Original subtitles

‐[door opens] ‐[phone ringing]

What’s the problem, Henry? You sounded panicked.

We received a federal court order this morning.

Certified to the city council.

A court order. For what?

Some Green Bay parents, together with the NAACP,

filed an action for desegregation last spring.

They included a busing plan

for Green Bay kids to go to Windsor schools.

So, what’s that got to do with us?

Well, the judge ruled yesterday,

he liked the plan, except for Windsor.

He thought their schools couldn’t handle it, so...

he decided on Rome.

‐What? ‐What?

Our school district crosses into Brown County,

we’re eligible.

The judge wants it done immediately

because we’re beginning a school term.

What are you saying?

Starting on Monday, 400 Black students

are being bused here from Green Bay.

Well, can, can we handle this economically?

It isn’t just economics.

The kids to be bused come from a gang area.

There’s a budding gang problem in Green Bay and these...

kids are the kids in question.

I think it’s not as much about desegregation

as it is getting rid of the troublemakers.

They want to ship out the bad element.

And ship it to Rome.

[theme music playing]

[indistinct arguing]

Of course we do not question the lobby.

[Jimmy] Quiet, quiet.

‐Calm down! ‐We really need a mayor.

Hold on, hold on. We got an election in a month.

The City Council can handle this.

‐[man 1] We can’t wait that long. ‐[man 2] We need a mayor.

Ellen McGrath is a ranking council member

but she’s been inactive.

Henry, you do it.

Well, I’ve got an Episcopalian conference

this weekend‐‐ I’m the key note speaker.

I leave for Las Vegas in two hours.

‐Michael? ‐Not a chance.

[chuckles] Forget it.

Well, nobody wants it. Maybe we should just give it to Wambaugh.

‐What? ‐[others disagreeing]

Well, somebody’s gotta do it.

Well, how about you, Jill?

Me? No, no, I...

I’m not even a member of the City Council,

I’m only here as a member of the school committee.

‐How about co‐mayors? ‐[Michael] What?

Yeah, two people.

They work together.

‐And it’s only temporary for one month. ‐[Michael] For who?

Which two?

Well, Jill and Jason.

‐Me? ‐No, why‐‐

Look, you just split the duties, okay?

Oh, I’m a doctor. I can’t.

You’re also trusted by the town. Both of you.

You’ve done a great job on the city council, Jason.

‐I am not a mayor. I have a medical practice. ‐No, I...

I don’t want the job. It’s bad luck.

Nobody wants the job, but this is a crisis.

‐We need you. ‐This is, this is busing.

Think about the children.

It’s only for a month.

[clears throat]

[sighs] All right, I’ll do it...

if you will.

All right. Well, just until this busing thing is over, though.

Then I’m out.

[Kenny] Look at this.

[Max gasps]

[indistinct conversations]

Oh, my God.

[Kenny] There’s even a fold out.

Oh. Oh, no.

‐Oh, I feel sick. ‐See this one.

Did you pose for this smut rag?

[gasps] No.

Well, I‐I mean, I posed,

but they’re supposed to be private pictures for myself,

not for a magazine. How did they get in there?

The photographer must have sold them.

Oh, my father’s gonna see this.

‐Max, everyone’s gonna see this. ‐[Maxine groans]

And it gets even worse or better depending on your point of view.

[coughs, retches]

[inhales sharply] Oh.

‐[Kimberly] Are you sick? ‐[Douglas] Mmm.

‐Should I call an ambulance? ‐No.

‐[Douglas] Oh. ‐What’s wrong?

I filed an appeal with the State Supreme Court on Brian Latham‐‐

the unconstitutional confession, you know.

And did they rule already?

No, they refused to rule.

Instead they certified it for immediate appeal

to the US Supreme Court.

And?

The Supreme Court granted us certiorari.

Just like that, they grant cert.

What does that mean?

Hey, did you hear?

‐Did I hear? ‐Hear what? I haven’t heard.

This case is going to the Supreme Court.

You and I are going to argue before the Supreme Court.

[Douglas] Ah. [chuckles] Oh.

I should, should be upset of, of...

I’m supposed to wish there’d be no appeal, but...

I never thought I’d see the day.

You and I are going to the Supreme Court of the United States, baby!

