FBI investigation of a tip that Martin Luther King will be staying at the Statler Hotel for a night. Attached is an additional action item outlining authorization for microphone surveillance.
FBI investigation of Lead on MLK's whereabouts, focusing on a dinner in his honor at Western Michigan University (WMU) and his airline flights to and from Michigan.
Information furnished by an informant detailing the National Lawyers Guild’s involvement in Mississippi to assist with legal representation of Black Americans, and other demonstrators, during Civil Rights protests and actions. Also contains an article from the Michigan Chronicle which details a national conference that took place in Detroit, which focused on how lawyers could further assist demonstrators in the South.
This is a brief memo regarding surveillance of Pauli Murray. Murray contacted the FBI about possible protection on her return trips home to North Carolina, as she always encountered “racial animosity” and was worried about experiencing violence. The Bureau then pulled her file to see what indices they already had on the Murray. The memo details previous surveillance on her and her activism.
Investigative report on information furnished by an informant detailing the plans of a Tommy Dennis, and other groups within the Detroit area, to attend the National Negro Commission in New York City.
This document covers informant surveillance of Tommy Dennis, organizational secretary of the Michigan District Communist Party, during a conference on August 1, 1964. It details Dennis’s speech on the Civil Rights Movement and the CPUSA’s efforts to restore its influence, as well as conference proposals on organizing a Civil Rights Conference, training political candidates on CPUSA positions, and recruitment strategies.
This document covers informant surveillance of Tommy Dennis, organizational secretary of the Michigan District Communist Party, during a conference on August 1, 1964. It details Dennis’s speech on the Civil Rights Movement and the CPUSA’s efforts to restore its influence, as well as conference proposals on organizing a Civil Rights Conference, training political candidates on CPUSA positions, and recruitment strategies.
This document is information regarding an undisclosed target from Detroit, who was a member of the Michigan Communist Party, attempting travel to Chicago to attend a National Trade Union and Negro Commission meeting.
Document contains information on a picketing demonstration that occurred outside of the Banner Supermarket in Detroit on February 6th, 1964. This demonstration was led by youth and staged by the NAACP and the Barbour Community Student Movement (Barbour Junior High School) to protest discrimination. One of the undisclosed subjects of the surveillance had supposed ties to the Communist Party.
This document is a detailed profile of George W. Crockett which includes his physical appearance, family history, marital status, occupation, and history counseling Communist party members. Details were furnished by the Atlanta FBI Field Office and the U.S. Department of State Passport Office.
This document highlights the use of a highly protected informant reporting on a conversation between CPUSA leaders Gus Hall and Hyman Lumer in New York City. The discussion covered key topics related to the Civil Rights Movement and the CPUSA, including the perspectives of Black members, the March on Washington, and membership trends in California.
This excerpt from an FBI report investigates the rise of "Anti-American" ideologies among Black Americans and their solidarity with other oppressed groups globally, especially in Japan. This excerpt in particular focuses on Detroit. It compiles information on prominent Black and communist leaders, employment organizations, school and housing issues, and racial tensions. While some pages are illegible, the document provides insight into local conditions and attitudes before the launch of COINTELPRO, serving as foundational groundwork for later surveillance initiatives.
61-pages from the FBI’s Survey of Racial Conditions in the United States, a collection of 1940s surveillance findings from the FBI’s 56 Field Offices, highlighting the sentiments of the Black community and Black organizations, particularly as it pertains to the nation’s war efforts and towards the U.S. The selected 61-pages pertain to Detroit and the Detroit FBI Field Offices surveillance. Surveillance targets include several suspected communists, communist front organizations, and publications. While the study was purportedly not meant to give rise to “interference” or label the Black community as “subversive”, this type of surveillance laid the groundwork for future surveillance and destabilization that occurred during COINTELPRO. Same scan as FBI_100.
This section of the RACON report examines the impact of Japanese influence on Black Americans, the "Pacific Movement" across the Eastern world, the Peace Movement in Ethiopia, and organizations such as the Ethiopian Pacific Movement, Moorish Science Temple, and African Moslem Welfare Society. It highlights the connections between international movements and Black American groups in the United States.
22-pages from the FBI’s Survey of Racial Conditions in the United States, a collection of 1940s surveillance findings from the FBI’s 56 Field Offices, highlighting the sentiments of the Black community and Black organizations, particularly as it pertains to the nation’s war efforts and towards the U.S. The selected 22-pages pertain to Detroit and the Detroit FBI Field Offices surveillance. Surveillance targets highlighted include Black press and publications, such as the Michigan Chronicle, as well as emerging Japanese & Black coalitions, such as The Development of Our Own. While the study was purportedly not meant to give rise to “interference” or label the Black community as “subversive”, this type of surveillance laid the groundwork for future surveillance and destabilization that occurred during COINTELPRO. Similar scans to FBI_101, but has the inclusion of sections on the Negro Press.
This document is a follow-up on the Banner Supermarket protest by Barbour Junior High students, identifying teacher Barry Kalish as a key figure. The Detroit News reported Kalish was on trial for allegedly “brainwashing” students into protesting, with his defense led by George Crockett, another subject of FBI surveillance.
Internal memo sent to Special Agent and Assistant to J. Edgar Hoover, D.M. Ladd, regarding the FBI’s Survey of Racial Condition Reports (RACON) on racial unrest and agitation across the United States. Several members of the Catholic Church, such as Bishop John Joseph O’Hara, are listed as possible sources of information for the FBI in drafting of these reports.
This document provides a full transcript of Stokely Carmichael’s speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 17, 1967. Carmichael sharply criticizes the United States for its treatment of Black and brown people domestically and abroad, focusing on systemic injustices, the anti-war movement, Vietnam involvement, and broader struggles faced by Black Americans, with references to other Black Power and Civil Rights leaders.
This 72-page unedited transcript records Stokely Carmichael’s March 30, 1968 speech at Western Michigan University. Carmichael addresses historical and ongoing oppression in the United States, advocates for Black power and collective action both nationally and globally, and references prominent figures and organizations. The document also includes a Q&A session with the audience.
Surveillance of a demonstration by the Charles Thomas, Jr. Direct Action Committee at the University of Michigan administration building, Ann Arbor (U-M), protesting hiring practices.
Brief published by the UPA American Studies (formerly of LexisNexis, now part of ProQuest) discussing the history of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers.
