Statement to the Congressional Black Caucus Braintrust on Criminal Justice

              ~S_    Statement of the Concerned Citizens of the November 3rd Incident to the Congressional
Black Caucus Braintrust on Criminal Justice - Washington, D.C, June 19, 1982
We, the Concerned Citizens of the November 3rd Incident, are an interracial
group stemming from the many organizations and individuals in the City of Greensboro,
North Carolina, that have been active in the struggle for justice related to the
tragic murders of five anti-klan demonstrators on November 3rd, 1979.  Currently
we represent over 15 organizations, as well as several prominent individuals.
We came together because, in our opinion, the tragedy of November 3rd violated
the civil rights not only of the slain but of the community at large. Moreover,
the continued lack of resolution of this matter creates uneasiness in our
community - because of the implications of police abuse and government violence;
because of the implications of a cover-up; and because of the implications of
unequal administration of justice and appreciation of rights on the basis of
race, political beliefs, and union activities.
Our concern has been to pursue federal prosecution of all those responsible
for the November 3rd murders in regards to the violation of civil liberties of the
five slain and the community.  In addition, we have sought congressional investigation of the U.S. Justice Department for its inadequacies in protecting the
rights of the victims, their families, and the local Greensboro community.
Our concern about the November 3rd incident relates to both the events themselves, and to the subsequent handling of the investigation by officials and
agencies.
In the first place, there are unanswered questions about possible involvement
of local and/or federal law enforcement agencies in the events of November 3rd,
suggested by the following information indicating that at least three law
enforcement agencies failed to act despite apparent prior knowledge of the
impending Klan/Nazi attack:
Greensboro Police:  Edward Dawson, a klansman working as an informant for
the police on Nov. 3rd, was the main recruiter and organizer for the
Klan/Nazi caravan on Nov. 3rd.  The police admit he warned them in advance
that the Klan planned to confront the anti-klan demonstrators that day,
and that the Klan was armed - yet police were not present.  On Nov. 3rd,
police surveilled the Klan/Nazi caravan as it formed and traveled to the
black community, where the anti-klan demonstrators were gathered.  The
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