This compilation of WSB newsfilm clips of Albany, Georgia, from 1962 includes scenes of the Albany Movement-led bus boycott; silent shots of Dr. William G. Anderson, president of the Albany Movement, speaking with attorney C. B. King in a law office; and an in-the-street interview with U.S. representative from New York, William F. Ryan.

The clip is divided into two parts. The first part begins with silent images of empty buses parked in the Cities Transit lot where an African American man cleans them. Next, Albany mayor Asa D. Kelley states that his greatest fear is a federal injunction on the city and the arrival of federal marshals. After this, scenes of mostly empty buses are interspersed with clips of African Americans cycling, walking, and using the carpools organized by SNCC; and of white and African American Cities Transit employees working on the bus lot. At one point, SNCC leader Charles Jones is seen standing on a corner speaking with other African American men.

After the January 12, 1962 arrest of Albany State College student Ola Mae Quarterman, called by some the "Rosa Parks of Albany," and the continued segregation of the bus station's lunch counter, the movement had broadened its boycott to include the city's bus line. Moreover, Cities Transit did not employ any African American bus drivers. The success of the boycott caused the cessation of bus service during parts of February and again from March 6 through 1964.

Later Albany Movement president William G. Anderson and local attorney C. B. King sit in a law office. Although the men appear to speak to one another, their comments are not recorded.

The second part of the clip begins with white policemen speaking to marchers who were arrested after a night-time demonstration. The demonstrators then walk up the stairs and into a building. Next, reporters interview New York congressman William F. Ryan outside city hall. Ryan came to Albany at the request of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to report on local conditions to Congress and to help awaken the whole country to the situation in Albany. One of those interviewing Ryan is reporter Richard Valeriani. Ryan gives his full endorsement to the Albany Movement and its "peaceful demonstrations," and calls for Congress and the Justice Department to intervene. Ryan agrees to speak to a local news reporter, probably from the Albany Herald, as his schedule permits; he also offers to return to Albany if needed.

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

1 clip (about 11 min.): black-and-white, sound ; 16 mm.

Original found in the WSB-TV newsfilm collection.

Series of WSB-TV newsfilm clips of scenes typical of the Albany Movement including the bus boycott, Albany Movement president Dr. William G. Anderson speaking with attorney C. B. King, and an interview with U.S. representative William F. Ryan of New York in Albany, Georgia, 1962, WSB-TV newsfilm collection, reel 0900, 25:59/37:51, 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.