[both laughing]

I have no jurisdiction over a federal court order.

Yes. Yes, of course, we understand that, Your Honor.

But if you will give us a state court injunction,

that should at least enable us to get some immediate appellate review.

We have nothing against desegregation.

So long as they don’t try it in Rome.

No, no, that isn’t it, Your Honor.

It isn’t that we don’t want

a Black student population in our schools.

You’re just concerned for those Black youngsters.

You want to be ready to give them the best education possible.

All we’re saying is let’s not rush it.

People are going to react to this.

It’s on account of it’s suddenness.

On account of the suddenness.

And a delay will allow us to accomplish

the desegregation in the most peaceful manner.

Mm‐hmm. Which would be the best thing

‐for those Black students. ‐[Franklin] Exactly.

So, you give us the injunction, we take it to federal court‐‐

I won’t give it to you.

Your Honor, all we’re trying to do is‐‐

[Judge] I know exactly what you’re trying to do.

And it doesn’t pass the smell test.

Your Honor, if we announce to the town

that those buses are rolling in here on Monday...

things could just blow up.

Well, if you want to stop those buses,

you have to get the federal court to do it. I won’t.

Very well...

We go to federal court.

[Judge] I’d think real hard on that.

The only thing you’ll succeed in

is telling those Black students that they are not welcome here.

And that could buy you the very trouble you’re afraid of.

[indistinct background conversations]

[door closes]

‐Come on, stay back. ‐[crowd clamoring]

Let ’em through.

[male reporter] When does the city council vote?

[woman] How many students are being bused in?

Look, you know as much as we do,

the federal order’s already in place.

How could you get to be mayor?

It’s a temporary position till the election.

Yeah, why you, Jill?

You have no political background.

I’m supposed to feel safe with you in charge? No offense.

Well, first of all, I have excellent diplomatic skills,

and second of all, you can stick it up your ass.

‐[crowd clamoring] ‐Come on, step back.

‐[woman] One more question! ‐Go on, clear out.

‐Let’s do it. ‐[man] All right.

Okay, look, we need to go over these trial transcripts, okay?

We need to get your signatures.

The Supreme Court briefs are going to want verified amendments.

What does that mean?

If you agree to send your testimony right,

you just sign the last page.

We can do this in my office, okay, the sooner the be‐‐

‐[Doug] Oh! ‐[man] Sorry.

He gave it to me.

I subscribe, you know. That and National Geographic.

So I can see all the places I know I’ll never get to visit.

I just read the interviews.

[man] Let’s clear this hallway.

We have to stick to reason.

So, we’ll argue the overcrowding of the schools,

‐the suddenness‐‐ ‐How about the potential violence,

and the parents worrying?

Or the efficacy of forced busing, in general.

Most studies show that it just doesn’t work.

That’s a loser. This judge obviously thinks it does work.

‐Who is this judge? ‐He’s progressive, proactive, and Black.

He wants busing to work and he wants it to work in Rome.

And trust me on this, if we go in there hysterical,

arguing gang violence or anything that smacks of racial paranoia, we are dead.

I’ve appeared before this judge.

You don’t want to make him angry.

Time. All they want is time.

Well, that’s all they wanted in Little Rock in 1958.

And that’s all Rome wants today.

Your Honor, nobody loves righteous indignation more than I.

It is the tone that I often employ with juries,

but I don’t think that a federal court judge

is going to be fooled by it.

Don’t overestimate me, Counsel.

We’re here today in the spirit of simple pragmatism. And I‐‐

You find desegregation to be anti‐pragmatic, Counsel?

I certainly do not.

But forced integration... in a sudden manner,

to order a plan which gives the school system no time to prepare‐‐

Prepare emotionally, or are we still talking pragmatic here?

The latter.

Your Honor,

this court order poses a logistical apocalypse.

Classes are already in session.

An influx of 400 new students next Monday

will have a devastating administrative effect.

It will present problems of overcrowding in the classroom.

There are 7000 students in Rome.

Surely 400 more would not‐‐

Exactly. The schools are already bulging.

Plus which, there could be special ed needs posed by this plan.

And yes,

there could be some social problems

necessitating more counselors or other more extreme needs.

This is a major undertaking.

