Busing Opponent Knocked Unconscious in Boston

June 17, 1965 - Mrs. Louise Day Hicks, chairman of the Boston School Committee, riding in the Bunker Hill Day parade, was struck in the face by an apple today. She was knocked unconscious for several minutes.

Witnesses said Mrs. Hicks, seated on the top of the back seat of a sports car, groaned, grabbed her face, and toppled to the floor of the car after she was struck. Cries of anger and dismay came from the crowd of more than 1,000 who witnessed the assault.

Residents quickly brought smelling salts and ice packs, which policemen applied, and she regained consciousness within about five minutes. She resumed her position atop the back seat and rode through to the end of the parade.

“It wasn’t one of us Louise,” a voice rang out.

Mrs. Hicks, the 48-year-old daughter of a prominent attorney and judge, has been the central figure in a dispute over racial imbalance in some public schools in Boston. She is staunchly opposed to plans to integrate schools by busing students between districts. Mrs. Hicks recently obtained a permit to carry a gun after receiving telephoned threats.

She said after today’s incident: “I guess they thought I was a teacher and were tossing me an apple. I know it was somebody from outside and not anyone from Charlestown who did this.”

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