Angelina 

Patricia

Priscilla

Barbara

Florida A and M University

Tallahassee, Florida

March 31, 1960

Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., had the largest demonstration of them all on yesterday, Wednesday, in which 5000 students took part in the protest of 16 of their fellow students from a sit-down on Monday. Three thousand of these ascended on the capital bldg. where they sang hymns and prayed. Just today (Wednesday, rather) 18 of their students were expelled from school. 

[The-anti]-segregation move is getting larger and larger by the day. Numerous schools throughout the North are protesting and picketing. 

Numerous words of encouragement have come to us for you who have chosen the cells of a cold county jail in preference to placidity in view of the injustices and malfunctions of democracy with which the Southern Negro is faced. Yours is a noble deed regardless to how the path might seem unblazable.

We are trying to impress upon all students the necessity for their not purchasing downtown; we [are trying] to boost the Student Emergency Fund; we have not as yet chosen our next move. We are very careful not to do anything that might complicate matters or which might shed some regression on what you are now doing and yet striving to do while serving your terms in jail.

Please accept my apology for not visiting you on Sunday. It just so happens that I was ill and in bed just about all day Saturday and was overwhelmed by fevers on Sunday.

if you have any special request you would like to see put into effect, I'll do my utmost to see that it is. The task is a hard one when you have some of your own race working [against] you in a worthy cause such as this. I have been so disappointed on numerous occasions--then when I think of the sacrifice you're making, I'm able to throw out the disappointments. Because I'm able to think that "there goes freedom--locked in the Leon County jail'. I say this because we know that no committee work, discussion, or compromises will bring about this ultimate human equality and citizenship freedom for the Southern negro and others who are suppressed because of their race or the color of their skin. 

Continue to pray and keep the faith. The world has a great example in you--a great example of youth leadership of America.

The two letters enclosed are two of several I have received from persons of good-will and support to the struggle in which you took the leadership and sacrifice.

I'll see you as soon as I possibly can. Take it easy, don't tell too many jokes.

Ira C. Robinson, President

Student Government Association

Florida A and M University

Tallahassee, Florida