To do it in a rash manner invites chaos, it begs tumult.

[Judge Nance] But the fall session is beginning now.

And suppose we wait a couple of months

and then bring the students in.

Wouldn’t that be even more disruptive,

changing things in the middle of the school term?

No. With time, we can prepare for change.

The adjustments can be made with considered planning‐‐

Oh, come on now, Counsel. What planning?

The teachers have their syllabuses.

They know what they’re going to teach.

So you have a couple of extra kids in class‐‐

you buy a few more books.

So what’s all this adjustment about?

Your Honor, there‐‐

You see, we’ve just arrived at the crucial point

of this hearing Mr. Dell.

It’s just about now I’ve got to gauge

just how credible a petitioner you are.

For me to find you persuasive,

I’ve got to believe that you’re coming at me straight.

So I’m asking you again...

We’re talking a few extra kids per class.

We handle the transportation from our end,

so what’s all this adjustment about?

Your Honor,

this is obviously a very white community.

The sudden influx of inner city Black youth

is going to result in some people being concerned, even paranoid.

I see.

And by recognizing this potential paranoia

and responding to it,

how do I not perpetuate it?

I’m simply making a plea for common sense.

By pushing this integration plan too fast,

you are promoting a volatile situation‐‐

And by holding off,

I am legitimizing a public panic grounded in racism.

Suppose there is violence, Your Honor,

a kid winds up dead.

What, you’re going to sit up there proud having clung to your principle?

Are you going to lecture me on my principles, Mr. Dell?

I’m simply reminding you that while you are perched high

wrapped in the safety of that cloak,

these people will have to live in that town.

Their children are in those schools

and you are making those schools less safe.

By populating it with Black students?

By affecting the climate of racial tension.

I see.

Well, Mr. Dell, you have indeed persuaded me.

I now have a much better understanding of the town of Rome.

So I’m going to modify my original order.

The only argument I give any credence to is the one of overcrowding.

I certainly don’t want to see congested classrooms.

So, to accommodate the 400 students I’m brining in,

I’m ordering that 400 Rome students

be bused out to Green Bay.

What?

Oh, well, I share your space concerns, Mr. Dell.

I also share your concerns over Rome’s cultural attitudes.

They need attention.

Your Honor...

you can’t be serious.

Oh, but I can.

And I leave it to your school board

to decide which of your children will go.

But 400 of them will go.

So have a lovely day in your lovely town.

Adjourned.

‐Are there any more? ‐Excuse me?

[John] Pictures.

Are there any others that could surface

that I should know about?

That’s all there is.

Look, I know this isn’t easy for you, okay?

‐[phone ringing] ‐[indistinct conversation]

Thank you.

And I don’t mean to jump back

on my credibility soap box again, but...

you were the arresting officer

on a case that’s now going to the Supreme Court.

Gotta have a response to this.

So, I gotta ask you...

Why?

[sighs]

They were just for me.

So that I’d have them when...

I don’t know, when I was old.

You wanted these pictures for yourself when you were old?

Look, I don’t have to explain myself to you.

No, you don’t.

[sighs] When I was a girl...

I always dreamed about being pretty enough

to be in one of those magazines.

The...

The pictures were just for me.

Or maybe I’d... show my husband one day.

I don’t know.

Look, I’m very sorry that this has happened.

Let’s review these transcripts, okay?

[knocking on door]

Excuse me, Your Honor.

I’m eating my lunch.

Is it your intent to disrupt my lunch?

To disrupt it with an ex parte communication?

I’ll be very brief.

This is Jill Brock, Mayor Protem of Rome, Wisconsin.

How do you do?

Fine, thank you.

Your Honor,

we could not be more supportive

of the spirit of integration.

[Franklin] Yes.

Well, I’d like to suggest a proposal.

Revoke the part about busing Rome kids out...

and give us a month, just one month,

to prepare for the Green Bay kids coming in,

and we will make this work.

We’ll make it work, beautifully.

You disturbed my lunch with a proposal?

Did it look like I was negotiating up there on that bench?

Was I sending you the message,

"Come hither with a counteroffer"?

Um...no.

We’re just trying to appeal to common sense.

I hate appeals and I loathe common sense.

Your Honor, please.

