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Civil Defense Protest Committee Collected Records

 Collection — othertype: CDG-A
Identifier: SCPC-CDG-A-Civil Defense Protest Committee

Abstract

Collection includes meeting minutes, correspondence, legal documents, pamphlets, publicity materials, and newspaper clippings; the bulk of the collection is from 1955.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1955-1962

Language of Material

Materials are in English.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research without restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

Original name: Provisional Defense Committee, 1955-1959; changed name to Civil Defense Protest Committee, 1960; began operation ca. 1955; headquartered in New York, N.Y.; consisted of pacifists who refused to obey civil defense alerts, arguing that civil defense "created the illusion that the nation can devote its major resources to preparation for war and at the same time shield people from war's effects"; many members were arrested in demonstrations; members/defendants included: Judith Malina Beck, Dorothy Day, Ralph DiGia, Ammon Hennacy, A.J. Muste, James Peck, Orlie Pell, and Bayard Rustin.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (5 linear in.)

General Note

The Swarthmore College Peace Collection is not the official repository for the records of the Civil Defense Protest Committee or the Provisional Defense Committee.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting reproductions from Swarthmore College Peace Collection Library

Contact:
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Swarthmore 19081-1399 USA US
610-328-8557
610-328-8544 (Fax)