University of Virginia Library

Baker Attacks Public Complacency

By Brian Siegel
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo by Charley Sands

Ella Baker, Member Of The Angela Davis Defense Committee

Miss Baker Sees Political Repression And Harassment Behind The Case

Lashing out against complacency, Ella
Baker, a member of the Angela Davis
Defense Committee, told a crowd of 150
Wednesday night that, "We have rights
only as long as we are willing to struggle
for them."

At the rally in support of freedom for
Angela Davis sponsored by the
Charlottesville Defense Committee, Miss Baker
warned that, "Angela Davis symbolizes what
can happen."

Miss Baker has served as a coordinator of the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference and
as head of the New York branch of the
NAACP.

Explaining that more than Miss Davis is on
trial, Miss Baker said, "The case is important
because it represents political harassment and
repression."

She said that she came to the University to
speak because little or nothing had been done
about the case in the South. "The struggle for
rights didn't start yesterday and has to continue
until it is won," she added.

Commenting on the case of Miss Davis, the
speaker said she left California because her life
was not safe. "Angela Davis was a black
woman, a Communist, and was accused of
killing a judge ... These things are unpopular."

She also said that no substantial evidence
was brought out in the extradition hearing, and
that "Ballistics experts have not yet submitted
any evidence saying Angela Davis's gun shot
bullets that killed the judge."

Miss Baker summarized her view of Miss
Davis saying "she is in prison, but not a
prisoner in the sense of being repressed by
being in prison. She has the strength and moral
courage to continue thinking of everyone."

Alluding to local events, Miss Baker said,
"There are things here that have to be
defended. They must be defended by the
people here."

Also speaking at the rally were Steve
Frazier of the Philadelphia Labor Committee
and "T" Johnson, a local black resident.

Mr. Frazier's talk centered around
Philadelphia Police Chief Frank Rizzo who he
termed as an "expression of Agnewism."

Mr. Johnson spoke on the repression against
the Black Panthers and local repression.

Following the three speakers was a question
and answer period where Miss Baker asked the
audience "Why are you people here today?"
One member of the audience finally answered,
"looking for something to do."