[Judge Nance] You come to me with a proposal.

Now, that disrespects me.

It says you don’t take my orders seriously.

We’re just trying to show you how big a problem we have.

Well, you got that right, Madam Mayor.

We have ourselves a very big problem.

And I’m trying to deal with it.

And I’m ordering you... to deal with it.

[Zach] What if we get picked?

I don’t know.

But we’re as white as they come, Zack.

We’d be the first ones they kill.

They wouldn’t kill us.

I read where Black kids kill each other.

I know, but... we’ve even got red hair.

They wouldn’t kill us.

Black people are the same as white people.

They just have different skin.

Otherwise, they’re just the same.

Johnny Simpson’s Black. You like him.

I know.

But it’s different when they’re in groups.

Look, I’m sure we won’t get picked, and even if we do,

it’ll be fine.

Then how come Mom and Dad are scared?

I don’t know.

There’s always private school. If our kids get picked, then‐‐

Well, why don’t we just designate a different neighborhood

so they don’t get picked?

Well, we can’t do that, Jimmy. That’s not fair.

A lottery is the only way to be fair. We gotta be fair.

Jill, I don’t care how liberal‐minded we’re supposed to be,

we’re not letting our children be bused

to an inner city school with gangs.

Well, listen to you. You sound like me.

[sighs]

So, what’s gonna happen?

Well, they’ve called a special town meeting

for tomorrow, Saturday.

We’ll tell the people and then we’ll sit back

and... [sighs]

...I don’t know, watch the roof blow off the building.

This is a good town.

And it’s an enlightened community.

These people here will handle it.

They’ll handle it.

Right.

In determining which of our children shall be bused to Green Bay...

we’ve decided to do it by lottery.

‐[crowd disagreeing] ‐[Jill] Now, wait, wait.

This is the only fair way

unless a particular neighborhood would like to volunteer.

‐[people clamoring] ‐Jill...

...why do we have to go along with this at all?

There’s a federal mandate, Ed. We have a court order.

[all] Appeal it.

We have appealed, but that doesn’t stay

the district court’s ruling.

If we don’t abide, the town could be held in contempt.

‐And then what? ‐[Franklin] Excuse me?

Uh, well, I’d like to know

if a town enjoys any independence here.

‐It doesn’t. ‐[crowd groans]

[Jill] All right, all right. Hold on, hold on now.

One possibility is to immediately establish a private school.

[crowd murmuring]

For a nominal tuition, we can call it a private school

and it is not subject to busing.

Henry Novotny has offered the use of his church.

The court will see through that and hold you in contempt.

Listen, can I say something? I’d like to be heard.

[crowd applauding and cheering]

[man] All right, Ed.

‐Thank you. ‐[feedback from mic]

My name is Ed Lawson.

I’m an employee of the United States Postal Service.

I work for the government and I’m loyal to it.

But it’s gotta be the most mismanaged institution in the world.

I mean, they can’t pass bills on healthcare‐‐

You’re getting off the point here, Mr. Lawson.

Look, it’s not off the point.

The government’s trying to come in here

and run our affairs when they can’t even

handle their own.

Why should we trust them?

Why should we assume

they know what’s best for us?

‐Let’s stick to the subject, Ed. ‐I’m on the subject.

The point is, it’s been up to the small town

to survive on its own and we’ve done that.

We built up our schools, we’ve done a good civic thing.

It’s a good town to raise our kids

where they can grow up safe.

Now, how dare these people back in Washington

think that they can just charge in here

and say, "Hey, we don’t care about your safety.

"We’ve got our own plan.

"We’re gonna bus in 400 Black kids from gang land

and if that screws things up for your kids, tough."

They’re saying to us we gotta send our kids to Green Bay

where the education is who knows what,

where they could get shot?

Not my ten‐year‐old. Not my daughter.

No, I say, let’s stand up to these federal sons of bitches.

I say I’d rather secede than let them take our kids!

[cheering]

[Jill] Walter...

Do you mind if I share this podium?

Don’t make it a Black thing. This isn’t a Black thing.

May I say what I choose to say?

It’s a free country.

Supposedly.

Uh...

I too am a parent.

My son, Jason, is 16.

My daughter, Sondra, is 15.

