In this WALB newsfilm clip from August 8, 1962, Albany, Georgia mayor Asa D. Kelley speaks to reporters from his office, reacting to the amicus curiae document issued earlier in the day by the United States Justice Department on behalf of the Albany Movement in Judge J. Robert Elliott's injunction hearing. Kelley disparages the United States Justice Department for breaking with precedent "to adopt a policy of aiding and abetting domestic extralegal activities." He emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the brief as "an affront to those of us in the South who are prepared to stand fast for law and order." Kelley condemns the ruling as "revolutionary policy" and warns that it may cause southern communities to "write off civilized effort at racial solutions in courts of law." On July 21, Albany city officials obtained a temporary restraining order from federal judge J. Robert Elliott banning the Albany Movement from picketing, parades, and other demonstrations; Elliott also scheduled a hearing for July 30 to consider making the injunction permanent. Chief federal appellate court judge Elbert P. Tuttle of Atlanta reversed the temporary restraining order July 24 and encouraged Judge Elliott to hold the previously scheduled hearing. The Justice Department disputed the Albany official's effort to obtain an injunction in part because the city maintained public facilities that were still segregated. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was in Albany to support the Albany Movement (and was also named in the restraining order) expressed gratitude for the "legal and moral support" from the Justice Department.

The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for digital conversion and description of the WALB News Film collection.

Title provided by cataloger.

1 clip (ca. 1 min 5 sec.) : b&w, sd. ; 16 mm.

Original found in the WALB newsfilm collection.

Cite as: WALB newsfilm clip of mayor Asa D. Kelley speaking to reporters about an amicus curiae document issued earlier in the day by the United States Justice Department on behalf of the Albany Movement in Albany, Georgia, 1962 August 8, Albany Movement compilation, WALB News Film collection, Albany Movement Compilation Roll 1 [Tape 1], Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Award Collection, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Ga., as presented in the Digital Library of Georgia.

Forms part of: Civil Rights Digital Library.