DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996 | 1971-06-09 Miss Virginia Harper to Mr. Thomas Kelly Page 1

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Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996

1971-06-09 Miss Virginia Harper to Mr. Thomas Kelly Page 1

June 9, 1971
Mr. Thomas Kelly - President
Iowa State Conference - NAACP Branches
200 Walgreen Building
210 Main Street
Davenport, Iowa
Dear Tom;
Hope this finds all well, with you. It has been quite awhile since I have heard about any meetings. Were any Inquiries made into the possibility of holding them on Sunday afternoon?
What is the date for the Iowa State Conference, this fall?
Am enclosing a letter from a Mr. Glen Phillips of the ISP. It is self-explanatory. Please write and advise him, sending me a copy.
Also, last Monday, an inmate, Matthew Johnson, was "beaten" or "tapped" with a "sap", Monday, for refusing to work and then obey an order. One report says that he picked up a shovel and threatened to hit one of the guards.' So far I have gotten only the one account. I do think that three officers could have held the man without resorting to violence and thereby creating a more explosive situation behind the walls. They have been asked (the inmates who complained, to me) to file a formal complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and, also to notify you and the local Branch that the same has been done. At this point, however, I feel that complaints filed with the Civil Rights Commission, are of little value, for I know for a fact that no-one has been down here to investigate any of the complaints that I have had inmates file. Is there some way we can get behind them, as an organization, to get down here and start taking care of business? Please advise me, as soon as possible.
Also, am enclosing a copy of some rules which govern the handling of the men at the ISP, which some of them feel are unconstitutional and in violation of their civil rights. Please advise. Please return the copy as I am unable to copy the legal size sheets.
Also, the above named, Matthew Jackson sent for help from the NAACP. Mrs. Marjorie Lewis visited him. His report follows. We should like to ask you to

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June 9, 1971 Mr. Thomas Kelly - President Iowa State Conference - NAACP Branches 200 Walgreen Building 210 Main Street Davenport, Iowa Dear Tom; Hope this finds all well, with you. It has been quite awhile since I have heard about any meetings. Were any Inquiries made into the possibility of holding them on Sunday afternoon? What is the date for the Iowa State Conference, this fall? Am enclosing a letter from a Mr. Glen Phillips of the ISP. It is self-explanatory. Please write and advise him, sending me a copy. Also, last Monday, an inmate, Matthew Johnson, was "beaten" or "tapped" with a "sap", Monday, for refusing to work and then obey an order. One report says that he picked up a shovel and threatened to hit one of the guards.' So far I have gotten only the one account. I do think that three officers could have held the man without resorting to violence and thereby creating a more explosive situation behind the walls. They have been asked (the inmates who complained, to me) to file a formal complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and, also to notify you and the local Branch that the same has been done. At this point, however, I feel that complaints filed with the Civil Rights Commission, are of little value, for I know for a fact that no-one has been down here to investigate any of the complaints that I have had inmates file. Is there some way we can get behind them, as an organization, to get down here and start taking care of business? Please advise me, as soon as possible. Also, am enclosing a copy of some rules which govern the handling of the men at the ISP, which some of them feel are unconstitutional and in violation of their civil rights. Please advise. Please return the copy as I am unable to copy the legal size sheets. Also, the above named, Matthew Jackson sent for help from the NAACP. Mrs. Marjorie Lewis visited him. His report follows. We should like to ask you to