Statement written and circulated by The Forum, a seminar group of Grady students, independent of the student government or school administration to the Sibley Committee:

The text of the student's petition stated:

"We are students at Henry Grady High School in Atlanta, Ga. The school crisis affects our lives in an obvious and gigantic way. We recognize and admit, to an extent, the charge of our inability to weigh the moral concepts of both sides and make a just and wise decision.

"The fact remains, in the event, of the public schools closing, that most of us would be unable to continue our formal education, and our contribution to the betterment of our lives and the uplifting of mankind would be stunted and perhaps stifled outright.

"Whether the duty of a citizen is to obey the law of the land, regardless of his sincere private feelings, or to follow the heritage and deepseated custom of his region does not concern us in this situation. Each of us has his own firm convictions concerning this.

"What is common to all of us is the belief that to cut off our public education would be a tragedy of the highest magnitude.

"We believe that, under any foreseeable conditions, the public schools must not be shut down; they must continue to function and educate the youth of today to wisely guide the world of tomorrow."

source: Atlanta Journal, April 25, 1960