National Democratic Party of Alabama

Greene County, Eutaw, Alabama

In 1968 and 1970 the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) swept the elections in Greene County, Alabama. An all-black ticket won across the board in county elections. William McKinley Branch, a 47 year-old minister, beat Judge Herndon by 92 votes out of 4,716 cast. Thomas Gilmore defeated Sheriff Bill Lee by 2,394 to 2,307. This led to the election of: a black sheriff a black county clerk, and a a black school superintendent Note: Lucius D. Amerson, was elected sheriff in Macon County, Alabama in 1966. A book about Amerson is titled, “The First Black Sheriff Elected in The South Since Reconstruction.” For more information on Amerson go to: http://www.sheriffamerson.com/ The NDPA used the Eagle as it's symbol because they were challenged over the use of the donkey as an emblem. They were also challenged over their use of the word "Democratic" but in that case they prevailed.  Here's a copy of the poster the Reverends Branch and Gilmore used in that election.

I had the pleasure of videotaping (still have them) the victory celebration on January 18, 1971 in Eutaw, Alabama after the NDPA sweep of the elections. There was a five hour celebration in the school gymnasium. at the courthouse and at the local armory that featured elected officials, NDPA leaders, and civil rights workers from all over the state and nation. The Reverend T. Y. Rogers, Director of Affiliates and Executive Staff member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) gave a stirring speech at the victory celebration. Rogers was the pastor at the First African Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Reverend Rogers died shortly afterwards, in a March 26 auto accident in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of his death, Reverend Rogers was building a coalition of organizations and individuals for the statewide Alabama War Against Repression. Ralph Abernathy and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference  were there and links to audio excerpts ot their speeches are available below. In the early 70's the NDP swept a number of black candidates into offices in the south for the first time in a hundred years. A black sheriff and a black school superintendent were elected in Greene County. I was there recording it on video and audio. Some of this documentary footage was aired on the Pacifica Radio Network but much of it has remained on my shelf for the past 30 years. I recently converted an hour of 1-inch Ampex Industrial Videotape to VHS and audio formats. That tape contains speeches and musical pieces including presentations by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) leader Ralph Abernathy and Hosea Williams. As I get time I'll convert more of these tapes to current, playable formats and I'll post transcripts and sound bites on this web site.

30 second Wav file Ralph Abernathy of the SCLC discusses a new day in Eutaw, Alabama after the election of the Reverends Branch and Gilmore  Real Audio G2

Hosea Williams talks about the responsibilities of leadership as the first black school superintendent and sheriff take office in Eutaw, Alabama. Realplayer Video In his welcoming talk, Hosea Williams recounts the history of the Eutaw, Alabama struggle. Realplayer Video

68 second Wav File Ralph Abernathy talks about Making  Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. There are a few short bursts of static in this recording   Real Audio G2