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HTML-Encoded Finding Aid

Title  JAMES LAFFERTY COLLECTION

Genre: Papers,                 

Date  : 1969-1973                    

Size   : 3.5 Linear Feet

ID    #:  626              

OCLC:                    

©Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs

HEFA.01c.update

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SCOPE & CONTENTS

Ø     Subjects

Ø     Correspondents

Ø     Related Collections

 

CONTENTS

Ø     Containers

Ø     Index

Finding Aids Return

Scope & Contents

 

The papers of James Lafferty were deposited with the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs in January of 1974 by Mr. Lafferty and opened for research in December of 1990.

 

Mr. Lafferty was born in Detroit, Michigan on 27 May 1938.  He graduated from Detroit’s Central High School in 1956, received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1960, and a LL.D from Wayne State University Law School in 1963.  After admission to the State Bar of Michigan in 1964, he served for three years as Executive Secretary of the National Lawyer’s Guild, a progressive bar association.  From 1967 to 1969 he held the position of Coordinator, Civil Division, Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services.

 

From 1969 to 1977, Mr. Lafferty was a partner in the Detroit law firm of Lafferty, Reosti, Jabara, Stickgold, James, Soble and Smith, which specialized in selective service/military law and civil rights.  During these years the firm represented many of the leading groups and individuals working in various movements for social change and Mr. Lafferty became one of the nation’s most prominent “draft attorneys.”

 

Between the years of 1968 and 1973, Mr. Lafferty was active in the movement to end U.S. intervention in Vietnam.  He served as Chair of the Detroit Coalition to End the War Now! and was a founder and a national Coordinator of the National Peace Action Coalition, the group that organized the largest demonstrations against the U.S. war in Vietnam.  On behalf of this work he spoke and traveled all over the United States and abroad.  He served as a part-time Hearing Referee for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 1972-1973.

 

In 1977, Mr. Lafferty established the law firm of Lafferty and Van Dyke in Birmingham, Michigan.  In 1979 he organized the first branch of the American Civil Liberties Union in Oakland County, Michigan and served as Chair of this branch until 1983.  From 1979 to 1983 he also organized and Chaired a pro-low cost housing group in Birmingham, Michigan.

 

Mr. Lafferty re-located to New York City in 1984, the same year he was an organizer of the Emergency National Council Against U.S. Intervention in Central America/the Caribbean  He served as one of its Regional Coordinators until 1991.  During these years he also served on “steering committees” of various national efforts to end U.S. intervention in Central America/the Caribbean.

 

From 1985 to 1988, he taught a course at the New School for Social Research in New York City, entitled:  “Vietnam:  the War at Home and Abroad.”  Beginning in 1991, he became active in the movement to end U.S. intervention in the Persian Gulf, serving on the Steering Committee of the Campaign for Peace in the Middle East.  At this time, he lives in New York City with his wife, Benita Garvin and is employed as the Associate Director of the Center for Seafarers’ Rights of the Seamen’s Church Institute.

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Subjects

Detroit Coalition to End the War Now! (DCEWN)

Labor

Mid East Conflict

National Peace Action Coalition (NPAC)

Student Mobilization Committee

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Correspondents

Irving Bluestone

Cleveland Area Peace Action Coalition (CAPAC)

John Conyers

Zolton Ferency

Carl Haessler

Emil Mazey

NPAC

Mel Ravitz

Student Mobilization Committee

Jackie Vaughn

 

Related Collections

Detroit to End War in Vietnam Collection     425

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Contents

6 Manuscript Boxes

 

 

Series I.  Boxes 1-2

 

         Correspondence, clippings, reports, newsletters, notes, and other general materials on a variety of topics, mostly relating to the peace and anti-war movement.  This material covers the years 1969-1973. [Box1] [Box2]

 

 

Series II.  Box 3

 

         Mainly correspondence, both to and from, various groups across the country involved in the peace and anti-war movement.  This series covers the years 1969-1973. [Box3]

 

 

Series III.  Boxes 4-5

 

         Newsletters from various organizations, colleges, and universities.  The content of the newsletters focuses primarily on the peace and anti-war movement.  This series covers the years 1969-1973. [Box4] [Box5]

 

 

Series IV.  Box 6

        

         Correspondence, flyers, leaflets, agenda, reports, and notes pertaining to the National Peace Action Coalition.  These files cover the years 1970-1973. [Box6]

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Containers

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[Box1] [Box2] [Box3] [Box4] [Box5] [Box6]

 

Series I

General Files

Boxes 1-2

 

 

This series contains correspondence, clippings, reports, newsletters, notes, and other general materials on a variety of topics.  The files are arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and chronologically within each folder.  This series covers the years 1969-1973.

