Speech #870194102

The avowed purpose of this enforced relocation is the hopedfor embarrassment of the Northern communities which would have difficulty absorbing into their midst individuals without funds. industrial skills and schooling. Since these individuals are Negroes it will be pointed out by the southern ejectors that the difficulty has emanated because they are Negroes. White migrants without funds or industrial skills and with inadequate schooling woul 1 find like difficulties. Should this nefarious plan of the Southerners materialize many Negroes may choose to come to New York. We in New York City would be proud to have those fleeing from oppression seek a haven here. As in the past. we again lift our lamp to the "huddled masses yearning to be free." It is precisely this expression of succor which has made this city the essence of living democracy. The movement of any people to large urban citiesat a time when these cities are experiencing a general growth in population and the encumbrance of a rising cost of livinghas presented them with financial and physically strangling difficulties. Unfortunately at this time these Southern migrants would find in New Yorkas they would find in any metropolisvirtually insurmountable difficulties in securing adequate housing and jobs. Can we sit by as observers while citizens of an American community are being expelled from their homes? The power and prestige of our Federal Government can and must be brought to bear uponand effect a change inthose States in which citizens of the United States are being denied their equal rights and thus forced to seek a haven in northern communities.