Integration Report I

This documentary features archive film material dating from the struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. The marches and meetings held by Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders are evidence of change in progress, while other images make the continuing existance of segregation in all domains of life (in public, at work and at school) painfully clear.

Historic Relevance

The early 1960’s saw an increase in the intesity of the civil rights struggle in the United States. The demonstrations and protests shown in this film lead to the reform of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. This law guarantees racial equality for all at school, work and in public life.

Scenes

Montgomery, Alabama, city of famous busboycot
Demonstration against lunch counter segregation.
Interview with Robert Williams, Monroe, North Carolina
In the 1960’s, local and NAACP president Robert Williams of Monroe, North Carolina attracted attention by saying ‘violence must be met with violence’. In this scene, he explains his point of view.
Speech by Thomas Russel Jones about police brutality
A speech by attorney and civil rights activist Thomas Russel Jones against police brutality.
Speech by NAACP president of Greenville, South Carolina, A.J. Wittenberg about aiport
A speech by A.J. Wittenberg about an incident at the airport. The police arrested a black man, Mr Robinson, at the airport, because he sat down in the waiting room. According to the manager of the airport this waiting room was not for blacks.
Speech by Tom A. Boyer
Speech by Tom A. Boyer about the struggle for ‘political liberty, economic opportunity and human dignity’.
Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. about ‘the face of the future’ and ‘the generation of integration’.
Speech by Bayard Rustin
Speech by Bayard Rustin who throws heaps of praise upon the crowd. Blacks and whites gathered together that day to demonstrate for integration and equal rights.
School integration in Glendale, Californie
For the first time black and white children are going to the same schools in Glendale, Californie. This causes commotion among white mothers.The mothers are inteviewed by a reporter about the integration at schools.
Arrests in store departments
Protests by black people against the refusal of store departments giving lunch counter service to black students. A lot of people who refuse to leave the building get arrested. Images of people standing in front of the policestation, supporting the arrested persons.