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April 4, 1968 MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr . From: Dan Sweat Subject: Clergymen's Conference I met with representatives of the Atlanta Christian Council this morning to discuss followup on the suggested meeting the Clergy of Atlanta wants to hold to help get further understanding of and involvement in the problems whieh face the city. The idea of the ministers is to have a meeting which would include the religious leadership from the five county area, th elected political l adership, top business, labor nd education. In effect, they are talking about an Urban Coalition type m es meeting of the top leadei.-ship. They are speaking in term of from 500 to 1,000 persons. What apparently prompted this int r st on the part of th Clergy wa Al Bow speech to them. It is now f lt that Mr. Bows h put th Cl rgy on the spot and there is fear that the busin ss community h s gott n out head of the religious community. Th mini t rs who re hehind thi movement £ l th t th time l at hand to encour ge some of th more timid mini t r , partlcul rly in th ubuJ'b , to g t moving. They feel th t if these mini t rs can ee wh t ome of the busine community is doing and ying, people lik �Mayor Allen Page Two April 4; 1968 Bows, Paul Austin, Sterne, etc., that they won't feel they're risking their necks or their pulpits by getting involved in the "urban problems" . We have tentatively settled on May 6 as the date for the dinner and would like to issue an invitation to John Gardner. The prog:ram would consist of "rip-snorting" speeches from you, Paul Austin, John Gardner and a key religious figure. The ministers I committee will be in to talk to you about it, present their ideas and get any suggestions you might have on Wednesday at 2:30 p. m. DS:fy �April 3, 1968 MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Ivan Allen. Jr. From: Dan Swe t Subject: Atl nta Christian Council Civil Di orders Propos 1 The attach d statement was unanimou ly adopted Tue day by the Atlant Christian Council. Johnny Robin on and Im t with the Resolutions Committee dul'ing the morning to di cus thi tat ment with the members 0£ that committ Th · minister ar incerely interested in contributin dir ctly to the Hmination of central city problems and are s eking realistic ways in which to b come involved. You will notice they want to finance luncheon or dinner which you would ho t. What they r ally w nt to do i to organize an Urban Co lition or help formalbe the Coluition which we hav previously attempted to g t st rted. They desi re to invit John G rdner down, who long with you, would help draw int r ted leaders from all walks of life to the dinn r me ting. I will meet with Dr. Moore and members of hi committee Thursday in an ttempt to develop specific: before the committee meets with you next Wedn sday at 3:00 p. m . to outline their plans to you. Such dinner would be held probably the w ek of May 6. Fifi ld ha ugg ted that it be held t hi church. I think w DS :fy should support and encourage uch g thering. Dr . Harry �SUBJECT: Statement of Purpose and Plan of Action for Atlantans Concerned about Riots, Their Causes, and Their Consequences We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting violence. We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe that the deterioration of human relations could do greater damage than the loss of material things if we fail to bring an end to riots and the ·:;_· conditions which spawn the mo We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and human progress the recently released 11 Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders 11 • Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodology or the conclusions of the Commission, we believe the Report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which merit consideration. The Report is a good point of reference and a basis for discussion and action. We are convinced that neither studies, nor resolutions, nor good i ntentions alone will suffic e. We believe that all of the religious l eade rs of Metropolitan Atlanta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create des pair, contribute to human degradation and fuel violence. We, therefore, commit ours e lves to assist in the task of transforming our urban area , that insofar as our abilities and resources permit, we should endeavor to respond to this urban crisisand help create a city where there is p ersonal safety for all persons and property and where there is reason for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this there are many things which we believe must b e done. There must be a pooling of our resources - a coordinated effort for rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens , by leaders in religion, education and business and the professions , in industry and labor , in government and in all walks of life to meet our citizens needs in the following areas o �Page Two 1. 2. 3. 4. Police Protection Education Housing Employment (Note: These areas are spelled out in the Council's memo) As we see it, we must create a new attitude even more than we need to create new programs hut both are needed. To establish new attitudes we must begin with ourselves, ourx families, our churches and synagogues. Therefore, we pledge ourselves to - - - - - (three areas are listed) In order to deve lop wide acceptance of our stat ed purpose and our plan of action, we re s pectfully urge Mayor Iva n Alle n, Jr . to i s s u e invi t a tions to Atlanta : p ~ political, e conomic and r eligious leaders, to citizens representative of all areas of our urban community, to attend the meeting sponsored by the undersigned. with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of this meeting will b e to achieve in the Atlan ta urgan area, an agreement on our stat ed purpos e and to a rr ange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and a new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment. We, by signing this resolution, do d eclaJi-·e ourselves to b e an inter-faith committee and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and the other loca l l eaders of this area for the following purposes. 