Proc. 2016-22 Ronald Battle Day 11-18-15
PROCLAMATION
No. 2016-22
WHEREAS HA-YOU, the Huntsville Action for Youth Movement, emerged in the 1960s for
the purpose of desegregating the local community; and
WHEREAS the group was mostly composed of adolescents in high school calling for racial
justice and fair treatment after having seen the world move forward following
the end of WWII and the racial inequality fostered by imperialism; and
WHEREAS these students began organizing for the desegregation of public facilities by
organizing marches, boycotts, and other nonviolent protests; and
WHEREAS at the height of the struggle in our area, nine HA-YOU youths were summarily
removed to a reform school across the state for several months of abuse and
panic, until their release and return was achieved; and
WHEREAS we gather today to soberly recall this time and to recognize Ronald Battle, the
first black athlete to earn a degree from SHSU, a Bachelor of Science in
Business, in 1973.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED, by the power vested in me
as the Mayor of the City of Huntsville, that
November 18, 2015
be designated as:
Ronald Battle Day
in Huntsville, Texas, and urge all citizens to remember the sacrifices, accomplishments, and
contributions of all these citizens.
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PROCLAIMED AND SIGNED this 18 day of November 2015.
_____________________
Mac Woodward, Mayor