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oY ee er a OS QO Tr es Sh A TY A Sat CO fee “Ed ' r ee ; \ athe x ts 7 yom DP ne re - Page B- = The Knovville News-Sentinel Sunday, Rovember 20, 1968 | E-T ACLU Branch) Defends Rights | of Highlander - Mayor Rogers Says Center Is Entitled To Full Protection Union has condemned recent at- tacks, beth verbal and physical, on the Highlander Research and Education Center on Riverside Drive as “attacks upon the right of free epeech and free ass0- elation.” Mayor Leonard Rogers has Baan infarened hy latter of ae My, wa MEtil imuiOT bru 'y aULLUa Lad recent resolution adopted by East Tennessee Branch, which # retired TVA engineer. The is headed by Harry Wiersema, mayor agreed that Highlander is entitled to protection. Attacks ‘Unwarranted’ “We are aware of recent events,” the letter said, ‘con cerning the Highlander Re- search and Education Center, dasluding hambinge firrecnonel. Ceti J Leia idiealatete! — teak I abbas ble attacks by a local néwspa- per and handbilis, insurance cancellation and attempts to re- voke the state charter, with veiled reference to undisclosed information in City Counell meetings. These are considered unwarranted attacks upon this institution.” The resolution states: “The Board of Directors of the Eact Tennessee Civil Liher- ties Union takes note of recent attacks upon the rights of free epeech and free association of all citizens of our community and state. We affirm that any locally constituted school or oth- er organization must be protect- ed from violence against its property, no matter how contro- versial its activities, and we command the efforts that have been made to protect the prop- erty of the Highlander Resea and Education Center. We fur- ther affirm the right of such an organization to pursue {ts edu- cation program under its state charter and we cal! upon other citizens to stand vith bea fa), supporting this basie American) freedom.” Coe | a The East Tennessee Branch of the American Civil Liberties Showld-Heave Evidence Mayor Rogers said that while he does not condone all the ac- tivities of Highlander, the cen- ter is entitled to full protection under the law. “I swore to uphold the law end protect the rights of any citizen whether I agree or dis- “Some have made charges . against Highlander and as often is true, they are not restricted to facts. The FBI amd the In- temal Revenue Service both have cleared’ Highlander Center. Those citizens who level charges should .come forth with svi dence. Until such evidence is presented, I shall see that High- lander’s property and rights are protected from those who would | teke the Jaw into their own: hands,"" Mayor Rogers said.. I would do for any citi-! ES ALL INFORMATIO HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFICD DATE_cis}e4 oes BY SPST