1. 2. To offer th e full support of ourselves as representatives of the r e ligious community. at To fund a luncheon for l ead e rs and r epresentatives of both races /which time we could hear from Mayor Ivan Allen hi s suggestions as to how all available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objective s. 3 and 4 are listed in other memo. Finally, we invite all citizens to join with us in a commitment to our Statement of Purpose and our Plan of Action a nd we ask the h e lp of Almighty God in this endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area. �I ,. I CITY OF .A I.~ANTA CITY HALL April 3, 1968 ATLANTA, GA. 30303 Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404 IVAN ALLEN, JR., MAYOR R. EARL LANDERS, Administrative Assistant MRS. ANN M. MOSES, Executive Secretary DAN E. SWEAT, JR. , Director of Governmental Liaison MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. From: Subject: Dan Sweat ~ Atlanta Christian Council Civil Disorders Proposal The attached statement was unanimously adopted Tuesday by the Atlanta Christian Council. Johnny Robinson and I met with the Resolutions Committee during the morning to discuss this statement with the members of that committee. The ministers are sincerely interested in contributing directly to the elimination of central city problems and are seeking realistic ways in which to become involved. You will notice they want to finance a luncheon or dinner which you would host. What they really want to do is to organize an Urban Coalition or help formalize the Coalition which we have previously attempted to get started. They desire to invite John Gardner down, who along with you, would help draw interested leaders from all walks of life to the dinner meeting. I will meet with Dr. Moore and members of his committee Thursday in an attempt to develop specifics before the committee meets with you next Wednesday at 3:00 p. m. to outline their plans to you. Such a dinner would be held probably the we e k of May 6. Fifield has suggested that it be held at his church. I think we should support and e ncourage such a gathering. DS : fy Dr. Harry �AGENDA CLERGYMAN'S CONFERENCE April 2, 11 O'Clock, Peachtree Christian Dr. Harry Fifield, Presiding Church I ntroductory Statement, Dr. Harry Fifield Brief Statement on Condition of Situation in Atlanta, Mr. Dan Sweat & Mr. Robinson Mayor's Office 20-Minute period given to program of operation connection, Dr. John Anderson & Dr . Lawren ce Bot toms Motion Presented, Dr. Harry Fifield Discussion Adjournment ~eW 143.215.248.55 ~ (3;J--vf - �A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PLAN OF ACTION FOR ATLANTANS CONCERNED ABOUT RIOTS, THEIR CAUSES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have \\ occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting violence! We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and b elieve that the deterioration of human relations could do greater damage than the los s of mater ial things if we fail to bring an end to the riots and the conditions which spawn them. We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and in human progress the recently release9 Report of the National Advisory Commis sion on Civil Disorders. Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodol ogy or the conclusions of the commission , we b elieve the report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which merit consideration. The report is a good point of r eference and basis for discussion and action. We are c onvinced that n either studie s nor resolutions nor good int entions alone will suffice . We believe that all of the religious leaders of metrop olitan Atl anta should act now t o bring an end to conditions in our m i<l s t wliieh c r eatP. <le spair, con tribute to hum an degradation and fuel viol ence . We, therefore, c ommit our selves to a ssist in the task of tran sformin g our urban area that, insofar as our abilities and resources permit, we shall endeavor Lo 1:e sp on<l to this urban crisis and help create a city where there is personal safety for all persons and property and where there is reason for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this, there are many things which we believe must be done. There must be a pooling of all resources - a coordinated effort by rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens, by leaders in religion and education, in business and the profes sions, in indust r y and labor , in governm ent, and in all wal ks of life to meet our citi?:en s needs in the following a r eas: Police Protection._ Every c itizen is entitled to be secure in his person and property and to fair t reat- ment by law enforcement officials; and, in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey the law and support and cooperate with police officials. �Every citizen must Education have the oppor- tunity for equal educational opp ortunity --knowledge of one's rights and dutues, education for employment, and for living - the essentials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he can afford. Employment There must be training for n ew jobs and retaining for other jobs in our changing t echnology, and the r e must be an end t o dfacriminati on against qualifie d per sons based on s ex , r ace , a ge or handicap. As we see it , we mu st creat e new attitude s even more than we need t o cre ate new pr ograms, but b oth are needed! To e :.t ablish new attituded we mu st b egin with ourselves, our famil ies , our churches and synagogues . Therefor e, we pl edge our s elves to: 1. Carry on mutual int erchanges in ou r churche s with mini ster s and 1ayman of both races di scuss ing th e se critic al areas of concern . 