Austin: Civil Rights and Real Estate Clash
Heated Civil Rights Discussion:
The meeting centered on intense discussions regarding civil rights and human dignity, with Rev. Wesley Sims speaking for hours on behalf of the NAACP and Mr. Volma Overton.Focus on Racial Injustice:
Rev. Sims addressed issues of oppression and the "real estate issue," reading extensively from the Bible and a book on improving race relations.Procedural Standoff:
The day was marked by repeated attempts to recess, rescinded votes, and calls for order as Rev. Sims continued his extended address, ultimately leading to a recess until April 9th.
Full Transcript
) CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Recessed Meeting of April 07, 1964 APRIL 7, 1964 10:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall 371 The meeting was called to order with Mayor Palmer presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Absent: None Present also: W. T. Williams, Jr., City Manager; Doren R. Eskew, City Attorney; Robert A. Miles, Chief of Police Mayor Palmer stated the Council had been session for 23 hours and he was still recognizing MR. VOLMA OVERTON. The Mayor suggested that the Council recess for 30 or 40 minutes and ask Mr. Overton to come in and state his position as there was come conflict. REV. WESLEY SIMS stated he was there to speak for Mr. Overton and stated the N.A.A.C.P. would not compromise any human dignity. At 10:10 A.M. Councilman long moved that the Council recess until 1:00 P.M. The motion, seconded by Councilman Shanks, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None He REV. SIMS stated he had not been officially recognized and he was supposed to speak as the Council recessed while he was speaking yesterday. said the Council was out of order to recess and he suggested that the Council be called back into session. The Mayor called the Council back into session at 10:15 Α.Μ. Councilman Long moved that the Council rescind its vote to recess. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None The Mayor recognized Rev. Sims. REV. SIMS said a prayer and read the 37th Psalms. He discussed the problems in Austin. Councilman Long moved that the Council recess for five minutes. The motion, seconded by Councilman LaRue, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None -CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS April 7, 1964 372 ? The Council resumed its meeting with REV.SIMS continuing to speak. He read several Chapters from the Bible and spoke on love and hate, the oppressed, and the human dignity of any man. He reviewed a magazine put out by the Chamber of Commerce called "Austin in Action" and discussed the real estate issue. He read from the book "What's Right with Race Relations", until 12:15 P.M. Councilman Long moved that the Council recess until 2:00 P.M. The motion, seconded by Councilman LaRue, carried by the following vote: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Ayes: Noes: None RECESSED MEETING 2:00 Ρ.Μ. At 2:00 P.M., the Council resumed its meeting, with Rev. Sims reading "What's Right with Race Relations". Senator Joe Hill called for point of order, and Rev. Sims kept speaking, and reading from Lamentations. Late in the evening Councilman Long moved that the Council recess until 10:00 A.M., Thursday, April 9th. The motion, seconded by Councilman LaRue, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Noes: None Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer