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one frg® t - cP ae er | 3 . on oy Local citizens today started 4 legal fund for use in defending white people involved in civil rights cases. A spokesman for the group said: “For many years the NAACP has operated a, legal defense fund. lions of dollars on the prosecution sof civil court actions involving ci- vil rights and in the defense of in- dividual negroes charged with var- ious crimes, all this in addition | having the avowed comfort, aid and support of the United States| Justice Department. Their success is apparent. This fund has enjoyed a tax exempt status for many . | years.” “Today we sce the lives of white cilizens both as individuals and in groups swept into the current 1a- cial chaos. Many white citizens are unable or hesitant to secure prompt and competenat-legal assis- 7+ . Itance.” ! ‘| “We believe the time has come t to establish a white citizens legal 4d{und for counter action against various civil righis suits and to provide legal advice apd counsel for white citizens who are threat: ef€d with or involved in civil rights litigation at the earliest possible moment in all cases where it is deemed necessary and able.” “Byron DeLa Beckwith, an ex Marine wounded in combat, has| heen charged with the murder of; NAACP Field Secretary Medgar Evers. Mr. Beckwith is a 32nd Negrce Mason, a Shriner, a Com- municant of Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. We do not condone the murder of Medgar E- vers and, of couse, we have no idea of the guilt: or innocence of the accused but we feel that he is entitled to competent legal counsel and to 2 fair trial. initially will be used to provide legal counsel for Mr. Beckwith if he ig found to be in necd of funds. The fund will be admiuistered by a committee of prominent Grecn- wood citizens who will make any’ . tdecisina neewas ry as to disburse- ome eo} oat ahd. dit is intend- : , i.e fund. - . «pi wilh be made to ac- Guire 2 .ax exempt status! <A spokesman for the fund said any- one who is interested in contrib- uting to mail his cheek, cash or money order to the White Citizens Legal Fund P, 0. Box 738, Green- wood, Mississippi. j GREENWOOD COMMON'VEALTH, Greg They have raised and spent mil-] . advis-|. “Monies collected for this fund)” J 34 ti bi is ke —_— — q a nee . : Cc t3) ) _) =I) ~y oar amr yi qae \ ‘ .4 roommate en er oe \ re 1 (Fe. ' ‘ 3 ' an 1} rd wry: ! : ey Hu Ee ei ec ste eS P. O. BOX 738 GREENWOOD. MISSISSIPPI ° ad GREENWOOD'S THREE BANK PRESIDENTS ARE ACTING FINANCIAL ADVISORS FOR THE FUND. 16 TH COMMERCIAL @ SSDAY MORNING, JULY 9,1 [Directors Chose om APPEAL, ME Greenwood Group 7 fend Whites In Law Special to The Commercial 4 GREENWOOD, Miss 8.—A board of direct been named to han White Citizens Legal F cently organized here in defending white per. volved in civil rights The fund was start weeks ago after a Gre man, Byron De La E was charged with the of NAACP Field S Medgar Evers. Named to the board A. Barrentine, J. T. Sr., Sam Williams, J. guson Ellett Lawre: Frank K, Odom, Hug J.H, Stanton, A. H. Be ert Wingate, Charles I ders, Noll Davis, G. }¥ Lean and Howard Star The presidents of C wood’s three banks, Parish Jr., W. C. Ne J. H. Peebles, are se: financial advisers. - A spokesman for t isaid “We do not conc ‘murder of Medgar Ev lof course, we have no the guilt or innocence jaccused but we feel tt ientitled to competent counsel and to a fair He added, “‘It is ¢ hoped that the area of of the fund will b: broader than in assi financing this one m fense. When you cons awesome spectacle of : standing alone against ponderous power, a wealth and ingenuity Federal Government, agents of the Federal of Investigation, Fe \marshals, the Jackso Department and al! . lice authorities of ‘!.: Mississippi, not is $27,000 in reward 3 staggers the imagina It was pointed out “|NAACP hag operatec defense fund many y: has spent millions o “Jon the prosecution o. court actions involv: rights and in defens dividual Negroes.