A Timeline of Boston School Desegregation, 1961-1985

September 14September 15September 16NAACP President Thomas Atkins urges some parents to send their children toschool but recommends that students assigned to South Boston stay home fortheir safety. 236 Two more white protesters are arrested in South Boston, bringingthe total number to seven. 237At Michaelangelo School in the North End, Chinese students are reported ashaving been well-received. One sixth grade student is reported as saying thatthe Chinese students “are mostly nice and they don't start any trouble like someof the black kids.” 238Plaintiff's attorneys in Morgan v. Hennigan file a report with Judge Garrityinforming him that “it may become necessary for the court to make otherenforcements.” The report suggested requesting state police, federal marshals,or the National Guard to protect bused children. Garrity takes no immediateaction. 239Rep. Bill Owens urges South Boston political leaders to calm the crisis ofdesegregation. 240Ministers in South Boston and Roxbury urge church-goers to makedesegregation peaceful. The Citywide Education Coalition also calls for an endto the violence. 241Rep. Ray Flynn and Louise Day Hicks decry the police presence in SouthBoston. Hicks calls it a “concentration camp.” Flynn states that “relations withthe police in South Boston are at an all-time low. It's jumped from anantibusing problem to an antipolice situation. 242 ”NAACP President Thomas Atkins again urges black parents to send theirchildren to school. However, he continues his recommendation that blackparents with children assigned to South Boston schools keep their childrenhome, in light of rock throwing and other violence against buses entering thearea. 243In South Boston, there are clashes between youths, parents, and police and 21people are arrested. Three-hundred youths invade the Andrew Square MBTAstation where they assault black youths, rip out public phones and overturnbenches. Transit police force the youths out to Dorchester Ave. Elsewhere, afive block protest of about 350 youths takes place on East Broadway and 200people gather at the M Street playground are dispersed by the police. As aresult of the violence, Mayor White orders liquor stores and bars be closed inSouth Boston until 4 p.m. 244 The Mayor also agrees to meet with South Bostonanti-busing leaders Sen. William Bulger, Rep. Michael Flaherty, and Louise Day236 “South Boston High will fill – Owens,” Boston Globe, Sep. 13, 1974.237 Robert J. Anglin “Boston School desegregated, opening day generally peaceful,” Boston Globe, Sep. 13, 1974.238 Manli Ho “Bused Chinese Kids well received in North End,” Boston Globe, Sep. 14, 1974.239 Richard Connolly “Attendance down, but peac holds despite flare-ups,” Boston Globe, Sep. 13, 1974; Katherine J.Kennedy “Report asks Garrity to consider use of US Marshals,” Boston Globe, Sep. 14, 1974.240 “South Boston High will fill – Owens,” Boston Globe, Sep. 13, 1974.241 Robert J. Rosenthal “End violence, show goodwill, churchgoers told,” Boston Globe, Sep. 16, 1974.242 Ray Richard and Murial Cohen “Police to remain in South Boston,” Boston Globe, Sep. 15, 1974.243 Benjamin Taylor, Nick King “NAACP president urges all HUB parents to send their children to school,” Boston Globe,Sep. 16, 1974.244 Charles Claffey “Police disperse roving bands,” Boston Globe, Sep. 16, 1974.38