This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ChgoKid Surnames: Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.shawano/16908/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - November 5, 1985 Deceased Name: JAMES GROPPI, LEADER OF FAIR-HOUSING EFFORT James Groppi, 54, a former priest and civil rights activist who gained national attention in the 1960s by leading 200 consecutive daily open-housing marches through the streets of Milwaukee, died yesterday at his home. Mr. Groppi died "peacefully and comfortably" with family members nearby, according to a statement issued by his wife, Margaret. He had been partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair since Dec. 12, when a tumor was removed from his brain by laser surgery. In 1967 and 1968, Mr. Groppi, then a Roman Catholic priest assigned to St. Boniface, a church in Milwaukee's inner city, led daily marches in support of an open-housing law in Milwaukee. He was white, but most of his followers were black. In April 1968, the Milwaukee Common Council passed the open-housing ordinance, as did 50 other Wisconsin communities. Mr. Groppi then turned his attention to American Indian rights, anti-Vietnam War activities and the rights of welfare mothers. In March 1965, he marched for voting rights with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Groppi was arrested for the first time three months later when he and four other clergymen formed a human chain in front of a Milwaukee school to protest de facto segregation. "Agitate, agitate, agitate is my motto," he said at the time. The first of the housing marches was held on Aug. 28, 1967, when Mr. Groppi led his mostly black followers into predominantly white neighborhoods. There were occasional violent clashes. On Sept. 29, 1969, Mr. Groppi and a group of supporters occupied the state Assembly chamber in Madison for 11 hours. The National Guard patrolled the capital for 18 days. The assembly cited Mr. Groppi for contempt and he served 27 days in jail before U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall ordered that he be freed. Mr. Groppi then attended Antioch Law School in Washington for a time, drove a cab and participated in anti-war protests. In January 1975, he joined actor Marlon Brando as a peacemaker between authorities and armed Indian activists who had taken over the vacant Alexian Brothers Novitiate in Gresham, Wis. He often clashed with church superiors. His formal break with the church came in April 1976, when he married the former Margaret Rozga, a fellow activist. The couple had two daughters and a son. He became a bus driver for the Milwaukee County Transit system and in 1983 was elected president of the drivers' union. He worked for wage increases and job security. Some Common Council members representing the south side of Milwaukee boycotted an April 19 ceremony at City Hall honoring Mr. Groppi. On June 9, more than 600 well-wishers attended a dinner in his honor. Funeral arrangements were pending. Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Date: November 5, 1985 Edition: FINAL Page: C11 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.