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In 1934 the NAACP, under the leadership of its national secretary Walter White, launched its campaign to obtain passage of an antilynching bill introduced by Senators Edward P. Costigan of Colorado and Robert Wagner of New York. Like those that preceded it, the Wagner-Costigan bill placed responsibility for its enforcement with local authorities. Sheriffs who failed to take appropriate action to protect prisoners in their custody could be penalized under the act. Provision was also made to compensate the families of those who had been victimized by mob action. White believed that the president's support would be critical and was able to secure a promise from President Franklin D. Roosevelt that he would confer with the bill's sponsors and encourage the congressional leadership to move for an early vote. A filibuster was immediately organized to resist the bill's passage in the Senate. Opponents of...
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This section contains 191 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) |
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