Mindful of the difficulties involved, we decided to undertake a process of self purification. We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community. As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us. A few signs, briefly removed, returned the others remained. As the weeks and months went by, we realized that we were the victims of a broken promise. On the basis of these promises, the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the leaders of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights agreed to a moratorium on all demonstrations. In the course of the negotiations, certain promises were made by the merchants-for example, to remove the stores' humiliating racial signs. Then, last September, came the opportunity to talk with leaders of Birmingham's economic community.
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