1.
SV Speaker (SOUND ON FILM) PAN TO Convention floor
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2.
SV Speaker's platform
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3.
GV & SV Crowd cheering(4 shots)
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4.
SCU Livingston Wingate speaking (SOUND ON FILM)
1.38

5.
SV & GV Activity on convention floor (5 shots)
1.57


CONVENTION SPEAKER CALLING FOR VOTE ON BLACK AGENDA: VARIOUS SHOTS OF SCENE ON CONVENTION FLOOR: HEAD OF NEW YORK DELEGATION SPEAKING ON BUSSING ISSUE: MORE SHOTS OF ACTIVITY ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR.



SPEAKER: "All in favour of adopting (the) National Black Agenda as stipulated by the New York motion please signify by raising your hand."



REPORTER: "The 35-hundred delegates to the first National Black Political Convention approved an agenda for political, social and economic action. The 12-page agenda approved by the caucus included: a call for 50 per cent cuts in the defence and space budgets, with the money going to solve social problems -- more black representation in Congress -- and a minimum income of 65-hundred dollars for a family of four. But the big surprise was a vote opposing school busing."



WINGATE: "The New York delegation recognise that this resolution could be mis-construed by many racists who have been continuously and consistently against all black advances. This resolution is offered to clarify just where this convention stands with respect to the anti-bussing resolution. And Mr. Chairman I so read and I so revolve that with the New York delegation that the Black Political Convention reaffirms its position that the Nixon administration is a racist administration. And while we also reject the concept which he rejects toward bussing to achieve racial balance, we do so for different reasons. We demand that all moneys that will be used for bussing rather than be spent, that used for bussing be spent in black communities to achieve quality education."




Initials OS/009



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Gary, Indiana, the first National Black Political Convention ended Sunday night (March 12) with 3,500 delegates and observers voting on an agenda which included a resolution opposing school bussing to achieve racial integration.

The convention, the first of its kind in U.S. history, also decided against forming a separate political party and against endorsing any current candidate for the presidency.

Two other resolutions approved by the delegates called for support for black militant Angela Davis, presently on trial for murder in California, and for alleged political prisoners and recommended prison reforms. They also called for a minimum wage of 6,500 dollars per year (approx. GBP2,600 Sterling) for a family of four.

This film was shot by N.B.C., and a transcript of the commentary appears in the sound on film below. An alternative commentary appears overleaf.

Because the sound on this film begins immediately, we are providing a brief lead-in for newsreaders which editors may wish to use.

SYNOPSIS: In Gary, Indiana, on Sunday, delegates voted for the agenda in America's first-ever National Black Political Convention.

The thirty-five hundred delegates to the first National Black Convention approved a 12-page agenda for political, social and economic action. The agenda also included a call for 50 per cent cuts in America's defence and space budgets -- with the money going to solve social problems. It also included a surprise vote opposing school bussing. The leader of the New York State delegation spoke about it.

The convention decided against forming a separate political party and against supporting any current Presidential candidate. The delegates also called for support of black militant Angela Davis, who's currently on trial for murder in California. They also called for support of recommended prison reforms.