 

 

1-Box General Files

 

        1.     Air War Literature, 1971-72

        2.     Air War Literature; documentation package, [c. 1972]

        3.     Attacks on the anti-war movement, [1972]

        4.     Chronology of the anti-war movement, 1972

        5.     Clippings and reprints; ads, 1970-72

        6      Clippings; bombings of North Vietnam and the dikes, 1972

        7.     Clippings; McGovern, including press releases, 1972

        8.     Clippings; general, 1972-73

        9.     Correspondence; city of Detroit and DCEWN, 1969-1973

       10.     Correspondence; DCEWN, 1970, 1972

       11.     Correspondence; Financial Matters, 1970-71

       12.     Correspondence; Lafferty’s speaking engagements and interviews, 1969-73

       13.     Correspondence; NPAC, 1970-73

       14.     Correspondence; other anti-war relations, 1972

       15.     Correspondence; Representatives, 1972-73

       16.     DCEWN; financial matters, 1969-70

       17.     DCEWN; 15 Jun 1970 protest picket

       18.     DCEWN; labor involvement, 1971

       19.     DCEWN; Lafferty’s notes, 1970-72

       20.     DCEWN; leaflets, brochures, 1969-72

       21.     DCEWN; mailings, 1969-72

       22.     DCEWN; meetings, 1969-72

       23.     DCEWN; newsletter, 1969

       24.     DCEWN; press coverage of NPAC, DCEWN in Detroit, 1969-73

       25.     DCEWN; press releases, 1970-73

       26.     DCEWN; structure and contacts, [1969-72]

       27.     Essays and plays; “Cleveland Anti-War Conference,” 1969

       28.     Essays and plays; “The Committed at U of M,” 1969

       29.     Essays and plays; “Dear Herbert,” n.d.

       30.     Essays and plays; “Vietnam:  A Play in Many Scenes,” 1971

       31.     Gay rights demonstration plans, Jun 1973

 

 

2-Box General Files

 

        1.     Labor; Emergency Election Conference, 1972

        2.     Labor for Peace Founding Convention, 23-24 Jun 1972

        3.     Labor Handbook; A Rich Man’s War; a Poor Man’s Fight, 1971

        4.     Labor involvement; debate, 1970

        5.     Labor involvement; UAW, DFT, meatcutters, 1970

        6.     Labor; newsletter, Social Services Union, Jun 1972

        7.     Mid East Conflict; Arab-American University Graduates, 1970, 1972-73

        8.     Mid East Conflict; lawsuit to obtain U.S. military intervention plans, 1971-72

        9.     Mid East Conflict; literature, clippings, correspondence, 1971-72

       10.     Mid East Conflict; reaction to Lafferty’s article in Free Palestine, 1971-72

       11.     Mid East Conflict; Search for Justice and Equality in Palestine, 1972

       12.     Notes and drafts; Lafferty’s Militant and Guardian articles, n.d.

       13.     Notes and drafts; legal citations and materials, 1969

       14.     Notes and drafts; reply to Harrington’s article, 1973

       15.     Notes and drafts; speeches, Lafferty, 1969-71

       16.     Notes and drafts; speeches, Lafferty, 1972

       17.     Notes on the draft, 1969-70

       18.     Racism and the anti-war movement; “Ring Around the Capital,” 1972

       19.     Student Mobilization Committee; GI Press Service, 1970

       20.     Student Mobilization Committee; high school bill of rights, n.d.

       21.     Student Mobilization Committee; leaflets, [1969-70]

       22.     Student Mobilization Committee; national mailings, Oct 1969-Apr 1970

       23.     Student Mobilization Committee; national mailings, May 1970-1972

       24.     Student Mobilization Committee; Student Mobilizer, 1970-1972

       25.     Veterans against the war, n.d.

       26.     Veterans Peace Offensive, 1 Dec 1969

To containers

 

Series II

Groups

Box 3

 

 

This series contains correspondence, both to and from, various groups involved in the peace and anti-war movement.  The files are arranged alphabetically by group name, and chronologically within each folder.  This series covers the years 1969 to 1973.

