In this WSB newsfilm clip from September 24, 1957, United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower in a statement from the White House address the crisis over school integration by the "Little Rock Nine" in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the presence of United States soldiers in the city. President Eisenhower declares that the presence of federal troops in the city does not remove the responsibility of the local and state authorities to preserve peace nor of the local school board and other school officials to run Little Rock Central High School. He confirms that the federal government interferes in local affairs only "in very special cases and when requested by one of the several states." He emphasizes that the presence of troops in Little Rock is only to ensure compliance with court orders, and that the executive branch of the government only uses such powers of enforcement in "extraordinary and compelling circumstances," such as the situation in Little Rock. Eisenhower recognizes the need for a climate permitting the "free and fair exercise" of individual's rights; he also recognizes that most citizens reject violence and respect and follow even the laws with which they disagree. He calls for the assistance of citizens of Arkansas to end "all interference with the law and its processes," pledging the removal of federal troops, the city's return to normalcy, and the return of the nation's fair name and honor. Little Rock school district decided to integrate its schools in 1957. Arkansas governor Orval Faubus opposed the integration plan and sent Arkansas National Guard troops to prevent the admittance of nine African American students to Little Rock Central High School on September 4, 1957. A federal judge ordered the removal of the national guard and the entry of the black students. After the students' entrance on September 23, white Little Rock citizens rioted, and the students were removed after three hours at the school. United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower responded by federalizing the national guard and ordering soldiers to the area to ensure the safe attendance of the African American students. After a year of integration, Little Rock closed its public schools to avoid further integration.

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 3 min.): black-and-white, sound ; 16 mm.

Original found in the WSB-TV newsfilm collection.

WSB-TV newsfilm clip of president Dwight D. Eisenhower making a public statement about the school integration crisis at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas from the White House in Washington, D.C., 1957 September 24, WSB-TV newsfilm collection, reel 0849, 8:30/11:11, 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.