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Non-Violence and the Harlem Riots

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Non-Violence and the Harlem Riots Then I spoke and urged non-violence. I was booed, applauded and then booed again. I appealed for 100 men to join Bayard Rustin me in the streets and work non-violently " to end the brutality toward all men." When. the meeting ended, I rose to leave the church and was surrounded by a Non-violence and hostile group intent on beating me. From the audience came 75 men who moved in to protect me without violence. the Harlem riots The hostile group scattered. That night and for three succeeding nights, those 75 men walked in danger through the streets and were responsible for helping many persons and saving many lives. Some were beaten, as I was, for advocating non-violence, but only one deserted. And so, reliving those four nights of terror and ugliness, I become more dedi­ cated to non-vblence, for I see clearly how resort to violence dehumanises all who are caught up in its whirlpool. Peace News August 14 1964 Reading list on Non-Violence and other materials available from AFSC REGIONAL OFFICES Cambridge 38, Mass. Houston 4, Texas 44-A Brattle St. 4 717 Crawford St. P .O. Box 247 * New York 11, N. Y. Chicago 5, ill. Suite 220 431 So. Dearborn St. 2 W. 20th St. Dayton 6, Ohio Pasadena 3, Calif. 915 Salem Ave. P .O. Box 991 (980 N . Fair Oaks Ave.) Des Moines 12, Iowa 4211 Grand Ave. Philadelphia 2, Pa. 1500 Race St. High Point, N. C. San Francisco 21, Calif. 1818 S. Main St. 2160 Lake St. P.O. Box 1307 Portland Program Office, Seattle 5, Wash. 4312 S.E. Stark St. 814 N.E. 40th St. Portland, Ore. or Reprinted by the 160 N. 15th St., Philadel phia 2, Pa. National Peace Literature Service of THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE The American Friends Service Committee Cover drawing by Charlotte Meacham from sketches of The March on Washington, 1963 From dusk till dawn for four nights dur­ home and report his behaviour to his ing the tragic event called the Harlem father, beat a woman to the ground riot, I walked the streets with a team mercilessly. When I urged him to stop, of 75 boys and men. We took the be turned on me. injured to CORE's first aid station or to On the other hand, I saw a Negro the hospital. We dispersed crowds. We churchwoman help to blockade a street did what we could to protect women and to stop a white taxi driver. After her children and had some minor success in sons had beaten him almost to uncon­ urging police who had arrested innocent sciousness, she helped them to rob him, people to free them - especially when leaving him in great agony on the street. doing so contributed to crowd dis­ Thus on those nights I saw violence persal. degrade on every side. I heard men The experiences of those four terrible who usually talk reasonably demand that nights has deepened my faith in non­ youth be given guns to shoot "police and violence and I should like to share with uncle toms." you some of my thoughts ten days We pacifists urge non-violence because later. if change toward justice is to take place, We pacifists maintain that the law of it must be in an atmosphere where ends and means does, in fact, operate. creative conflict and debate are possible. Never was this more clearly illustrated. Wherever great force is used - and I am Most of the people who engaged in dis­ certain from what I saw that the force order were youths between 18 and 25. used by police was far more than neces­ They are the unemployed, the forgotten, sary to maintain order - it is used to the poorest of the poor - without hope support the status quo and not to en· and with no faith in a society which has courage real debate and creative con­ doomed them to utter despair. It is flict. they who are forced to live by their wits, The riot has not encouraged real debate : seeking out a living by gambling, selling it has given strength to the supporters numbers or dope and sometimes selling of reaction. It has brought an injunc­ themselves. tion against certain groups. It has led They revolted in the only way left to to the police commissioner's tempor­ them. They would make society listen. arily prohibiting rallies in the name of Like a child in an attention-seeking law and order. It has brought division tantrum, they resorted to violence in a of leadership where unity was needed if loud outcry of despair. non-violent campaigns for justice are to We pacifists claim that social progress be pursued. It has confused many young must spring from social justice. In people. It has left the powers-that-be their ugly way, these youths were ex­ in a position to call for " law and order " pressing what we, by non-violent resist­ for protection of white people - a very ance, believe. If society will not remove false position since the riot was economic the slums and give them work and rather than basically r acial. dignity, they will cry out again. Perhaps the most important lesson We pacifists assert that violence degrades all who become involved in it. How I learned from this experience is that true! I know many police officers in non-violence is relevant to a degree - Harlem by name and many more by even when fear, brutality a nd violence sight and reputation. One of the saddest rage. On the second afternoon of the aspects of those nights was the fact that riot, I spoke at a big Harlem church. many police officers who are among the Several speakers preceded me, calling better-behaved, reacted with the greatest upon youth to use violence. One speaker fear and consequently with the most called for a Mau Mau, another for armed brutal conduct. I saw a white officer, resistance to police. Another said : " I who had once turned over to me a 15- want 100 men to leave this church with year-old thief on pledge that I take him me for guerilla warfare." .
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