#draft protest

Photos from a Draft Resistance Rally at the Town Hall, New York City, 1/14/1968

[Photographs] Town Hall Meeting, 1/14/1968, Draft Resistance Rally [Town Hall, New York City] .  Series: Precedent Case Files, 1928 - 1976. Record Group 118: Records of U.S. Attorneys, 1821 - 1994

This file unit contains photographs depicting a Draft Resistance Rally held at Town Hall in New York City. The rally was a demonstration of support for “The Boston Five,” William Sloane Coffin, Jr., Michael Ferber, Mitchell Goodman, Marcus Raskin and Benjamin Spock, who were indicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts for aiding and abetting draft resistance.

Now open at the National Archives Museum: Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical Episodes in the Vietnam War

Explore 12 critical episodes in the Vietnam War through National Archives records which trace the policies and decisions made by the architects of the conflict and help untangle why the United States became involved in Vietnam, why it went on so long, and why it was so divisive for American society.

Draft Resistance Rally at the Department of Justice, 10/20/1967

File Unit: Photographs Taken by SA [Special Agent] Hilmer H. Krebs, 1928 - 1976. Series: Precedent Case Files, 1928 - 1976. Record Group 118: Records of U.S. Attorneys, 1821 - 1994

Opening November 10 at the National Archives Museum:

Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical Episodes in the Vietnam War

“Woman anarchist leader and aid in draft war. Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman convicted of conspiracy against draft law and sentenced to two years in penitentiary and fined $10,000 each, July 9, 1917. International Film Service.”

Series: American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860 - 1952.

Thanks to the convenient wording of the recently-passed Espionage Act, those who protested against newly introduced conscription, or against the United States’ participation in World War I, became prime subjects for prosecution. This language allowed the government to target socialists, communists, pacifists, and anarchists—all of which were generally opposed to the war.

Read more about the Espionage Act at Defining a Spy: the Espionage Act

Uncover more World War I Centennial Resources at the National Archives

Draft Protest in Traffic, 5/7/1968

Series: Precedent Case Files, 1928 - 1976. Record Group 118: Records of U.S. Attorneys, 1821 - 1994

Archival notes: This photograph depicts an anti-draft rally that has disrupted traffic. A protester spray painted propaganda onto the side of a Coca Cola delivery truck. This photograph was taken by Special Agent Richard G. Allen.

Now at the National Archives Museum: Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical Episodes in the Vietnam War

Learn about the origins, controversies, and legacy of the Vietnam War through twelve critical episodes.

Draft Resistance Rally at Yale University, 4/3/1968

File Unit: Coffin, Spock, et al - Enclosed Photos Taken by Photographer Robert Child, 1928 - 1976. Series: Precedent Case Files, 1928 - 1976. Record Group 118: Records of U.S. Attorneys, 1821 - 1994

Archival note:  This photograph is a Vietnam draft resistance rally at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. This photograph was taken by Robert Child, a photographer for the New Haven Journal Courier.

Now at the National Archives Museum: Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical Episodes in the Vietnam War

Learn about the origins, controversies, and legacy of the Vietnam War through twelve critical episodes.

Judgment for Benjamin Spock, 07/10/1968

This is the judgement against Dr. Benjamin Spock, prominent pediatrician and anti-war activist, from the “Boston Five” anti-draft resistance group. (The case was later appealed and conviction set aside)

via DocsTeach