Atlanta Daily World

17 OKLAHOMA CITY CHURCHES OPEN DOORS TO NEGRO YOUTHS

Drive To End Jimcrow

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. Segregation barriers were dropped in seventeen white churches and kept intact in three others as Negro youngsters who are spearheading action to gain the privilege in non-discriminatory eating, added religious emphasis to their campaign by invading the all-white institutions.

Mrs. Clara Luper, leader of the Oklahoma City chapter of the National Association of Colored People, and one of the pivotal forces in the drive to end segregation in eating facility, said that the pastor of one of the churches which barred Negroes, asked the youngsters to leave, telling them "God did not intend for Negroes and whites to worship together."

The youths were told at two other churches, they could attend services only if they sat separately from the white congregation.

Groups of the youngsters began a series of "sit-down" protests at downtown lunch counters in an effort to obtain food service on August 19.

They were served finally at Katz Drug Store, their first target, August 21 and were served at Kress Variety Store, August 22.

More than 30 youngsters were refused service at the John A. Brown department store August 22, and a group of 66 youngsters and six adults were refused again Saturday. They remained each day until closing.

Youngsters in the protest group ranged in age from 6 to 17 years. Those attending the various churches were 10 or older.

Mrs. Luper said that 17 of the churches welcomed the youngsters cordially and seated them with the white congregation.

She said at the Kelham Avenue Baptist Church, the pastor, David C. Hall, asked the two girls to leave. She said the girls told her the minister took them into his office, and told them "God did not intend for Negroes and whites to worship together."

The girls said he added that his members were "prejudiced" and that he would prefer that they leave. They did so.

GREETED AT DOOR

Mrs. Luper's daughter, Marilyn, 10 went to the Capitol Hill Baptist church with two other girls. Carol Ann Allensworth. 12. and Areda Toliver. 11.

Marilyn said they were greeted at the door by a man who "was kind at first" She said he seated them in the church auditorium and left, returning a short time later. telling them "we had to go to the back."

Marilyn said she and her companion were seated in a Separate room behind a door. She said he told them "God doesn't want all races to mix." adding that proof of the statement could be found in the Bible. She said when she asked where in the Bible. he replied he did not know.

The three girls called an adult supervisor of the group and were advised to leave. which they did

The girls said they did not know the name of the man who talked with them.

Two youngsters were seated separately at the First Church. of the Nazarene. Mrs. Luper said

THE WAITING GAME-In Oklahoma City, a group of Negroes were ignored in a drug store soda fountain as they waited for service. The same group attended church, en masse, Sunday.