Nation IN BRIEF : ALABAMA : Judge Is Urged to Let Sit-In Continue

Any court order to end sit-ins at the Selma, Ala., high school and City Hall would escalate racial tension, an attorney for the protesters said. A judge scheduled a conference for today on a request from city attorneys for a temporary restraining order halting the protests, which have kept all Selma schools closed since last Wednesday. “It probably would escalate it,” attorney J. L. Chestnut said of a court order. “I don’t think black people give a damn about an injunction.” Turmoil began when six white members of the city school board voted to dismiss Norward Roussell, its first black superintendent. Roussell was reinstated after initial protests. But protesters want the school board to extend his contract, which expires June 30.