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8, Terisr to str 2, 1964, Begniusa and Washington Paréch bec, for msay years, been risisily segregated ¢onntnitices, Theatres, restaurants, botsise. sehools, parks, libraries, and ali other public facilities and pisces oF public accommadation anc anausenent had been maintained and operated on a racially segregated basis. All elected parish and city officials in Washington Perdgh anc Eogalusa are aad traditionally have been white persons. 9, In January 1965, an organization known es the gaiuss Voters Leatue, conposed largely cf Negro ti o Gents of Washingtoa Parish, comtenced = campaign to tes gcin equal tights for Negroes in Bofaiusa and in Wesh- mgyton Parish, inelucing rights sesured te Negro eltizerns oy the Civil Rights Act of 1954, In its caupzign the Bogclusa Voters Lecgue was supported by the Congress of Racial Equality,2 natien2zl ozganization devoted to schieving erucl rights for Negroes, Tae means used by these organizations in furthering this campsign ineludec, and still include, the helding of voting registration tinics to instruct qualified Negroes on how to register 6 to vote, the holding of mass nectings in Bogalusa to e¢all attenticn to the grievances of the Negro community and to encourage Negroes to exercise their rights, the picketiag of places of public acconmnodzticn, and other businesses, co nretest raciilly Giserininctory pdlicies in hiviacs —_ wha . vis)