Box 14, Folder 15, Complete Folder

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Text

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 which face the city.

The idea of the ministers is to have a meeting which would include
the religious leadership from the five county area, the elected
political leadership, top business, labor and education, In effect,
they are talking about an Urban Coalition type mass meeting of the
top leadership.

They are speaking in terms of from 500 to 1,000 persons.

What apparently prompted this interest on the part of the Clergy was
Al Bows speech to them, It is now felt that Mr. Bows has put the
Clergy on the spot and there is fear that the business community has
gotten out ahead of the religious community.

The ministers who are hehind this movement feel that the time is at
hand to encourage some of the more timid ministers, particularly in
the suburbs, to get moving. They feel that if these ministers can see
what some of the business community is doing and saying, people like








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 program would
consist of ''rip-snorting" speeches from you, Paul Austin, John Gardner
and a key religious figure.

The ministers' 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 Sweat

Subject: Atlanta Christian Council Divil 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 Cohlition 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 week of May 6. Dr. Harry
Fifield has suggested that it be held at his church.

I think we should support and encourage such a gathering.

DS: fy




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 them.

We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and
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 Reportis a good point of reference and a 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 Metropolitan
Atlanta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create
despair, 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
should endeavor to respond to this urban crisisand 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 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,










Page Two

l. Police Protection
Z. Education

3. Housing

4, 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 but both are needed, To establish new attitudes we
must begin with ourselves, our families, our churches and synagogues.

Therefore, we pledge ourselves to - -- - -

(three areas are listed)

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 pukrtkones political, economic and religious 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 be to achieve in the Atlanta urgan area, an agreement
on our stated purpose and to arrange 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 declare ourselves to be an inter-faith
committee and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor
of the City of Atlanta and the other local leaders of this area for the
following purposes,

1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the
religious community,
at
2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races /which
time we could hear from Mayor Ivan Allen his suggestions as to how all
available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives.

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 and we ask the help of Almighty God in this
endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area,










i
'
CITY HALL ATLANTS, GA. 30303
April 3, 1968 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: Dan Sweat Dey

Subject: 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 week of May 6. Dr. Harry
Fifield has suggested that it be held at his church.

I think we should support and encourage such a gathering.

DS : fy










AGENDA
CLERGYMAN'S CONFERENCE

April 2, 11 O'Clock, Peachtree Christian Church
Dr. Harry Fifield, Presiding

Introductory 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. Lawrence Bottoms

Motion Presented, Dr. Harry Fifield

Dat ha ebut!

Discussion ,
Adjournment prey
pak

ped. 1130












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 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 citizén 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 religious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta
should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con-
tribute 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 lo respond
to this urban crisis and help create a city where there is personal safety for all per-
sons 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 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 treat-
ment by law enforcement officials; and,
in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey
the law and support and cooperate with

police officials.






Education

Housing

Emp loyment

Every citizen must have the oppor-
tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity ~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.

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.

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 attituded we must begin with

ourselves, our families, our churches and synagogues.

Therefore, we pledge ourselves to:

1, Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman of

both races discussing these critical areas of concern,

2. Preach and give courses within our own churches dealing with these areas.

8. 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's political

economic and religious leaders, and to citizens representative of all areas of our

ee i ee eR ie i a a




Education Every citizen must have the oppor-

tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity -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.

Emp loyment 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 attituded we must begin with
ourselves, our families, our churches and synagogues.

Therefore, we pledge ourselves to:

1, Carry on mutual interchanges in our churches with ministers and layman 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 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'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 wrban








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 statement

of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this

endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area.

Signed on This 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 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 religious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta
should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con-
tribute 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 per-
sons 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 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 treat-
ment by law enforcement officials; and,
in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey
the law and support and cooperate with

police officials.








Education. Every citizen must have the oppor-

tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity - knowledge of one's rights and
duties, education for employment,
and for living - the essentials to a
society of law and order and human
progress,

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.

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.
8. 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'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 Aflanta 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:

Le

To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the religious
community of the urban area fér coordinated effort in meeting the needs

of every individual.

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.

To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent
meetings and projects.

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. statement

of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this

endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area.

Signed on This 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 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 religious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta
should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con-
tribute 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 per-
sons 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 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 treat-
ment by law enforcement officials; and,
in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey
the law and support and cooperate with

police officials.




Education. Every citizen must have the oppor-
tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity - knowledge of one's rights and
duties, education for employment,
and for living - the essentials to a
society of law and order and human
progress,

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 things as
positive support for day care centers, low cost housing corporations,

health clinies, and training employment programs,

In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our plan of action

3

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.

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.

To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent
meetings and projects.

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. statement

of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this

endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area.



Signed on This 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 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 religious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta
should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con-
tribute 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 per-
sons 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 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 treat-
ment by law enforcement officials; and,
in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey
the law and support and cooperate with

police officials.




Education. Every citizen must have the oppor-
tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity - knowledge of one's rights and
duties, education for employment,
and for living - the essentials to a
society of law and order and human
progress.

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.

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.

8. 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'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 fér 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 statement

of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this

endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area.

Signed on This 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 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 religious leaders of metropolitan Atlanta
should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create despair, con-
tribute 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 per-
sons 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 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 treat-
ment by law enforcement officials; and,
in turn, each citizen has a duty to obey
the law and support and cooperate with

police officials.






Education

Housing

Employment

Every citizen must have the oppor-
tunity for equal educational oppor-
tunity - Inowledge of one's rights and
duties, education for employment,
and for living - the essentials to a
society of law and order and human
progress,

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.

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 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'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 ih 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.

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.

To support a call for broader ministerial and lay leadership in subsequent

meetings and projects,
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. statement
of purpose and our plan of action, and we ask the help of Almighty God in this

endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area.

Signed on This Day, Tuesday 2nd of_April, 1968


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