In this leaflet from 1960, David B. Dansby and Richard Strowd asked students at UNC to join the picket lines. In calling for picketers, Dansby and Strowd emphasized the principles of non-violence, a tactic advocated by civil rights leaders of the 1960s. When David Dansby graduated in 1961, he was the first African American to receive a degree from UNC.
Picketing
Why we picket
We do not picket
- ...just because we want to eat. We can eat at home or walking down the street.
- ...just because students in many other states are picketing.
- ...to express our anger or resentment at anyone.
- ...to humiliate or put anyone out of business.
We do picket
- ...to protest the lack of dignity and respect shown us as human beings.
- ...to enlist the support of all (whatever their color) in getting services in business places that will grant us dignity and respect.
- ...to help the businessman who will make changes that will bring us closer to the Christian and Democratic practices.
Who can picket
We welcome picketers of any race, high school age and beyond, only if they agree THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will they resort to violence. We will use picketers ONLY if they agree to go through a short course of instruction on picketing. Picketing will be done at stated hours and days decided by the Executive Committee and under the direction of a Picket Captain, trained for this work. Picketers must promise to obey the captain at all times. REMEMBER-- the teachings of Jesus, who, “when reviled, revile not again.”
Some dos and don'ts for picketers
Do
- ...walk slowly and quietly -- at least four feet apart.
- ...be careful to let anyone who wishes to enter to enter the place of business to do so.
- ...refer all incidents or jostling, abuse by word, or anything of this nature to the picket captain.
- ...be on time at the place set by the picket captain.
- ...leave the place of picketing promptly on being relieved.
Don't
- ...be boisterous, laugh or joke with other picketers or by-standers.
- ...hold conversation with by-standers or the business owner.
- ...leave the picket line without notifying the captain.
- ...block the entrance or make it difficult for people to enter the business.
- ...come to the picket line without being neatly dressed.
- ...answer insult with insult, argument with argument, blow with blow, anger with anger.
REMEMBER the example and teachings of Martin Luther King who refused to hate anyone, but stood in love and firmness for human dignity and respect.
