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_ BaSOLUTION * WHEABAS ; ALSOLVED: RESOLVzD: REBOYYEP} the G- THE BILL OF RIGHTS MUST BE RESTORED IN PEORIA We, officers and members of the Peoria Branch of the Bational Association for the Advancement of Col- ored People, affiliated with the National Organiza- tion of the NAACP, withmore than 1,500,000 members 1 America, protest ceainat the action of the City Cow anc the Mayor of City of Peoria in denying Peul Robeson, an American citizen, the civil right of put lic appearance in our city, and The action taken by Peoria'’s City Government suppres ing the right of free speech, and the right of asseudlage in our city, has openly violated the Unit States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and The action taken by suppressing Civil Rights in our city has bestirred prétests from the freedom loving people in all stations of life throughout America, ringing condemnation and shame upon our city, and Exercising the right of redress of grievance, we cal to the attention of the City Aldermen and the Mayor that they were elected as servants of the people, ar we remind them that they are not vested with the pow or authority to legislate or rule pgainst the United States Constitution or the Bill of Rights, which gua antees to all the people the right of free speech, free press, and free assemblage, free from coercion, intimidation or molestation, and The utlconstitutional’ action which directly effected the public appearance of Paul Robeson in the City of Peoria is a glaring example of the depth of discrin- ination prevailing in our city, and to the best of our Imowledge, not once since our Cit Government tock this unconstitutional action against eivil rights, has the Mayor or any of the City Alder men publicily announced that they uphold the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and we cail upon them now to make it definitely clear shere they stand on our Constitutional rights, and The Peoria Ministerial Association must be praised a commended for the resolution it passed on Monday, Ap £1, 1947, in which it declared if effect that democr and the right of free speech and assemblage must pre veil in our city, NOW THEREFORE BE IT That the City Council of the City of Peoria, Tllinot rescind the action taken by them on Tuesday, April 1 1947, being unconstitutional and in violation of the civil rights of the people, AND BE IT FURTHER That the City Council publicly announce that the Peo Ministerial Association has their full support in it request that Paul Robeson return to Pecria under it’ auspices, and that the City Council shall guarantee that any public meeting ar d ty the Ministerial Association shall be adaqua fy and properly protect ed against interference, coercion and intimidation AND BE XT FINALLY ee oe That copies of these resolutions be forwarded to the Peopis City Council, the Mayor of the City of Peoria presse the radio, the National Organizations, of oAAcCePe, the Peoria Ministerial Association ¢ tS GUGh Other persons or organizations as may be