Collection Focus: FBI Little Rock School Crisis Report

Included in the materials digitized for the grant project is the FBI Little Rock School Crisis Report. This collection contains the interviews and investigations conducted by the FBI during the Little Rock School Integration Crisis. These materials were released by the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act.

On September 4, 1957, after receiving information that the National Guard had turned away nine African American students who had tried to attend classes at Central High School, Judge Ronald N. Davies requested that the U.S. Attorney authorize an FBI investigation.

Davies was specifically concerned about allegations about the failure to comply (and interference) with his order to proceed with the integration of Central High School. Additional related investigations dealing with protesters, the National Guard, 101st Airborne, the Arkansas Military District, and possible riots and violence also resulted and are included in the digitized materials.