DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s | ""Court Action Asked to Repeal 500 Dollar Bond Provision"" Page 1

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Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s

""Court Action Asked to Repeal 500 Dollar Bond Provision"" Page 1

COURT ACTION ASKED TO REPEAL 500 DOLLAR BOND PROVISION

I want to make you awake of some developments in Clinton concerning a fair housing ordinance proposed for that city. 

A couple of days after our June meeting Judge Holbach, I believe his name to be, commenting on the Proposed 500 dollar provision stated among other things he considered it discriminating and degrading. 

Last week the council of Clinton voting on the 500 dollar provision eliminated it from the proposed ordnance with one or two dissenting votes which is indirect contract to thee decision our city council made on this same issue. 

I have been following other developments along this same line in the making of political policy and have noted that both political parties in Iowa have came out strong for the repeal of the 500 dollar provision in stat law. 

I don't think I need to remind you of the civil rights leaders stand on this issue or that of other community leaders who made known their opposition to the bond provision earlier this year as did Governor Hughes. 

My reason for bringing out all of this is to remind you of the controversial nature of this issue and to reestablish our own responsibility to initiate whatever action necessary to resolve controversies which deteriorate race relations in our community. 

Personally when I hear a respected member of the judiciary question the morality and legality of the bond issue it reinforces my own convictions on the matter. 

To me the $500 bond provision is merely a reflection of the fearful prejudices which pervade our society today and in essence says that irresponsibility is a prevalent quality of character among the minority people who would seek redress of their grievances through the ordinance and that the 500 dollar bond is supposedly a safeguard against his dubious trustworthiness. 

This kind of prejudicial assassination of character is totally unacceptable to me. 

Now I am perfectly aware that there are probably people in this room who violently oppose my opinion on this matter and there are probably already disposed to take exception to my comments, which only proves the controversial aspect of this smoldering issue.

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COURT ACTION ASKED TO REPEAL 500 DOLLAR BOND PROVISION I want to make you awake of some developments in Clinton concerning a fair housing ordinance proposed for that city. A couple of days after our June meeting Judge Holbach, I believe his name to be, commenting on the Proposed 500 dollar provision stated among other things he considered it discriminating and degrading. Last week the council of Clinton voting on the 500 dollar provision eliminated it from the proposed ordnance with one or two dissenting votes which is indirect contract to thee decision our city council made on this same issue. I have been following other developments along this same line in the making of political policy and have noted that both political parties in Iowa have came out strong for the repeal of the 500 dollar provision in stat law. I don't think I need to remind you of the civil rights leaders stand on this issue or that of other community leaders who made known their opposition to the bond provision earlier this year as did Governor Hughes. My reason for bringing out all of this is to remind you of the controversial nature of this issue and to reestablish our own responsibility to initiate whatever action necessary to resolve controversies which deteriorate race relations in our community. Personally when I hear a respected member of the judiciary question the morality and legality of the bond issue it reinforces my own convictions on the matter. To me the $500 bond provision is merely a reflection of the fearful prejudices which pervade our society today and in essence says that irresponsibility is a prevalent quality of character among the minority people who would seek redress of their grievances through the ordinance and that the 500 dollar bond is supposedly a safeguard against his dubious trustworthiness. This kind of prejudicial assassination of character is totally unacceptable to me. Now I am perfectly aware that there are probably people in this room who violently oppose my opinion on this matter and there are probably already disposed to take exception to my comments, which only proves the controversial aspect of this smoldering issue.