Box 10, Folder 12, Document 2

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Box 10, Folder 12, Document 2

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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ATLANTA, INC.

101 MARIETTA STREET BLDG,
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
525-4262

c. 0. EMMERICH
ADMINISTRATOR



September 12, 1966

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr.

Director of Governmental Liaison
City of Atlanta

City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Dan:

A committee called on me this morning along with representatives
from one of our projects suggesting ways in which our City might
help quieten our people. Rev. Albert R. Dreisbach, Jr. and a
young Negro Baptist preacher were the ones that did most of the
talking.

The first thing they said probably the Mayor should do is to
quit playing the part of a hero. They are afraid he might be
hurt and it could cause a real riot.

They suggested that the Mayor quit telling them about our great
city and what we hope to accomplish. This calls for a high
degree of reasoning on their part and at the present the people
are acting from emotional upset and fright.

They said the Mayor should stop calling on the Summit Leadership
and several leaders such as Rev. Borders and Rev. King, Sr. He
claims the young people are not impressed and assume they are
speaking for the white people.

They further suggested that the police try to be less aggressive.
Mr. Sweat -2- September 12, 1966

They also wanted to know why the Georgia Baptist Hospital was
not used to help the boys in trouble. They also suggested the
Mayor quit blaming all of this on SNCC as there are a lot of
people that also dislike SNCC that are emotionally involved
and the more he persecutes SNCC at this time the more these
people will come to the aid of SNCC. At one time they even
suggested that they wished Carmichael was out of jail.

One of the main stories they were fussing about was that two
Grady ambulances came to the rescue of the police but almost
. ignored the Negroes that had been shot.

The next thing they pointed out is that the Mayor has not
expressed great concern about the second Negro that is wounded.
This is what is bothering the community. Some think he has
died.

Frankly, these are things that most anyone could tell you, how-
ever, when I pressed them for positive things they could only
suggest five ideas which they think may work.

1. Have the Mayor report often by TV, radio and news-
paper on his concern for the second wounded Negro.
Give as much proof as possible that he is still
doing well, etc.

2. Have the Mayor make himself available for some of the
members to come in and gripe to him. They feel at
this time some of these people need to ventilate (?)
on their own. It would only mean the Mayor would
listen to some of these people and really let them
tell the the story.

3. Have the Mayor investigate why the ambulances did not
arrive to pick up the Negro boys (if this is true).

4. Try to pick up some quick success stories of things
that are being accomplished right now.

5. Have reports come out often on the detectives efforts
on trying to find the murderers. Let it be known by
all the press media that every effort is being made.
Mr. Sweat -3- September 12, 1966

I realize there is not a thing said here that you are not aware
of already, but since this was the consensus of the group I
thought I would send it on to you.

Under separate letter I am giving you a report on some of the
things we are now doing.

Sincerely yours,

c. O. Emmerich

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