In this WSB newsfilm clip from a press conference held in Atlanta, Georgia on January 13, 1961, Georgia governor Ernest Vandiver speaking after a riot at the University of Georgia pledges to fulfill his role as keeper of the peace in the state by providing assistance to local law enforcement officers in Athens when requested. The clip begins with governor Vandiver stressing the "legal duty" of local officials to request state assistance when they need it. He repeats comments made by Athens mayor Ralph M. Snow reporting that order has returned in the city, and the city's pledge to maintain order. Vandiver goes on to emphasize that if the city should need the state's help in maintaining order, "the state of Georgia will make such forces as are needed available to protect the lives and the property and to quell any disorder." He concludes by promising to fulfill his responsibility as governor to preserve peace in the state.

Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes became the first African American students admitted to the University of Georgia following a federal court order January 6, 1961 which prevented the university from refusing to admit the two based solely on race. White students and citizens protested the university's integration on several occasions, culminating in a riot on January 11, 1961; university officials suspended Hunter and Holmes "for their own protection" and sent them back to their homes in Atlanta. Federal judge William A. Bootle ordered the students readmitted on January 13; governor Vandiver's comments here are in part a response to judge Bootle's order. There were no more riots after Hunter and Holmes returned to the university on January 16.

Title supplied by cataloger.

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 WSB-TV Newsfilm Collection.

1 clip (about 1 min.): black-and-white, sound ; 16 mm.

Original found in the WSB-TV newsfilm collection.

WSB-TV newsfilm clip of Georgia governor Ernest Vandiver pledging to preserve peace at the University of Georgia following a anti-integration riot, at a press conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, 1961 January 13, WSB-TV newsfilm collection, reel 0815, 7:42/09:07, Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Ga, as presented in the Digital Library of Georgia.

Forms part of: Civil Rights Digital Library.