2. Preach and give c ourses within our own church e s dealing with the se areas . 3. Adopt and carry out special projects which contr ibute to the better m ent of condit ions m each of the foregoing areas , and encourage such things as positive support fo r day car e center s , low cost housing corpor ati ons, h ealth clinic s, and t r ainjng empl oyment programs . In order to develop wide ac cept ance of our stated 1,>urpose and our plan of action , we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. to i ssu e invitations to Atlanta's political, economic and religious leaders, and to citizens representative of all areas of our ..... 1,..,,,_ __ ..__,.,,_.:+ .. .,__ n++- A - __......._,_+.: - -- - __ ___, l-.-- Lt.... - �Education Every citizen must have the oppor- tunity for equal educational opportunity ""knowledge of one's rights and dutues, education for employment, and for living - the essentials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he can afford. Employment There must be training for n ew jobs and retaining for other jobs in our changing technology, and there must be an end to discr imination again st qualifie d per sons based on sex , race, age or handicap. As we se e it, we must create n ew attitudes even more than we need to create new programs , but both are needed! To e::.tablish new attituded we mu st begin with oursel ves, our families, our churche s and synagogues . Therefore, we pledge ou rselves to : 1. Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and l ayman of both races discussing these critical areas of concern. 2. Preach and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas. 3. Adopt and carry out special projects which contribute to the bette rment of conditions m each of the foregoing areas, and encourage such things as positive support for day care centers, low cost housing corporations, health clinics, and trainin g employment pr ograms. In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and ou r pl an of action , we re spectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr . to issue invitations to Atlanta's political , economic and religious leaders, and to c itizens r epr esent ative of all areas of ou r urban community to attend a m e etin g spon sored by the undersigned with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of the meeting will be to ac!1 ieve in the Atlanta u han �area an agreement on our stated purpose, and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment. We, by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be 1an inter-faith . committee, and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and other local leaders of this area for the followin g purposes: 1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious community of the urban area for coordinated effort in meeting the needs of every individual. 2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races at which time we could hear from Mayor Allen his suggestions as to how all available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives. 3. To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent meetings and projects. 4 . And to offer ourselves for service on any Council or Committee de aling with these critical area s. Finally , we invite all citizen s to join with us in a commitment to our statement of purpo s e and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almight y God in this endeavor to t ran sform and redeem our enti r e urban area . Si gned on Thi s Day, Tuesday 2nd ,_ of April , 1968 �A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PLAN OF ACTION FOR ATLANTANS CONCERNED ABOUT RIOTS, THEIR CAUSES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting violence! We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe that the deterioration of human relations could do gre ater damage than the loss of mater ial things if we fail to bring an end to the riots and the conditions which spawn them. We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and in human progress the recently released Report of the National Advisory Commis sion on Civil Disorders. Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodology or the conclusions of the commission, we believe the report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which merit consideration. The report is a good point of reference and basis for discussion and action. We are convinced that neither studies nor resolutions nor good intentions alone will suffice. We believe that all of the religious leaders of metropolit an Atlanta should act now t o bring an end to conditions in our midst which c reat e despair , cont ribute to human degradation and fuel violence . We, therefore, com mit our selves to assist in the t a sk of transforming our urban area that, insofar as our abilities and r esour c es permit, we shall endeavor t o re spond to this urban cr i sis and h elp create a city where there is p ersonal safety for all pers ons and property and where there i s re a s on for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this, there are many things which we believe must be done. There must be a pooling of all resources - a coordinated effort by rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens, by leaders in religion and education, in business and the professions, in industry and labor, in government, and in all walks of life to meet our citizens needs in the following areas: Police Protection Every citizen is entitled to be secure in his person and property and to fair treatm ent by law enforcement official s ; and, in turn, ench citizen has a duty to obey the law and support and cooperate with police officials. �Education Every citizen must have the opportunity for equal educational opportunity - Imowledge of one's rights and duties, education for employment, and for living - the essentials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he can afford. Employment There must be training for new jobs and retaining for other jobs in our changing technology, and there must be an end to discrimination against qualified persons based on sex, race, age or handicap. As we see it, we must create new attitudes even more than we need to create new programs, but both are needed! To establish new attitudes we must begin with ourselves, our families, our churches and synagogues. Therefore, we commit ourselves to an effort to: 1. Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman of all races discussing these critical areas of concern. 2. Preach and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas. 3. Adopt and carry out special projects which contribute to the betterment of conditions in each of the foregoing areas, and encourage such tb.ings as positive support for day care centers, low cost housing corporations, health clinics, and training employment programs. In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our plan of action, we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. to issue invitations to Atlanta's political, economic and religious leaders, and to citizens representative of all areas of our urban community to attend a meeting sponsored by the undersigned with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of the meeting will be to achieve in the Atlanta urban �area an agreement on our stated purpose, and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment. We, by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be an inter-faith . committee, and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and other local leaders of this area for the following purposes: 1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious community of the urban area for coordinated effort in meeting the needs of every individual. 2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races at which time we could hear from Mayor Allen his suggestions as to how all available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives. 3. To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent meetings and projects. 4. And to offer ourselves for service on any Council or Committee dealing with ·these critical areas. Finally, we invite all citizens to join with us in a commitment to our . stateme nt of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this endeavor to t r ansform and redeem our entire urban area. Signed on Thi s Day, Tue sday 2nd of Ap ril , 1968 ' �A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PLAN OF ACTION FOR ATLANTANS CONCERNED ABOUT RIOTS, THEIR CAUSES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting violence! We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe that the deterioration of human relations could do gre ater damage than the loss of mater ial things if we fail to bring an end to the riots and the conditions which spawn them. We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and in human progress the recently rel eased Report of the Nati onal Advis ory Comm i s sion on Civil Disorders. Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodology or the conclusions of the commission, we believe the report contains food for thought and suggestion s for action which m erit consider ation. The repor t is a good point of reference and basis for discussion and action. We are convince d that neither studies nor resolutions nor good int entions alone will suffice . We b elieve that all of the r eligious l eaders of met r op olitan Atlanta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con tribute to human degradati on and fuel violence . We, therefore , commit oursel ves to assist in the task of transforming our urban area that, insofar as our abilitie s and resources permit , we shall endeavor -to-respond to this urban crisis and help create a city where there is personal safety for all persons and pr operty and whe r e there is reason for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this, there are many things which we believe mu st be done. There must be a pooling of all resources - a coordinated effort by rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens, by leader s in religion and education, in busine ss and the pr ofessions, in industry and labor, in government, and in all walks of life to meet our c itizen s needs in the following areas: Police Protection Ever y citizen is entitled t o b e secure in his person and property and t o fair t reatment by l aw enforcement officials; and, in turn, eaeh citizen has a duty to obey the law and support and cooperate with police officials. �Education Every citizen must have the opportunity for equal educational opportunity - lmowledge of one I s rights and duties, education for employment, and for living - the,, essentials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he c an afford. Employment There must be training for new jobs and retaining for other job s in our changing technology, and the r e must be an end to discrimination again st qualified per sons based on sex , race, age or handic ap. As we see it, we mu st cre ate new attitudes even m ore than we need t o create new programs , but both are needed! To e stablish new attitude s we must begin with ourselves, our families , our churches and synagogues. Therefore, we commit ourselves to an effort to: 1. Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman of all races discussing these critical areas of concern. 