Their mother and I brought them here two years ago.

For the same reason, I guess.

We thought this would be a good place to raise a family.

It wasn’t easy for them.

It meant saying goodbye

to friends they had known all their lives.

And...

they were scared...

of moving in to a community that was this white.

But I told them...

this is a good community.

This was a town that would welcome them.

And you know what? It did.

My kids are happy.

And I’m happy as a parent

because I got them into a community that I thought

would help raise them to be good people.

And I was proud of them.

So truly proud.

And to think that...

maybe because of my family and their sacrifices,

and maybe the sacrifices

of other Black families in Rome, Wisconsin,

that this community comes closer to being

what those American freedom slogans are all about.

Well...

imagine...

how proud I am today...

to sit and listen to this room rumble with panic

over the idea of Black students infiltrating the schools.

Imagine how honored I am to live in a community

that can fear people because of the color of their skin.

Now you say it’s not a Black thing.

It is a Black thing!

You’re talking about opening up private schools

so that the coloreds can’t be bused into ’em.

I am standing here with so much civic pride, I am bursting.

I am bursting.

So...

So now...

I got to go home today...

and tell my kids...

that the reason Rome, Wisconsin, welcomed them...

was ’cause they showed up in small numbers.

Imagine...

imagine how truly proud I feel today.

[door closes]

‐[Maxine] Hey. ‐[John] Hey.

What are you doing here?

My penance.

For what?

I don’t know, uh...

what’s the expression?

"All it takes for evil to succeed...

is for good Black men to do nothing."

So that’s why you’re in church? Guilt?

I do not support busing.

And a District Attorney should stay out of political debate.

But I should have been in that room,

if for no other reason than just to...

just to look a few of those people in the eye...

What are you doing here?

Actually, I come here a lot in the afternoons

after the place empties out.

I just like to sit, think.

Yeah.

Thank you.

For what?

For not tearing into me about those pictures.

I know they just made your job that much tougher.

One of these days, I’m gonna stop humiliating myself

and everyone around me.

[chuckles] Yeah, well, you let me know.

It would be nice...

if we could wave a wand and wipe out all racial tension.

I, too, would be very proud to think that I live in a community

that, that would welcome these inner city youths

if they felt honored and privileged to come here.

But that isn’t the case, is it?

So what do we do?

Ride it out?

Dig in and just try to, uh, survive all the turmoil,

because we know that after all of the hatred,

maybe violence, Rome would be a better place?

[clicks tongue] Well...

we could do that.

But not me.

I’m all for equality.

But I do not want to see it achieved

at the expense of my children.

None of us wants to send our kids to Green Bay

to got to a school in a gang area.

None of us, let’s be honest, wants gang kids

put into our schools here.

There could be bloodshed.

At a minimum, it will make our schools less safe.

I’m a pretty liberal person.

But I got to say, ashamed as I may be...

if those buses come in, I’ll be moving my family out.

‐[crowd murmuring] ‐[Carter] Suppose they don’t come, Mr. Kramer?

Suppose this little mob demonstration

keeps those buses out, what’s the victory?

Well, maybe our kids could grow up then.

Grow up as what?

Maybe some of them will move out.

Where will they tell people they came from?

A place where they didn’t just put up fences around the yards,

but a place where they sealed off the whole town?

For what? To keep out the unwanted.

Wow, that’s certainly a community worth protecting, isn’t it?

You don’t have kids, Carter.

You’re not helping ’em by passing on prejudice.

‐It isn’t that simple! ‐Are you trying to keep your morgue busy?

You’re worried about Black students. Innocent people.

The Supreme Court might let Brian Latham back on the street,

and he’s a killer‐‐ nobody’s talking about that.

We’re all talking about it. That’s just another reason

why we can’t trust the government.

‐I’m at the podium now. ‐Oh, go play with a corpse.

‐[crowd murmuring] ‐That’s the very ignorance we’re dealing with here.

You calling me ignorant, Carter?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am!

[clamoring]

Ed!

[clamoring]

Knock it off!

[deputy] All right. Come on.

[Jimmy] Knock it off.

Damn it!

Superior Court, from Hogan County,

says it’ll only take a minute.

Send him in.

My name is Henry Bone.