 

 

3-Box Groups

 

        1.     American Friends Service Committee, 1972

        2.     Business Executives Move for Vietnam Peace, 1970-71

        3.     Canadian peace groups, 1973

        4.     Chicago Peace Council, 1969-70

        5.     Chicago peace groups, 1969

        6.     Children’s March for Survival, 25 Mar  1972

        7.     Citizens’ Commission of Inquiry, 1970

        8.     Citizens for Legislation to Protect Michigan Men from Undeclared Wars, 1970

        9.     City Charter Revision Commission, 1973

       10.     Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam, 1970, 1972

       11.     CALCAV, 5 Nov 1971

       12.     Coalition on National Priorities and Military Policy, Sep 1970

       13.     Committee for Democratic Election Laws, n.d.

       14.     Committee for Legal Research on the Draft, 1970

       15.     Committee for a New China Policy, 1970

       16.     Control, Conflict and Change, 1972

       17.     Detroit Area Draft and Military Counselors, [1972]

       18.     Detroit area peace and related groups, [1970], 1972

       19.     FTA, [c. 1969]

       20.     GI Civil Liberties Defense Committee; Ed Jurenas’ case, May-Jun 1971

       21.     Harrisburg Defense Committee; “Pilgrimage Manual:  Source Kit on Organizing” 1972

       22.     Harrisburg Defense Committee; press coverage and leaflets, 1972

       23.     Harrisburg Defense Committee and related groups; literature, n.d.

       24.     Human Rights Party Campaign, n.d.

       25.     “Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs,” 21 Jul 1971 and 2-9 Aug, 1972

       26.     Kent Legal Defense Fund, 1970

       27.     Lobby of Americans, 1971

       28.     Michigan Committee Against Repression, 1970

       29.     Michigan Student Action Council, 1970

       30.     Movement Information Library Newsletter, Feb 1972

       31.     National Caucus of Labor Committees, 1971-72

       32.     National Coalition Against War, Racism and Repression, 1970-1971

       33.     National Council to Repeal the Draft; Michigan Chapter, [c. 1971]

       34.     National Lawyer Guild; military law office and Detroit chapter, 1973

       35.     National peace related groups, 1970, 1972-73

       36.     New American Movement, n.d.

       37.     New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, 1969

       38.     New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, 18 Nov 1969-1970

       39.     New Party of Florida, 1970

       40.     Northwest Nonviolent Training and Action Center, n.d.

       41.     Northwest Women for Peace, 1973

       42.     Parents Against the Draft, 1971

       43.     Paris World Assembly for Peace in Indochina; memos, notes, NPAC, Feb 1972

       44.     Paris World Assembly for Peace in Indochina; statements and speeches, Feb 1972

       45.     People’s Coalition for Peace and Justice, 1971-72

       46.     People’s Peace Treaty and cooperating groups, 1971-72

       47.     Petition for Detroit elected Director of Peace Priorities, 1967

       48.     Press Relations Network, 1969

       49.     Socialist campaign and activities, 1970, 1972

       50.     Strategy Action Conference, 1970

       51.     Students for a Democratic Society, n.d.

       52.     Students for a Democratic Society; Fire, 1969

       53.     Vietnam Peace Parade, 1971-72

       54.     The War Control “Pill” Society, n.d.

       55.     Women Strike for Peace; Detroit chapter, 1969

To containers

 

Series III

Newsletters

Boxes 4-5

 

 

This series consists of newsletters from various organizations, colleges and universities, the content of which pertains to the peace and anti-war movement.  The files are arranged alphabetically by title of the newsletter.  They cover the years 1969-1973.

