(POLITICS) Monster Mass Meeting Democracy for the Negro i

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(POLITICS.) Monster Mass Meeting . . . Democracy for the Negro in America Now! Leaflet, 9 x 6 inches; one-inch chip on top edge where tacked, light folds and wrinkling. New York, 22 June 1941

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The title of this rally sounds like a civil rights demonstration, but it was held to develop support for the coming war and increase patriotism among the Black community. The event was organized by "Fight for Freedom Inc. (Harlem Division)," a branch of a national citizens' committee which sought to prepare the nation for entry into World War Two against the Nazis. The slate of speakers was headlined by Colonel William "Wild Bill" Donovan, described as President Roosevelt's "ambassador-at-large" in Europe. His main job was establishing America's first intelligence service. Two weeks after this meeting, he was appointed Roosevelt's Coordinator of Information, an office which evolved into the Central Intelligence Agency. Other speakers included white novelist Dorothy Parker (an outspoken leftist) and the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

The report in Harlem's New York Age the next day described 1700 Harlemites gathered at the Golden Gate Ballroom as Communists picketed the event outside. Both Donovan and Powell were no-shows at the event. No other examples traced.

With--two leaflets for events sponsored by the Harlem Interracial Platform: a concert by soprano Marguerite Wood, 27 February 1944; and a panel discussion: "What Ails Our Youth? Why the Increase in the Use of Narcotics? What Can the Church Do?," 22 April 1951.