Subversive Influences


Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

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Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Spot Report." May 15, 1968.

Microfiche: 1979-120C
Date Issued: May 15, 1968
Date Declassified: [No declassification date]
Length: 3 pages
NOT Sanitized


FULL TEXT


Spot Report:

1. The National Committee to End the War in Vietnam, a coalition of anti-war groups which sponsored the march on the Pentagon last October, endorsed the Poor People's Campaign at a meeting, 10 May 1968. A representative of the Campaign at the meeting said plans were being made to invade and take over federal offices if the campaign's demands are not met. He said the Campaign is planning a long stay in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE: FBI, TWX, dated 14 May 1968



2. James Bevel, a former Deputy to the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and on loan from the SCLC to act as Executive Director of the National Committee to end the War in Vietnam has been very active in the Poor People's Campaign and is in charge of "non-violent" workshops which are supposed to be held continually during the Poor People's Campaign. Bevel previously headed the April 15th Mobilization Committee and has participated in a number of peace programs throughout the country. He has addressed meetings of the W.E.B. Dubois Clubs of America and reportedly has stated in response to the question of whether he is a Communist, "every thinking American should be". Bevel was a speaker at the founding convention of the Committee for Independent Political Action (CIPA) in January 1966.

The CIPA is a radical group founded to stress the link-up between the "Peace", civil rights, and student protests movements. Among participating organizations at its organizing convention were: SNCC, SCLC, CPUSA, Dubois Clubs of America, the New Breed, Women for Peace, Black Panthers, Deacons for Defense, American Friends Service Committee, SDS, The All-Negro American Labor Council, and two labor unions; the United Packinghouse Workers and the Shoe and Leather Workers. Since the founding meeting, Victoria Gray representing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and Mike Miller, representing the Friends of SNCC, have been affiliated.

At a public meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently Bevel said, "Our capitalistic system is outdated and geared for 16th century people, but we are in the 20th century." He has also spoken out against the McCarran Act.

Diane Nash Bevel, wife of James, was an illegal traveller to North Vietnam, a leader of the SNCC Program against ROTC and the SNCC Workshop in Nashville in March 1967, and has denounced U.S. "terror tactics" in Vietnam.

SOURCE: FBI, Military Intelligence Digest, and News Media
RELIABILITY: Deemed Accurate



3. Signs of Things to Come

When a portion of the Poor People's Campaign "non-violent" Midwest contingent augmented by local supporters were in the process of holding an enroute night rally and demonstration in Detroit, 13 May 1968, their communications (loud speakers) vehicle broke down in front of the convention hall (donated for use by the city) and blocked traffic. The marchers were unable to effect repairs quickly enough to satisfy local police officers who first suggested it be pushed aside and, that not being heeded, offered to tow it out of the way. This offer was refused and then when the police insisted on towing it, the marchers, at the order of one of their leaders, surrounded the vehicle and obstructed the police efforts. Upon being so defied, police reinforcements were called and upon their arrival a scuffle ensued during which mounted police apparently charged to break up a crowd of about 100. Five demonstrators were treated at Detroit General Hospital, although not seriously hurt. A number of these "non-violent" demonstrators then ripped legs off wooden folding tables and prepared to do battle. Apparently in view of the impending confrontation, some 2,500 of the crowd of 3,500 decided to leave the area. Fortunately, after remonstration and exhortation by the march leaders and with the exercise of restraint by the police who withdrew, further escalation of the melee was averted and the incident remained relatively minor. Reverend Abernathy, back in Washington, D.C., quickly cited the affair as an "unprovoked attack" on the marchers by the police. SCLC and Detroit authorities are investigating.

SOURCE: News Media
RELIABILITY: Unknown


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