2. Preach and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas. 3. Adopt and carry out special projects which contribute to the betterment of conditions in each of the foregoing areas, and encourage such things as positive support for day care centers, low cost housing corporation s, health clinics, and training emp l oyme nt pr ogr ams. In order to devel op wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our pl an of action, we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, J r. to issue invitations to Atlanta' s political, economic and religious leaders , and t o citizens repres entative of all areas of our urban community to attend a meeting sponsored by the undersigned with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of the meeting will be to achieve in the Atlanta urban �area an agreement on our stated purpose, and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment. We, by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be an inter-faith . committee, and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and other local leaders of this area for the following purposes: 1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious community of the urban area for coordinated effort in meeting the needs . of every individual. 2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races at which time we could hear from Mayor Allen his suggestions as to how all available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives. 3. To support a call for broader mini st erial and lay leadership in subsequent meetings and projects. 4. And to offer ourselves for service on any Council or Committee dealin g with these cr itical areas. Finally , we invite all c iti zens to join with us in a com mit ment t o ou.r. statement of pur pose and our plan of act ion, and we a sk the help of Alm i ghty God in this endeavor to tran sform and r edeem our entire ur ban are a. Signed on This Day, Tuesday 2nd of April, 1968 I �A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PLAN OF ACTION FOR ATLANTANS CONCERNED ABOUT RIOTS, THEIR CAUSES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting \riolence ! We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe that the deterioration of human relations could do greater damage than the loss of mater ial things if we fail to bring an end to the riots and the conditions which spawn them. We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and in human progress the recently released Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodology or the conclusions of the commission , we believe the report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which merit consideration. The report is a good point of reference and basis for discussion and action. We are convinced that neither studies nor resolutions nor good intentions alone will suffice. We believe that all of the r eligious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create de spair, contribute to human degradation and fuel violence. · We, therefore, commit ourselves to assist in the task of transforming our urban area that, insofar as our abilities and resources permit, we shall endeavor to-respond to this urban crisis and help create a city where there is personal safety for all persons and property and where there is reason for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this, there are many things which we believe must be done. There must be a pooling of all resources - a coordinated effort by rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens, by leaders in religion and education, in business and the pr ofessions, in industry and labor, in government, and in all walks of life to meet our citi zens needs in the following areas: Police Protection Every citizen is entitled to be secu r e in his person and propert y and to fair treat- ment by l aw enforcement offic ials; and, in turn, e ach citizen has a duty to obey the law and support and cooperat e with police officials . �Education Every citizen must have the opportunity for equal educational opportunity - knowledge of one I s rights and duties, education for employment, and for living - the ess~ntials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he can afford. Employment There must be training for new jobs and retaining for other jobs in our changing technology, and there must be an end to discrimination against qualified persons based on sex , race, age or handicap. As we see it, we mu st create new attitudes even m ore than we need to cr eate new programs, but both are needed! To est ablish new attitudes we must begin with ours el ves, our families, our chur ches and synagogues. Therefore , we commit ourselves to an effort to : 1. Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman of all races discussing these critical areas of concern. 2. P r each and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas . 3. Adopt and carry out special projects which contribute to the betterment of conditions in each of the foregoing areas, and encourage such things as positive support for day care centers, low cost housing corporations, health clinics, and training employment programs. In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our plan of action, we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. to issue invitations to Atlanta I s politic 81, economic and religious leaders, and to citizens representative of all areas of our urban community to attend a meeting sponsored by the undersigned with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of the meeting will be to achieve in the Atlanta urban �area an agreement on our stated purpose, and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment". We , by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be an inter-faith . committee, and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and other local leaders of this area for the following purposes: 1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious community of the urban area for coordinated effort in meeting the needs of every individual. 