Austin Civil Rights Debate & Long Public Speech
- Austin leaders debated establishing a new "Agency" to handle public complaints, examining multiple proposed ordinances related to human relations and civil rights.
- Council members acknowledged the complex issue of ensuring equal rights for all citizens, emphasizing the need for thorough study before making decisions.
- Public speaker Claude Allen delivered an extensive, impassioned address for over five hours, detailing racial discrimination, integration, and justice in Austin.
- Allen's lengthy commentary, covering topics like the "ghetto system" and the urgency for action, dominated the entire meeting, preventing other speakers and leading to an early recess.
Full Transcript
=CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Recessed Meeting of April 03, 1964 APRIL 3, 1964 8:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall 3 The meeting was called to order with Mayor Palmer presiding. Roll call: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Present: Absent: None Present also: W. T. Williams, Jr., City Manager; Doren R. Eskew, City Attorney; Robert A. Miles, Chief of Police At the request of Mayor Palmer, Mr. Claude Allen relinquished the floor to Mr. Doren Eskew, City Attorney, to make a report. MR. ESKEW made a detailed report on a proposed agreement the City could enter into with an "Agency". The Mayor asked the members of the Council for comments regarding the creating of an Agency to hear complaints. Councilman Long said she was for passing an ordinance that would have effect. Councilman LaRue stated the Council had been presented with three ordinances, the Witherspoon Ordinance, the City Council's Human Relation Committee Ordinance and the El Paso Ordinance, and now the City Attorney's Report and he suggested that the Council study these. Councilman Shanks concurred with Councilman LaRue that all of these would have to be studied. Councilman White said he was for the people and he felt they should have their rights, but not more rights than others. He said he thought the Council should take more time. The City Attorney stated this was not a Committee or Commission but an Agency, and the Agency would be full time. The Mayor said the Council recognized the problem and it would not be settled by default but it could not be settled over night. He said this would affect about 12% of the people and the Council had to think of all of the people. He asked that the Council be given an opportunity to study this and that communicati ons be kept open. At this point Mayor Palmer recognized MR. ALLEN. MR. ALLEN commented on the City Attorney's report and continued speaking until 12:00 noon on the various ordinances, discrimination and integration in Austin, leadership, Department of Public Safety, the courts, the ghetto system, time for action, the white ruling class, justice, education, etc. Councilman Long moved that the Council recess until 1:30 P.M. The motion seconded by Councilman Shanks, carried by the following vote: Ayes: _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS April 3, 1964 301 Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None RECESSED MEETING At 1:30 P.M. the Council resumed its meeting. 1:30 Ρ.Μ. The Mayor recognized Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen continued to speak until 2:00 P.M. and then announced he would yield the floor to Rev. Wesley Sims. Mayor Palmer stated the Council would hear Rev. Sims until 3:00 P.M. and then would continue with the Agenda. Rev. Sims protested being heard for only one hour. Mr. Allen did not yield the floor and continued speaking about integration and racial discrimination until 5:50 Ρ.Μ. Councilman long moved that the Council recess until 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 6th, 1964. The motion, seconded by Councilman Shanks, carried by the following vote: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Ayes: Noes: None