Box 14, Folder 15, Document 3

Box 14, Folder 15, Document 3

SUBJECT: Statement of Purpose and Plan of Action for Atlantans
Concerned about Riots, Their Causes, and Their Consequences

We, the undersigned Atlantans, are deeply concerned about the riots which
have occurred in our nation with increasing frequency and with mounting
violence,

We are concerned about the consequences of continued rioting and believe
that the deterioration of human relations could do greater damage than the
loss of material things if we fail to bring an end to riots and the conditions
which spawn them.

We commend to every thoughtful citizen who believes in law and order and
human progress the recently released ''Report of the National Advisory
Commission on Civil Disorders'', Whether one would agree absolutely
with its methodology or the conclusions of the Commission, we believe
the Report contains food for thought and suggestions for action which
merit consideration, The Reportis a good point of reference and a basis
for discussion and action,

We are convinced that neither studies, nor resolutions, nor good intentions
alone will suffice. We believe that all of the religious leaders of Metropolitan
Atlanta should act now to bring an end to conditions in our midst which create
despair, contribute to human degradation and fuel violence,

We, therefore, commit ourselves to assist in the task of transforming

our urban area, that insofar as our abilities and resources permit, we
should endeavor to respond to this urban crisisand help create a city where
there is personal safety for all persons and property and where there is
reason for hope and opportunity for individual growth and dignity for every
citizen,

To do this there are many things which we believe must be done,

There must be a pooling of our resources - a coordinated effort for rich
and poor, by affluent and depressed citizens, by leaders in religion,
education and business and the professions, in industry and labor, in
government and in all walks of life to meet our citizens needs in the
following areas,


Page Two

l. Police Protection
Z. Education

3. Housing

4, Employment

(Note: These areas are spelled out in the Council's memo)

As we see it, we must create a new attitude even more than we need to
create new programs but both are needed, To establish new attitudes we
must begin with ourselves, our families, our churches and synagogues.

Therefore, we pledge ourselves to - -- - -

(three areas are listed)

In order to develop wide acceptance of our stated purpose and our plan of
action, we respectfully urge Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr, to issue invitations to
Atlanta pukrtkones political, economic and religious leaders, to citizens
representative of all areas of our urban community, to attend the meeting
sponsored by the undersigned, with the Mayor serving as host. The purpose
of this meeting will be to achieve in the Atlanta urgan area, an agreement
on our stated purpose and to arrange for a coordinated use of all possible
resources, We seek a true and a new commitment and to develop a simple
connectional structure to carry out this commitment,

We, by signing this resolution, do declare ourselves to be an inter-faith
committee and authorize our designated representatives to visit the Mayor
of the City of Atlanta and the other local leaders of this area for the
following purposes,

1. To offer the full support of ourselves as representatives of the
religious community,
at
2. To fund a luncheon for leaders and representatives of both races /which
time we could hear from Mayor Ivan Allen his suggestions as to how all
available resources might be coordinated to achieve our objectives.

3 and 4 are listed in other memo,
Finally, we invite all citizens to join with us in a commitment to our Statement

of Purpose and our Plan of Action and we ask the help of Almighty God in this
endeavor to transform and redeem our entire urban area,