Allen, Ralph W., 1941-2005

Biography:

White SNCC member from Melrose, Massachusetts and Trinity College student, Allen came to Americus early in 1963 with Donald Harris and John Perdew and helped organize the Sumter County Movement. One of the "Americus Four," he was arrested in Americus, Georgia along with Harris and Perdew after an 8 August 1963 demonstration, charged with "seditious conspiracy" (inciting insurrection), a capital crime, and held without bail for three months. Released 1 November, 1963 by a three-judge federal panel who found the charge unconstitutional. On 6 November 1963, an all-white jury found Allen guilty of assault with intent to murder in lieu of the insurrection charge. Allen was sentenced to two years, but his sentence was appealed.

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