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PROTEST STATEMENT When the Board of Education denied Paul Robeson a place to speak in the Hest End, it struck a heavy blow et Americon freedom. We protest that denial as fundamentally un-Americans It is not in the American tradition for eny Board to determine what opinions are to be advocated in buildings for commumity uses We, the wmdersigned protest the denial of ao school auditorium to Poul Robeson by the Cincinnati School Board | os en attck on the right of free speech. - We chellenge the statement of the Boord that the meeting cannot be permitted becouse the Board fears violence. Are we to understand thot the City of Circinneti is no longer oble to defend a citizen's right to speok--that it is hoodlum group in town to threaten violence as a means of preventing the opposition from spesking. Not the opinions of Paul Robeson, but his right to state them is the issue here. It is meaningless to pretend that a man has the right of free speech when public auditoriums, open to others, are denied him.That is censorship-~-not free speeche- she , We submit that Freedom 4s the most veluoble heritage of the Amerioan peoplee Ne submit that the arbitrary sction of the School Bosrd violates freedom in our community. We therefore call on the Board to reconsider its ill-advised action. We call on the City Council to state clearly that the City is able and willing. to protect free speeche We onli on other citizens to join us in this proteste *~ a ghee _ SEALE ar res ase TE reac “ wa Fare Bsns OT tera ied ete eee ee re “no longer able to maintein low ond order? If so, the Board has invited every...