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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 1982)
national Battalion/Page 9 February 22, 1982 Fistfights result from protest march 500 activists protest hanging United Press International MONROE, Ga. — Fistfights erupted and hundreds of angry blacks and Ku Klux Klansmen shouted racial insults at each other over a human barrier of state troopers Saturday before 500 civil rights activists marched arm-in-arm into Monroe to pro test the hanging death of a black soldier. Two blacks and two whites were arrested during the march, and police said four handguns and a shotgun were taken from the men, one of whom also was charged with assaulting a police officer. No injuries were re ported. Veteran civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy and Georgia state Rep. Tyrone Brooks led about 500 chanting and singing blacks and whites, arms linked, down Monroe’s main street to the tiny courthouse square, where they were greeted by ab out 1,500 blacks and 500 Klansmen. About 100 state troopers, some wearing bulletpropf vests, kept the groups well separated after a fistfight broke out in the afternoon, but the officers just stood by rigidly as Klansmen loudly chanted “damn niggers” and were answered by blacks trying to outshout them with “fired up, we’re fired up.” Armed officers also were sta tioned on roofs of buildings sur rounding the square and plainc lothes officers roamed the crowd trying to spot potential trouble. No other incidents were reported by nightfall. The 11-mile march from So cial Circle, Ga., to Monroe was called to protest the death of Pvt. Lyn Jackson, whose body was found hanging 20 feet off the ground from a tree in Social Cir cle. A racially-mixed coroner’s jury ruled Tuesday that Jackson had hanged himself. Many blacks believe he was murdered and are demanding a federal in vestigation. The blacks have said they do not necessarily believe race was an issue in Jackson’s death, but contend that authorities are treating the case lightly because he is black. “We’re not afraid today, and we’re not going to take it any more,” Abernathy, former pres ident of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, shouted as the Klan gathering tried to drown him out with chants of “white power, white power.” Abernathy, charging that there were no limbs for Jackson to climb and insisting that he was killed, said he would go to I Washington and personally ask President Reagan to call a feder al grand jury to investigate the death of Jackson. One of several fistfights occurred when two blacks tried to enter a business place called “Monroe Fun and Games” sev eral hours before the marchers arrived. Whites blocked the doorway, and when the blacks neared, fists started flying. Almost in stantly, about 20 highway pat rolmen, who were apparently stationed out of sight behind the county courthouse, waded into the throng and broke up the fight. About 300 marchers began the 11-mile trek from Social Cir cle at 12:30 p.m., where about 150 Klansmen, their wives and children gave them a loud and raucus send-off of racial taunts. Singing “Ain’t Nobody Gon na Turn Me ‘round,” a civil rights movement song, the mar chers entered the cotton mill town of Monroe 500 strong, having picked up people along the way. The crowd in Monroe, too, had grown, so that when the marchers arrived there was a total of about 2,000 blacks and about 500 whites. Four young whites carried a huge Confederate flag and cir cled the red brick courthouse. Teller 2- ,t, $M l y SumanK li Hotel room honored is NOW OPEN in COLLEGE STATION for earlier Capitol idea United Press International BATON ROUGE — A hotel room that 50 years ago was briefly declared the state Capitol has been located by historians and will receive that official de signation at a special anniver sary celebration. “This charming bit of Louisiana history deserves some kind of mention,” Gino Starita, manager of the Capitol House Hotel, said. “We will give it the honor it deserves.” however, will not be held in the room but downstairs in the hotel bar. Starita said Gov. Dave Treen, Lt. Gov. Bobby Free man, Senate President Michael O’Keefe and other state officials had been invited, along with any history buffs who want to attend. ustrialdisftl Historians determined Room 443 of the structure was the place from which Lt. Gov. Paul Cyr sought to run the state dur ing a feud with Gov. Huey Long in 1932. The ceremonies Wednesday, In late January 1932, Cyr charged that Long had vacated the office of governor by taking the oath of office as a U.S. sena tor. Cyr had himself sworn in as chief executive. 