 

 

4-Box Newsletters

 

        1.     Bulletin, Worker’s League, 1970-71

        2.     Civil Liberties, ACLU, Jul 1972

        3.     Fifth Estate, 1969, 1971, 1973

        4.     Gay Liberator, Mar-Jun 1973

        5.     The Guardian, 1971-1972

        6.     Guild Practitioner, National Lawyers Guild, summer 1972

        7.     Helping Hand, 1972-73

        8.     Indochina Chronicle, 1972-73

        9.     Intercontinental Press, 1969-70, 1972

       10.     International Socialist Review, 1970-71, 1973

       11.     Lewis-McChord Free Press, Mar 1971

 

 

5-Box Newsletters

         

        1.     Militant, 1970-73

        2.     The Phoenix, 1971

        3.     Quaker Service, fall 1972

        4.     St. Paul Pioneer Press, 22 Jun 1971

        5.     The South End, 10 Apr 1972

        6.     South Vietnam in Struggle, 15 Jul 1969

        7.     Thoi-Bao-Ga, Oct 1970

        8.     USLA Reporter, Mar-Jun 1972

        9.     The Vanguard, 5 Mar 1971

       10.     Vietnam Courier, 6 Oct 1969

       11.     Willamette Bridge, 4-10 Mar 1971

       12.     Young Socialist, May 1969

       13.     The Young Socialist Organizer, 10 Jun 1970

 

To containers

Series IV

National Peace Action Coalition

Box 6

 

 

This series contains correspondence, flyers, leaflets, agenda, reports and notes pertaining to the National Peace Action Coalition.  The files are arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material, chronologically where necessary, and chronologically within each folder.  This series covers the years 1970-1973.

 

 

6-Box National Peace Action Coalition

 

        1.     Affiliates, 1971-72

        2.     Convention; first, agenda, 1970

        3.     Convention; first, mailings, 1970

        4.     Convention; first, proposals, 1970

        5.     Convention; second, agenda, 1970

        6.     Convention; second, mailings, 1970

        7.     Convention; second, proposals, 1970

        8.     Convention; third, preparations, 1971

        9.     Convention; fourth, agenda, 1971

       10.     Convention; fourth, preparations, 1971

       11.     Convention; fourth, proposals, 1971

       12.     Convention; fifth, agenda, 1972

       13.     Convention; fifth, preparations, 1972

       14.     Convention, fifth, proposals, 1972

       15.     Education Task Force mailings, 1972

       16.     Endorsers, 1971-1972

       17.     Factsheets, [c. 1971-72]

       18.     Financial reports, 1970-72

       19.     Ruth Gage-Colby testimonial dinner, 20 Jan 1972

       20.     GI’s and veterans, 17 Jun 1972

       21.     Julius Hobson testimonial, 14 Nov 1972

       22.     House Internal Security Committee, May 1971

       23.     International correspondence, 1972

       24.     Lafferty’s notes, 1970-72

       25.     Mailings; after the founding convention, summer 1970

       26.     Mailings; after 2nd convention-24 Apr 1971

       27.     Mailings; after 24 Apr 1971

       28.     Press coverage, 1970-72

       29.     Press releases, 1971-72

       30.     Relations; The Guardian, 14 May 1971

       31.     Relations; NCAWRR, PCPJ, and 22 Apr Coalition, 1971-72

       32.     Relations; Vietnam Veterans Against the War, 1971

       33.     Speakers and speeches, 1971-72

       34.     Steering Committee, 1970-72

       35.     Steering Committee’s Coordinating Committee, 1971-72

       36.     Tour; Asia, 1971

       37.     Tour; Canada, 1972

       38.     Tour; national, Lafferty and Gordon, 1971

       39.     Tour; west coast, 1971

40.     Tour; west coast, Lafferty, 1971

 

 

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Index

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Bluestone, Irving, 2:5

 

CAPAC, 1:13

 

Conyers, John, 1:15

 

Ferency, Zolton, 1:10

 

Haessler, Carl, 1:11

 

Mazey, Emil, 2:4

 

NPAC, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 2:4

 

Ravitz, Mel, 1:9

 

Student Mobilization Committee, 1:11, 1:12

 

Vaughn, Jackie, 1:15

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