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Student demonstrations correspondence, 1965

Memo from John W. Lemmon Page 6a

Communists Played Leading Roles In the Recent Viet Nam Protests
By FULTON LEWIS JR.

Confidential government reports disclose that hard-core members of the Communist conspiracy played leading roles in the recent weekend protests against American policy in South Viet Nam.
The demonstrations were the handi-work of the Viet Nam Day Committee, a California group that coordinated protests here and abroad. A government report says the Viet Nam Day Committee is backed by the Communist Party, U.S.A., the Trotskyite Socialist Workers party, and the pro-Peking Progressive Labor party.
A New York parade was staged by radical leftists as part of the worldwide protest. Organizers of the demonstration included Henry Abrams, an identified Communist who has invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned by Senate probers; Clifton Deberry,an official of the subversive Socialist Workers party; and Levi Laub, a wheelhorse in the revolutionary Progressive Labor party.
Government sources quote MikeStein, organizational secretary of the New York district of the Communist party, as urging maximum participation in the Fifth Avenue parade.
In a recent speech California Congressman H. Allen Smith charged that the Communist party had played a "sinister role" in the Vietnamese protests. As far back as March, 1964, he revealed, the party's national headquarters in New York sent to all districts a directive entitled, "The United States and South Viet Nam Developments."
Party members were instructed to bombard President Johnson with telegrams demanding surrender, to organize protest meetings and picket lines, and to infiltrate non-Communist peace groups. Congressman Smith, a former FBI agent, adds:
"Since that date, the party's pressure has been relentless and unceasing. After President Johnson ordered air bombardment of North Viet Nam military targets, Communist leaders worked frantically to encourage rallies, demonstrations and teach-ins."
Party functionaries participated in an Easter march on Washington. They included the party's public relations director, Arnold Johnson, and the national youth director, Mike Zagarell.
Members of the W.E.B. DuBoisClubs, the party youth front, were brought to Washington for a massive August demonstration protesting against American intervention in South Viet Nam. Local DuBois Clubs have been active throughout the country in peace efforts.
Rep. Smith reports that Communist party leaders are "overjoyed" at the success of recent protests. "From the party's point of view, these demonstrations will greatly aid its agitation and the propaganda campaign," he says.
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Communists Played Leading Roles In the Recent Viet Nam Protests By FULTON LEWIS JR. Confidential government reports disclose that hard-core members of the Communist conspiracy played leading roles in the recent weekend protests against American policy in South Viet Nam. The demonstrations were the handi-work of the Viet Nam Day Committee, a California group that coordinated protests here and abroad. A government report says the Viet Nam Day Committee is backed by the Communist Party, U.S.A., the Trotskyite Socialist Workers party, and the pro-Peking Progressive Labor party. A New York parade was staged by radical leftists as part of the worldwide protest. Organizers of the demonstration included Henry Abrams, an identified Communist who has invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned by Senate probers; Clifton Deberry,an official of the subversive Socialist Workers party; and Levi Laub, a wheelhorse in the revolutionary Progressive Labor party. Government sources quote MikeStein, organizational secretary of the New York district of the Communist party, as urging maximum participation in the Fifth Avenue parade. In a recent speech California Congressman H. Allen Smith charged that the Communist party had played a "sinister role" in the Vietnamese protests. As far back as March, 1964, he revealed, the party's national headquarters in New York sent to all districts a directive entitled, "The United States and South Viet Nam Developments." Party members were instructed to bombard President Johnson with telegrams demanding surrender, to organize protest meetings and picket lines, and to infiltrate non-Communist peace groups. Congressman Smith, a former FBI agent, adds: "Since that date, the party's pressure has been relentless and unceasing. After President Johnson ordered air bombardment of North Viet Nam military targets, Communist leaders worked frantically to encourage rallies, demonstrations and teach-ins." Party functionaries participated in an Easter march on Washington. They included the party's public relations director, Arnold Johnson, and the national youth director, Mike Zagarell. Members of the W.E.B. DuBoisClubs, the party youth front, were brought to Washington for a massive August demonstration protesting against American intervention in South Viet Nam. Local DuBois Clubs have been active throughout the country in peace efforts. Rep. Smith reports that Communist party leaders are "overjoyed" at the success of recent protests. "From the party's point of view, these demonstrations will greatly aid its agitation and the propaganda campaign," he says. ***