Senate Democratic Leader Lyndon Johnson, Texas, today introduced a surprise new civil rights bill which included a provision outlawing interstate shipment of explosives. This provision was aimed at “hate bombings” of synagogues, churches, and schools.
The proposed legislation would make the interstate transportation of explosives a Federal offense in cases where such explosives are intended for use against religious and public institutions. The bill would also create a community relations service to mediate civil rights disputes and extend the life of the Civil Rights Commission to Jan. 31, 1961
Sen. Johnson stated that his proposal on bombings was similar to one suggested by Democratic Senators Sam. J. Ervin, North Carolina, and John F. Kennedy,-Massachusetts, to curb bombings. He said his bill would make a Federal offense of interstate transportation of explosives for bombing and interstate conspiracies to intimidate people with bombs.
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