All language subtitles for Picket.Fences.S03E03.WebRip

‐[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]

[♪♪♪]