Oh, heh, I know who you are.

Then you know why I’m here.

You think you’re leaving a legacy?

Maybe they’ll all toast you

on Martin Luther King Day.

Big deal.

Forced busing is dangerous.

If it’s done arbitrarily, it’s deadly.

And you think I just arbitrarily picked Rome?

A town that let an HIV dentist practice medicine?

The town that let a priest with a shoe fetish

keep his parish? Oh, no.

I know Rome, Wisconsin very well.

And I’d also like to think I know

a little about Judge Henry Bone.

You’re the public conscience of that little village.

I bet they all came running to you over this busing crisis

wanting you to enjoin my order.

You probably told them to go to hell, right?

Well, I’m hoping that the people of Rome

will once again heed their Judge Henry Bone.

This issue is bigger than me... and you.

It’s been 40 years since Brown v. Board of Education.

Do you know how much has happened since then?

‐Not enough. ‐[Judge Nance] Right.

And I figure if we just reach out into the heartland

and what better place to get a kick‐start than in Rome.

[chuckles] Oh, it’s a weird town. But I like it.

Part of the town’s bliss comes from getting to think

it’s free from bigotry.

Your ruling could shatter that illusion.

Sometimes the best projects come from breakage.

You want to leave a legacy, Your Honor?

Just remember, whatever happens,

it will be your legacy.

So, what’s your take on all this?

‐I don’t know. ‐Well, how would you feel

if 400 kids suddenly showed up at your school?

I’d... I’d probably be scared.

Because they’re Black?

No, not because they’re Black.

But because...

I’d be afraid they’d hate me because I was white.

That’s racist to assume they’d be racist.

I know.

[lively chattering]

Sorry. Excuse me, excuse me.

[Jill] All right, everybody, settle down, please!

Please be quiet. We’d all like to be heard here.

[Jill sighs]

All right, um...

my co‐mayor, Jason Steinberg, and I

have met together with Counsel Franklin Dell.

We’ve considered our options and we’ve reached a decision.

We’re all law‐abiding people.

But today, our conscience as law‐abiding citizens

is in direct conflict with our role as parents.

That’s the base of our protest.

It’s the concern for the safety of our children.

But as Carter Pike says...

are we protecting them by passing on prejudice?

Because it is prejudice, let’s be honest.

If the children to be bused weren’t Black...

and from the inner city...

we would all be in church right now singing "Jerusalem."

We’re prejudiced.

Whatever it is we think we’re protecting,

it certainly isn’t our innocence...

or our idealism.

Unfortunately, parents today

can’t get as wrapped up in idealism as they used to.

The best thing sometimes

is just to give our kids a fighting chance

and hope to God that they survive.

And because it’s about survival most...

our decision is to defy the federal court order.

‐[man] All right. ‐[cheering]

[Jill] Quiet, please.

[cheering continues]

[Jill] Quiet, everybody! Please listen.

All right. Wait. Please listen.

We have a very difficult path.

See, the question becomes

what happens when a town finally stands up

to the federal government

and says, "No, we’re not gonna take it anymore"?

‐[whistling, cheering] ‐[Jill] Please, please.

Stop it, stop it, please.

Cheering doesn’t help,

especially when our common ground is latent bigotry.

Please, let’s not celebrate that.

Let’s...

Let’s concentrate on what we have to do.

Now, our plan is simple.

We will not let our children go to Green Bay.

And we will not welcome into our schools

the children from Green Bay.

I apologize to the students from Green Bay

and to their families.

But today, Rome...

has to think about Rome.

Um...

Mr. Dell will now explain to you

the legal consequences of our actions.

[Mr. Dell clears throat]

The, uh, mayor and the school board...

will likely be held in contempt of federal court.

Now, there should be no...

sanctions taken against any of you, no direct sanctions,

but federal services could be cut off.

[crowd murmuring]

[Dell] All right, the main thing is...

our civil disobedience...

will likely effect an immediate appellate review

of the district court order.

Now, there is a chance...

that we can get the busing decree overturned at that point.

At the very least...

we should be able to prevent our kids from being bused out.

Now, should we lose on the incoming issue,

we will, at least, buy some time...

to accomplish the integration plan in an orderly manner.

Dr. Brock.