2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races at which time we could hear from Mayor Allen his suggestions as to how all available · resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives. 3. To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent meetings and projects. 4. And to offer ourselves for service on any Council or Committee dealing with these critical areas. Finally, we invite all citizens to join with us in a commitment to our st ateme nt of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this endeavor to t r ansform and redeem our entire urban area. Signed on This Day, Tuesday l 2nd of Ap ril , 19 68 �A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND A PLAN OF ACTION FOR ATLANTANS CONCERNED ABOUT RIOTS, THEIR CAUSES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting violence! We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe that the deterioration of human r elations could do greater damage than the loss of mater ial things if we fail to bring an end to the riots and the conditions which spawn them. We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in l aw and order and in human progress the recently released Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. Whether one would agree absolutely with its methodology or the conclusions of the commission, we believe the report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which merit consideration. The r epor t is a good point of r eference and basis for discussion and action. We are convinced that n either studies nor r e solutions nor good intentions alone will suffi ce. We b elieve that all of the r eligious l eaders of metropolitan Atl anta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst -which create despair , contribut e t o human degradation and fuel violence. We, ther efore, c ommit ou rselve s t o assist in the t ask of t ransfor ming our urban area that, in s ofar a s our abilities and resources permit , we sh all endeavor t o respond to this urban cri si s and help create a city where there i s personal safet y for all p ers ons and pr operty and whe r e there is re a s on for hope and opportunity for individu al growth and dignity for every citizen. To do this, t here are many th ings which we believe mu st be done. There must be a pooling of all resources - a c oordinated effort by rich and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens , by l eaders in religion and education, in business and the professions, in industry and labor , in government, and in all walks of life to meet our citizens needs in the following areas: Police Protection Every citizen is entitled to be secure in his person and property and to fair treatment by law enforcement officials; and, in turn, e¥)Ch citizen has a duty to obey the law and support and cooperate with police officials. �Education Every citizen must have the opportunity for equal educational opportunity - lmowledge of one I s rights and duties, education for employment, and for living - the es,sentials to a society of law and order and human progress. Housing Every citizen must have access to decent housing. This goal adopted long ago has not been achieved, and there is yet to be obtained a climate in which every person will have equal opportunity for housing that he can afford. Employment There must be training for new jobs and retaining for other jobs in our changing technology, and there must be an end to discrimination against qualified per son s ba sed on sex , race, age or handicap. As we see it, we mu st create new attitudes even more than we need to create new programs, but both are needed! To establish new attitudes we must begin with ourselves , our families, our churche s and synagogues. Therefore, we commit ourselves to an effort to: 1. Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman of all races discussing these critical areas of concern. 2. P reach and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas. 3. Adopt and carr y out special projects which contribute t o the b etterment of conditions in each of the foregoing areas , and encourage such things a s positive support for day care center s, l ow cost hou sing corporations, health clinics, and t raining employment programs. In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our plan of action, we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. to issue invitations to Atlant a I s political, economic and religious leaders, and to citizens representative of all areas of our urban community to attend a meeting sponsored by the undersigned with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose of the meeting will be to achieve in the Atlanta urban �area an agreement on our stated purpose, and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible resources. We seek a true and new commitment and to develop a simple connectional structure to carry out this commitment. We, by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be an inter-faith . committee, and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor of the City of Atlanta and other local leaders of this area for the following purposes: 1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious community of the urban area for coordinated effort in meeting the needs of every individual. 2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races at which time we could hear from Mayor Allen his suggestions as to how all available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives. 3. To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent meetings and projects. 4. And to offer ourselves for service on any Council or Committee de aling with these critical areas. Finally, we invite all citizens to join with us in a commitment to our stateme nt of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this endeavor to t r ansform and redeem our entire urban area. Signed on This Day, Tue sday 2nd of April , 1968 I �