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Governor Almond Admits Futility in Fighting Court Ruling
(WSLS Television, Roanoke, VA)

In a speech to the Virginia legislature, Governor Almond turned back from massive resistance after federal and state courts struck down the school closing laws as unconstitutional. Almond's speech was a dramatic turnaround and drew resentment from Byrd conservatives. He implored that no assignment plan instituted by Virginia could exclude a black student from a public school based solely on race. Doing so would empower the NAACP to control the "degree and the tempo" of integration in schools. Despite his apparent departure from massive resistance, Almond was determined to control the integration process in Virginia and was loath to provide the judicial system or the federal government any opportunity to dictate policy.
About the film
  • Date: January 30, 1959
  • Sound: Yes
  • Duration: 01:00
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