All right...

Now, before we put the plan through,

we’re going to hold it open to a voice vote.

But before we do that...

I just want you all to think about something.

I’ve lived in this town for 13 years.

I’ve seen one of my sons shot,

I’ve had a daughter kidnapped.

Rome has been a town of considerable hardship.

But this day, by far...

is the saddest.

If we say to those Black children of Green Bay

"No, you cannot come to Rome, Wisconsin,"

because of fear or... or whatever...

it’s the saddest day ever.

We put a stain on Rome, Wisconsin...

for all time.

Yes, we have to protect our children...

but at what cost?

[sighs] All right, I’m...

I’m going to put this open to voice vote now.

[sighs] If you want us to defy the busing order,

please indicate now with your applause.

[applause starts]

[applause swelling]

[knocks on door]

Well, isn’t this a happy time?

I don’t work on Mondays, I fish.

What are you fishing for here?

Seems the people here didn’t heed Henry Bone after all.

They also didn’t heed me. Now, that’s a big mistake.

Not eight o’clock in the morning. You get started early, don’t you?

Well, the kids from Green Bay

won’t be arriving till about nine.

What?

Those kids are coming,

whether the good people of Rome, Wisconsin,

welcome them or not.

Are you nuts?

I just told your mayor, now I’m telling you.

I’ve got nothing to do with it.

Then find something to do. Talk to them.

Make them understand they pissed off the wrong judge.

Hey, if you think I’m about to do your bidding,

you just picked the wrong judge.

You may scare a lot of people. I’m not one of them.

This is your town, your county.

What happens inside these borders is your legacy.

Do you really know what you’re doing?

Yeah, Judge...

I do.

Well, what can we do?

Short of any military response, nothing now,

but I’ll tell you this.

Letting those kids go into the schools

with the climate in this town right now,

that’s dangerous.

What are you suggesting?

I’m suggesting you put a cop in every classroom,

in the hallways, too.

And you might consider restraining the parents

from going to the schools.

They’ll only exacerbate the tension.

I can’t believe this is happening.

Jimmy, assemble your men. Go down to the school.

Keep those students from getting off the buses.

‐What? ‐Is there any chance

there won’t be violence if we let those kids in?

After we declared them to be unwelcome,

is there any chance they won’t feel the hostility?

She’s right. What choice do we have?

Just let things erupt? I mean, what choice do we have?

Go, Jimmy. Police blockade. You’ve got 20 minutes.

Jill, there’s a big difference between‐‐

I’m not your wife talking, I’m the mayor.

Do it.

[sirens wailing]

[indistinct conversations]

All right, Kenny, get these people inside the school.

Students will remain inside the building until further notice.

Nobody comes out until then.

[deputy] Get those kids back in.

All right, disperse and go home folks, please.

Get behind that barrier.

[female officer] Get back.

[officer on radio] This is Unit seven. Affirmative. In position.

[Jimmy] News media, if you want to help...

‐Hey, this is unbelievable. ‐I know.

[exhaling sharply]

I apologize.

My first priority has to be to prevent violence.

I apologize.

[man] Get those spectators behind the barricades.

That’s what they’re for.

[Kenny] Jimmy! Here we go.

[man] All right, people, just help us here.

[Jimmy] All right, positions everybody!

[indistinct chatter]

[soldier 1] One, two, three, fall out!

[soldier 1 speaking indistinctly]

[soldier 1] Take the walkway!

[soldier 2] Move it, move it, move it. Move, move, move.

[Lt. Col. Joseph Brown] Sheriff Brock?

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Brown with the National Guard.

We’re just here to get some kids into school, sir.

Would you instruct your men to let ’em through?

Well, my orders are to keep the kids on the bus.

My orders are that these kids will be in that school, sir.

[sighs] You want a confrontation, Colonel?

Do you, Sheriff?

I have orders not to back down from one.

Now, these kids are going to get into the school.

[indistinct radio chatter]

All right, deputies, listen up. Sheriff Brock here.

Abandon the last order.

That’s, uh, right. Repeat. Abandon.

That is an order.

Thank you, sir.

Okay, let’s not be late.

Open it up.

Come on, son.

[♪♪♪]

[camera shutters clicking]

[♪♪♪]