1 Long in turn charged Cyr had vacated the office of lieutenant governor and had the president of the Senate, Alvin O. King, sworn in as acting governor. Cyr tried to occupy the governor’s office in the Capitol but Long had it ringed with state police and militia. As an alternative, Cyr regis tered at the Heidelberg Hotel — as the Capitol House was then known — and declared it the new seat of government. He cal led King the head of insurrec tionary forces who had seized the office of governor by force. The result of all this squab bling was that King continued to serve as acting governor for sev eral months until a new one picked by Long — O.K. Allen — was elected. Cyr was evicted by the Heidel berg management after two days, moved to another hotel and soon went back to his home in Jeanerette. Now you cun enjoy the convenience of 24-hour banking with Teller 2-Pulse in College Station. First City’s Convenience Banking Center is now open. It is located at the comer of DOMEVIK and PURYEAR. This new Teller 2-Pulse facility will bring bank services closer to you. y visa part of tit i an-countti rity-type est worker:) S ind labor : j ,th t . kable ant said the® | tification ; foolpr® ate. Parton cancels appearances to have emergency surgery h Bit ' u ication rRITION TAMl' United Press International NEW YORK — Singing star Dolly Parton has canceled her appearances for the next four to six weeks because of emergency gynecological surgery, a spokes woman said Saturday. The spokeswoman said Par- ton’s physician insisted on “com plete rest away from work and other strenuous chores for at least four to six weeks.” The nature of the operation was not disclosed. Parton could not immediately be reached for comment. The spokeswoman said a further examination will be made later to decide when Par- ton can resume her professional commitments. The cancellations include appearances at the Houston Livestock Show, the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Ind., and the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland. Parton starred in the recent movie hit, “9 to 5 ”. JAZZERCISE A New session of Jazzercise will be starting in College Station on February 23. jazzercise is a unique way of body conditioning using joyful jazz dance move ments and swinging music. Each class works through a warm-Up period, peak performance, then cool down. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-5:45 p.m. or 6-6:45 p.m. Registration can be completed by calling instructor, Cindy, at 693-1309, after 5 p.m. please, or students can register in class. Classes are held at the Unitarian Fellowship, 305 Well born Rd., and each 4 week session, 2 classes per week, is $15. REACHING FURTHER. DOING MORE. riRSTClTY. 1 First City National Bank of Bryan Member H)l( One Two Fingers Dorm Shirt Yours for $ 6 95 It’ll cover you up- It’ll keep you warm. Besides, it says you have good taste when it comes to Tequila. Two Fingers. Order one up. . . the Tequila and the Dorm Shirt. Just fill out the coupon below and send along $6.95 for each shirt. The rest is up to you. Send check or money order to: Two Fingers Tequila Merchandise Offer P.O. Box 02609, Detroit, MI 48202 Please send me Dorm Shirt(s). I have enclosed $6.95 for each Dorm Shirt ordered. Specify women's size(s): □ Small □ Medium □ Large □ Extra Large Name Address City State Zip No purchase required. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer good in Continental U.S. only. Void where prohibited by law. Michigan residents add sales tax. Offer expires August 31, 1982. ©1981. Imported and bottled by Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc., Burlingame, CA. Tequila, 80 Proof. Product of Mexico. Two Fingers is all it takes. d on' hos 1 Youth Agency Administration The Key To Your Future through American Hu manic* ARE YOU A PERSON WHO: LIKES TO WORK WITH PEOPLE LIKES TO BE CREATIVE LIKES A GOOD CHALLENGE LIKES TO TAKE CHARGE LIKES YOUNG PEOPLE AND CARES ABOUT THEM IF "YES" CONSIDER YOUR CAREER POSSIBILITIES WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS/YOUTH SERVICES BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA BOYS CLUBS OF AMERICA CAMPFIRE, INC. 4-H PROGRAM GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, INC. YMCA OF THE USA YWCA OF THE USA OTHER REGIONAL & LOCAL YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BARBARA GRAHAM TEXAS A&M AMERICAN HUMANICS STUDENT ASSOCIATION PHONE 713/845-3837 SUMMER JOBS INTERVIEWS WITH CAMP OWNERS AND DIRECTORS ON Tuesday, February 23, 1982 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM MSC — Rooms 137, 140 ALL TAMU STUDENTS ARE WELCOME Recruiters representing about 20 camps will be available to visit with you about jobs at their carjpps this summer. CAMP DAY