional Director) " , } ,.,u Theodore Freedman (Southern Director, Anti-Defamation 'League of B'nai B'rith) </I Ct/C "(, (",_ r (_1-u.., S'.E., (. I Mrs. Ruby Hurley (Southeast Regional Director, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) 9.)1'1::),. Ii.,.,, A< ,.IL( I I Miss Constance Curry (Southern Field Representative, American Friends Service Committee) J.1 I n Don McEvoy (Georgia Director, National Conference of Christians and Jews) 1 </ i) The Rev. Oscar McCloud (Office of Church and Society, United , Presbyterian Church U.S.A.) .1<.uC-L H The Rev. John Morris (Executive Director, Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity) Charles F. Wittenstein (Southeast Area Director, American Jewish Committee) </.1 £ ~ ., ~ F. The Rev. Edward Brown (Anti-Poverty Task Force, National Council of Churches of Christ) Randolph Blackwell (Director, Southern Rural Action Project, Citizens Crusade Against Poverty) f.JJ.u.J, �Mayor Ivan Allen September 9, 1966 Page - 3 - Junius Griffin (Director of Public Relations, Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Jody Palmour (Southern Student Organizing Committee) Mrs. Frances Pauley (Director, Georgia Council on Human Relations) .J 1.-• ( �