In the wake of Epperson v. Arkansas (1968) in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Arkansas's 1928 anti-evolution law, Charles Blackburn, Field Development Director for the ACLU Southern Regional office, sought to form a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Arkansas. Questionnaires were mailed to Arkansas members of the national ACLU and an organizational meeting was held on November 23, 1968, in Little Rock. A second membership meeting attended by 150 people took place in Little Rock on January 11, 1969. At this meeting, Morton Gitleman of Fayetteville was elected President; John Sizemore of Little Rock, Vice President; Dr. Otto H. Zinke of Fayetteville, Secretary; and Darragh, Fred K.Fred K. Darragh Jr. of Little Rock, Treasurer. Board members were also appointed, including Little Rock attorney Jim Guy Tucker as well as Dr. Guerdon Nichols and Sam Sizer, both of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The effort to establish an Arkansas ACLU chapter proved successful, and it continues its efforts to protect civil liberties.
From the description of ACLU of Arkansas materials [manuscript] 1968 (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville). WorldCat record id: 777208784
