Simkins talks about how the Richland County Citizens' Committee enjoyed widespread support. Although the Committee did not have an official membership, Simkins argues that the Committee generally enjoyed the support of the masses, who were primarily poor and hard-working. In addition, Simkins describes how community members often turned to the Committee for help in times of legal crisis, although they lacked the kind of legal aid that the NAACP could offer. As a result, they worked closely with a number of white attorneys who were supportive of civil rights issues.