page 310 - Long Walk Original Manuscript [LWOM_310.jpg]

chance of being a majority government, at least in so far the election involved whites only, by siding with the weaker party in what was essentially a conflict between a white corporation and the voteless section of the public.

Without even investigating the disputed issues or at least giving the people of Alex a hearing, the government chose to side with the mighty corporation whose directorate consisted of influential whites whose support would be essential in thier forthcoming contest. Realising that they had no real answer to the crucial issue of the people's inability to pay they tried to evade the whole question by dismissing that magnificent protest as a dangerous political move and threatened to take measures against all involved. In this way they hoped that the people would be intimidated and the boycott broken.

But on issues like this the people of Alex invariably showed surprising talent for organising and unity. On this occasion, as in 1942 and 1944, they walked the whole distance of about 16 miles to and from the city. They knew beforehand the exact measures the enemy would use in its attempt to break the boycott: summon a strong police force and patrol the area, protect and encourage those who might wish to use the buses, arrest the boycotters for passes, poll tax and a host of other petty offences. The corporation would keep the empty buses running slowly alnong the route to temptexhausted workers to throw in the towel and ride the buses. The corporation would also be able to get the police and traffic inspectors to intimidate those who might have the temerity to give lifts by threatening them with prosecution and the cancellation of their licences. This is exactly