Page 2-Saturday, May31 1980-The Michigan Daily
Leaders try to
ease Natchez
racial tensions
after vandalism
NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) -- Local of-
ficials and black leaders sought to ease
racial tensions in Natchez yesterday af-
ter a protest march by 1,200 blacks was
followed by scattered vandalism and
the firebombing of a white-owned
grocery store.
The first major incidence of racial
unrest in Natchez in several years
erupted Thursday night as blacks
protested the investigation of the death
of a black man allegedly shot by a white
woman.
NO INJURIES were reported during
the night, but at least 10 persons, most
of them young blacks, were arrested on
various charges, including carrying
concealed weapons.
Police Chief Charles Bahin said no
new violence had been reported yester-
day in the city of 27,000 people on the
Mississippi River.
After a meeting with Phillip West,
president of the Natchez chapter of the
National Association for the Advan-
cement of Colored People, local of-
ficials decided not to impose a curfew.
MAYOR TONY BYRNE said it was
believed a curfew could add to the ten-
sions. Black leaders had also opposed a
curfew.
, "We did not want to penalize the vast
majority of our citizens for the actions
of 15 or 20 individuals," Byrne said.
"We feel the situation is very much in
hand, but it could blow up like any
city."
In a joint statement issued by Byrne
and the county Board of Aldermen, the
officials said they received assurances
from West that "the NAACP does not
approve or condone the violent acts
which took place ... and will not sup-
port or provide cover for any such
unlawful acts."
THERE WAS no immediate
statement from West or other black
leaders.
Gov. William Winter, at a news con-
ference in Jackson, said he had urged
state Public Safety Commissioner Sid-
ney Berry "to provide whatever
assistance may be needed to maintain
law and order in Natchez."
The governor said he had not been
contacted by local officials for help, but
that he believed Highway Patrol per-
sonnel remained in the area.
THURSDAY'S MARCH was
organized to protest what some black
residents call a "double standard of
justice" in the death last Sunday of
Terry Thornburg, 25, who was shot in
the back after a scufle with grocer
John Reeder at Reeder's "In and Out"
store. Reeder had accused Thornburg
of trying to shoplift cigarettes.
Reeder's wife, Judy, 25, was charged
with manslaughter and was released
after posting $20,000 bond. West, who in
addition to heading the local NAACP is
an Adams County supervisor, said
Reeder should have been charged with
murder.
However, District Attorney Alonzo
Sturgeon of Natchez said the man-
slaughter charge was merely a vehicle
for placing the case before a grand jury
and that a murder indictment could be
returned after the panel's in-
vestigation.
POLICE SAID vandalism occurred
both during and after the march, the
second staged this week.
On the outside
Hot and humid are the keywords for today. Skies will remain cloudy,
and chances for afternoon showers or thundershowers are very good. The
high temperature is expected to sneak near he 85° mark. D
Happenings
SATURDAY
FILMS
AAFC-Richard Pryor Live in Concert, 7, 10:20 p.m.; Silver Streak,
8:30 p.m., MLB 3.
Cinema Guild-Carrie, 7:30,9:30 p.m., Old Arch. Aud.
Cinema II-The Last Wave, 7:30,9:30 p.m., MLB 4.
PERFORMANCES
Human Sexuality Office-"Drag: An Original Musical Celebrating the
Art of Female Impersonation," 81p.m., Mendelssohn Theater.
Ark-Gemini, 9 p.m., 1421 Hill.
MISCELLANEOUS
Washtenaw County Chapter American Red Cross-basic canoeing and
instructor courses, 8 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m., 2729 Packard.
Theosophical Society-"Reincarnation-Unfoldment to Perfection," 3
p.m., 1917 Washtenaw.
Friends of 'U' Hospital-"After Hours at the Market," 8 p.m.-i a.m.,
Farmer's Market, Kerrytown.
SUNDAY
MISCELLANEOUS
Cinema Guild-A Farewell to Arms, 7:30, 9:30 p.m., Old Arch. Aud.
Human Sexuality Office-"Drag" (same as Saturday).
Friends of the Children-Children's Community School open house, 1-3
p.m., 317 N. Seventh Ave.
Arbor Alliance-Dr. Thomas Najarian, "Biological Hazards of Low
Level Ionizing Radiation,"7 p.m., Kuenzel Rm., Union.
Washtenaw County Chapter American Red Cross-basic canoeing and
instructor courses, 8 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m., 2729 Packard.
MONDAY
MISCELLANEOUS
Dharma Study Group-meditation, 7:30-8:30 a.m., 215 E. Kingsley.
CARD-planning meeting, 7:30 p.m.. First Unitarian Church, 1917
Washtenaw.
School of Metaphysics-clas in applied metaphysics, 7:30 p.m., 2192
N. MainSt. F
The Michigan Daily
(USPS 344-900)
Volume XC, No. 17-S
Saturday, May 31, 1980
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