Assassination Attempt on President Wayne (PJW)

August 9, 1958
ATLANTA: While riding in a motorcade down an Atlanta street this morning, President Wayne and Georgian Senator Richard Russell Jr. came under fire from an armed gunman. The gunman, a negro youth of 24, was armed with a pistol and fired three shots at the motorcade before being subdued by Secret Service Agents. No harm came to the President, who was immediately rushed away to a secure location. Senator Russell was struck by two of the bullets and was rushed to the Atlanta Medical Center and is undergoing treatment; early reports say the Senator's injuries are life-threatening.

Atlanta was the first stop of the President's tour of the South, in order to promote an end to the racial tensions and violence that has plagued the region since the Little Rock Riot. While touring the city in a motorcade with Senator Russell, the motorcade was forced to a crawl at a section of the street filled with civil rights and anti-war protesters. While agents tried to clear the way, the gunman approached the motorcade and fired upon it.

Scuffles and clashes broke out following the assassination attempt, turning into a full-fledged riot by midday. The National Guard is en route to the city, while the local Citizens' Council has promised to work with the Atlanta Police Department to restore peace to the city.

While the would-be assassin's motives are unknown, though many, including Governor Marvin Griffin, are placing the blame on the National Revolutionary Movement, which has been promoting negro violence in order to receive their civil rights. NRM President Robert F. Williams was unable for comment.

The Atlanta Riot is just another scene of racial violence in the past year. The President hoped to established order with his southern tour; instead the violence will most likely continue and most likely worsen.