c. 1964 -68 Movement for Puerto Rico Independence Boycott ellections Cause Pin for Sale

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c. 1964 -68 Movement for Puerto Rico Independence Boycott ellections Cause Pin For Sale

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c. 1964 -68 Movement for Puerto Rico Independence Boycott ellections Cause Pin:
$29.95

OFFERED FOR SALE IS THIS 1 1/2 INCH CELLULOID PINBACK BUTTON IN WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE REAL NICE SHAPE. HOWEVER, THAT IS JUST MY OPINION. SEE PHOTOS OF FRONT AND BACK FOR CONDITION, AND YOU BE THE JUDGE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE offerDING OR BUYING.

GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND ORIGINAL.

I COMBINE SHIPPING CHARGES ON MULTIPLE ITEMS. PLEASE WAIT FOR OR REQUEST AND INVOICE WITH COMBINED SHIPPING CHARGES BEFORE PAYING FOR THE ITEMS

This pin was issued and sold in either 1964, 1967 or 1968 to raise funds and support for boycotting the elections in Puerto Rico, held in those years. It was issued by the Movimiento Pro-Independencia (MPI). The MPI was formed by a group ofdissidents from the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), former militants ofthe Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico and the Communist Party of Puerto Rico,and university students.The MPI was geatlyinfluenced by the Cuban Revolution.

During the 1964 and 1968 elections, and the 1967plebiscite on the political status of Puerto Rico, the MPI promoted a boycott.Throughout the decade the MPI campaigned against the presence of big UScorporations denouncing their hindrance of the island\'s development, destruction of native industries and agriculture, and exploitation of the workers.

The pin displays a map of Puerto Rico, and both the Grito de Lares flag, recognized as the firstflag of Puerto Rico, (see separate image of the flag) and Puerto Rican flag.

This underground protest pinback button pin or badgerelates to the Hippie (Hippy) Counterculture Movement of the psychedelicSixties (1960s and Seventies (1970s).That movement included such themes and topics as peace, civil rights,radical, socialist, communist, anarchist, union labor strikes, drugs,marijuana, pot, weed, lsd, acid, sds, iww, anti draft, anti war, anti rotc,welfare rights, poverty, equal rights, integration, gay, women\'s rights, blackpanthers, black power, left wing, liberal, etc.progressive political movement and is guaranteed to be genuine asdescribed.

THIS IS MY HOBBY AND IS NOT A BUSINESS. THIS AND MY OTHER ITEMS ON ARE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTIONS AND WERE NOT INITIALLY ACQUIRED BY ME FOR RESALE. PROCEEDS GO TO BUY OTHER STUFF I AM INTERESTED IN COLLECTING.

I AM A LONG TIME MEMBER OF A. P. I .C. (AMERICAN POLITICAL ITEMS COLLECTORS). IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING. IT IS AGREAT ORGANIZATION!

SHIPPING COST TO DESTINATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES IS $5.50

OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, SHIPPING IS THROUGH \'S GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM. SETS THE TERMS AND CHARGES, OVER WHICH I HAVE NO CONTROL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

FOR SALE IS THIS 1 3/4 INCH CELLULOID PINBACK BUTTON IN WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE REALLY GREAT CONDITION. HOWEVER, THAT IS JUST MY OPINION. SEE PHOTOS OF FRONT AND BACK FOR CONDITION, AND YOU BE THE JUDGE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE offerDING OR BUYING.

GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND ORIGINAL.

This pin was issued and sold in 1968 in support of Eldridge Cleaver\'s presidential campaign on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket in California and other states. (In some states, other candidates were run, including Dick Gregory). Cleaver was best know as the Minister of Information of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

The pin is a photo of Cleaver.

TheBlack Panther Party collaborated withthe Peace and Freedom Party,which sought to promote a strong anti Vietnam War and anti racist politics in oppositionto the establishment democratic party. The Black Panther Party provided neededlegitimacy to the Peace and Freedom Party\'s racial politics and in returnreceived invaluable support for the \"FreeHuey\" campaign.

BLACKPANTHER PARTY

The BlackPanther Party or BPP (originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense) wasa Black revolutionary socialist organization active in the United States from1966 until 1982, with its only international chapter operating in Algeria from1969 until 1972.

At itsinception on October 15, 1966, the Black Panther Party\'s core practice was itsarmed citizens\' patrols to monitor the behavior of police officers andchallenge police brutality in Oakland, California. In 1969, community socialprograms became a core activity of party members. The Black Panther Partyinstituted a variety of community social programs, most extensively the FreeBreakfast for Children Programs, and community health clinics.

FederalBureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover called the party \"thegreatest threat to the internal security of the country\", and hesupervised an extensive program (COINTELPRO)of surveillance, infiltration, perjury, police and FBI harassment, beatings andmurder, assassination of Panther members and leaders, and many other despicable,illegal and unconstitutional tactics designed to undermine Panther leadership, falselyincriminate party members, discredit and criminalize the Party, and drain theorganization of resources and manpower. The program was also usingassassination against Black Panther members.

In his book Seize the Time, Bobby Seale, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party states that:

\"In ourview it is a class struggle between the massive proletarian working class andthe small, minority ruling class. Working-class people of all colors must uniteagainst the exploitative, oppressive ruling class. So let me emphasize again—webelieve our fight is a class struggleand not a race struggle.\"

Black Panther Party membership reached a peak in1970, with offices in 68 cities and thousands of members. Some scholars of U.S.history, have characterized the Black Panther Party as the most influential blackmovement organization of the late 1960s, and \"the strongest link betweenthe domestic Black Liberation Struggle and global opponents of Americanimperialism\".
On July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. - See more at: underground pinback button pin or badge relates to the Hippie (or Hippy) Counterculture Movement of the psychedelic Sixties (1960\'s) and Seventies (1970\'s). That movement included such themes and topics as peace, protest, civil rights, radical, socialist, communist, anarchist, union labor strikes, drugs, marijuana, pot, weed, lsd, acid, sds, iww, anti draft, anti war, anti rotc, welfare rights, poverty, equal rights, integration, gay, women\'s rights, black panthers, black power, left wing, liberal, etc. progressive political movement and is guaranteed to be genuine as described.
The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” - See more at: July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. - See more at: IS MY HOBBY AND IS NOT A BUSINESS. THIS AND MY OTHER ITEMS ON ARE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTIONS AND WERE NOT INITIALLY ACQUIRED BY ME FOR RESALE. PROCEEDS GO TO BUY OTHER STUFF I AM INTERESTED IN COLLECTING.

I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME MEMBER OF A. P. I .C. (AMERICAN POLITICAL ITEMS COLLECTORS). IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING. IT IS AGREAT ORGANIZATION!

SHIPPING: ITEMS WILL BE SAFELY PACKED TO AVOID DAMAGE DURING SHIPPING. ITEMS ARE SHIPPED BY FIRST CLASS MAIL.

SHIPPING COST TO DESTINATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES IS $4.00.

OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, THE SHIPPING COST IS $15.00.

I AM GLAD TO REDUCE SHIPPING CHARGES ON MULTIPLE ITEMS.HOWEVER IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COMBINED SHIPPING CHARGE, YOU MUST WAIT TO RECEIVE AN INVOICE WITH THE REDUCED CHARGE BEFORE PAYING, OR REQUEST AN INVOICE WITH COMBINED SHIPPING BEFORE PAYING, AND PAY UPON RECEIPT. OTHERWISE, I CANNOT REFUND SHIPPING COSTS ONCE PAID.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.

The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rightsmovement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent onthem or repudiated their activities. They were effective however inproviding protection for local African Americans who sought to registerto vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. TheDeacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fearfrom Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi.Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klanwould no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local AfricanAmericans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted theattention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. Theinvestigation stalled, however, when more influential black powerorganizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot.With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere,the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined ininfluence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activitiesof the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.”- See more July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisianaled by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrickfounded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice toprotect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War.The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearbyBogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks.Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deaconstense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing thefederal government to intervene on behalf of the local African Americancommunity. The national attention they garnered also persuaded stateand national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan inthat area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rightsmovement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent onthem or repudiated their activities. They were effective however inproviding protection for local African Americans who sought to registerto vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. TheDeacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fearfrom Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi.Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klanwould no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local AfricanAmericans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted theattention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. Theinvestigation stalled, however, when more influential black powerorganizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot.With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere,the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined ininfluence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activitiesof the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.”- See more July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisianaled by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrickfounded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice toprotect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War.The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearbyBogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks.Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deaconstense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing thefederal government to intervene on behalf of the local African Americancommunity. The national attention they garnered also persuaded stateand national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan inthat area of the Deep South. The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rightsmovement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent onthem or repudiated their activities. They were effective however inproviding protection for local African Americans who sought to registerto vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. TheDeacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fearfrom Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi.Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klanwould no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local AfricanAmericans without challenge. The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted theattention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. Theinvestigation stalled, however, when more influential black powerorganizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot.With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere,the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined ininfluence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activitiesof the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.”- See more July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisianaled by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrickfounded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice toprotect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War.The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearbyBogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks.Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deaconstense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing thefederal government to intervene on behalf of the local African Americancommunity. The national attention they garnered also persuaded stateand national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan inthat area of the Deep South. - See more