police terror in harlem

New York: Harlem Defense Council, [1964]. 5 ½ x 8 ½ in. Offset. Saddle stapled in photo illustrated wraps. 12 pp. Black-and-white photographs and leaflet reproductions throughout.

A detailed account of the police occupation of Harlem during the spring and summer of 1964. Special focus is given to the assault and arrest of the Harlem Six, the murder of 15-year old James Powell by Lt. Thomas Gilligan, and the arrest of Progressive Labor Movement organizer Bill Epton. 

The Harlem Six was a group of young men who were beaten and arrested during the early stages of the uprising and then re-arrested a week later, this time on charges of murder. Defended by civil rights attorneys William Kunstler and Conrad Lynn, five of the six would eventually have their charges dismissed after spending nearly a decade in prison. One man, Robert Rice, was found guilty and remains in prison today. In a further miscarriage of justice, though Lt. Gilligan would receive no jail time for the murder of James Powell, the organizer Bill Epton was charged with conspiring to riot and advocating criminal anarchy. Later in Epton’s trial, it would be revealed that a wired informant had taped much of his organizing efforts and private conversations. 

Very good. Small annotation in ink to top fore edge of front wrapper and small Spartacist stamp on inside rear wrapper. Otherwise clean and tight. A scarce record of the 1964 police occupation and popular uprising.