◆ SpookStack

VISIT OF ROY WILKINS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | . FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED i PEOPLE TO MISSISSIPPI TO PARTICIPATE 7 ee IN PROTEST MARCH AT CLARKSDALE, | f MISSISSIPPI, NOVEMBER 22, 1969 tae. ~ - 8 ge the meeting would be followed by a protest march at 10:00 - A.M., through downtown Clarksdale to the front of the Coahoma County Courthouse where Wilkins was to make a brief speech concerning the school desegregation issue in Clarksdale and Coahoma County, Mississippi. A menorial sepvice for President Kennedy was held at the First Baptist GHurch, Clerkedale, at 8:30 A.M., November 22, 1969. e service was led by Aaron Henry and Reverend Willie B. Crump, pastor of the Haven Methodist _ Church, ClarksdaJé, Wilkins was lete in his arrival from _/ Memphis, Tenneséee; however, he arrived about 9:15 A.M., and he spoke briefly concerning his admiration for President Kennedy, particularly mentioning the fact that Kennedy had the courage to face the issue of his religion as a major factor in his campaign, Wilkins advised the group ef about 80 Negroes that they should recognize that there are many white people who are willing to give assistance to Negroes. The service was followed by a meeting of 40 Mississippi NAACP Chapter Presidents, according to Henry, who advised on November 22, 1969, that the chapter representatives contributed about $1,700.00 to the NAACP at the meeting. - 7 At 10:00 A.M., 480 Negroes marched from the | ce First Baptist Church through downtown Clarksdale, escorted by local police officers, to the Coahoma County Cour thouss, where a public address system had been installed on the Courthouse steps. woe Ss cn