Central Intelligence Agency. "Memorandum for: Chief, SR Staff -
Subject: Project Merrimack." 1967.
Microfiche: #1979-346E
Date Issued: August 8, 1967
Date Declassified: [No declassification date]
Length: 4 pages
Sanitized
 FULL TEXT
8 August 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, SA Staff
SUBJECT : Project MERRIMACK
1. Attached herewith are publications and other literature
which were covertly procured from organizations of interest to us.
(Exhibit "A") Also attached are the names and addresses of 147
people to whom Dagmar Wilson of the Women Strike for Peace sent
the International newsletter of WSP - The Memo. (Exhibit "B")
This publication for your additional information, is issued at least
once a month and discusses the range of WSP activities around the
country and in conjunction with other women's and peace groups
throughout the world.
2. Periodic covert monitoring of the following indicator
organizations has been in effect since our memorandum dated 11 July 1967.
SNCC WPC
CORE WSP
As you are aware, during the period 26 through July 1967,
assets were directed toward possible civil disturbances
emanating as a result of SNCC leader H. Rap Brown's activities
and volatile speeches. Per instructions from the Director of
Security, the results of the covert coverage were
transmitted directly to the security officer on a timely basis. A
number of license plates were ascertained during the conduct of
these exercises and the subscribers to some are currently under
investigation by this office and the results of our inquiries will be
forwarded to you immediately upon receipt.
3. It should be further noted that of your
Staff has been periodically regarding the indicator organizations and
there has been, thus far to the best of our assets
knowledge, no covert indicators of any possible demonstrations and/or
activities directed toward the Agency or any of its local installations.
4. On 18 July 1967, one of assets attended
a peace rally on the southwest grounds of the Washington Monument.
The rally was in support of Minister Mohammed Ali aka Cassius
Clay, the former heavyweight champion. According to our source,
the rally was orderly and Mr. Herb Kelsey, the Director of the
Washington Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam, was in charge of
the meeting, introducing the speakers and making various remarks
after each speaker had delivered his or her message. He read a
message from Clay to the crowd of approximately 275 to
300 people, thanking, in substance, the people for their support and
informing them that he was unable to attend the rally due to previous
commitments in Chicago. Detailed below are brief, pertinent
comments of the various speakers at the rally which have been related by our source.
Michael Learles - Community Organizer, Washington, D.C.
Learles stated that Minister Mohammed Ali had set an example by
refusing to enter the Army and that we must follow and resist at
all cost.
Dagmar Wilson - Founder of Women Strike for Peace
"He is one of the great heroes of our time. The action that Minister
Mohammed Ali has taken may turn the course of history. He deserves
two Nobel Prizes. He is an example for all of us to follow."
Ray Robinson, Jr. - Community Organizer, Washington, D.C.
Ray Robinson is a former fighter and at present is head of Soul
Sessions, Incorporated. He stated that the slow pace of negro progress
had discredited nonviolence and peaceful protest. "We ain't marching and
sitting down in the road anymore, this ain't getting us anywhere. We have
to get to the people and talk to them. Get out and knock on doors and talk
to the people. I was in the Navy but I resigned, if you know what I mean.
I fought a lot of bouts overseas, in Germany and everywhere, white guys,
all kinds, but you know one thing, they wouldn't let me fight a white
fellow down in Mississippi. Funny thing ain't it? Mohammed Ali is an
example for all black people to follow. I say to the draft. I won't go,
hell no I won't go."
Reginald Booker - (Not listed on program)
Introduced by Herb Kelsey [organizer of the demonstration and Director
of the Washington Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam] as head of a
newly formed group in the Anacostia area known as "Niggers Inc." Booker
urged negro women to have as many children as possible "so many good
black men were being killed in Vietnam. Have as many as you can in any
way that you can."
Marrion Barry - Head SNCC (Not on Program)
Supported the previous speaker very strongly for negro women to have
more children. "We must give our full support to Mohammed Ali. I won't
go, hell no I won't go." He asked the negro men, "How many of you out
there won't go?" All of the negroes that I saw raised their hands. At
this time, Barry said, "Don't raise your hands, stand up so everybody
can see you, hell no we won't go."
Robert Greenblatt - Professor of Mathematics
"I am a former professor of mathematics, that was before I became a
drop-out." Greenblatt urged all white college students to drop-out of
school so as not to be a part of draft deferments which discriminate
against negroes who are too poor to get a higher education. "Take a
few courses, but not enough to qualify as a full-time student and be
deferred. You have better things to do."
Omar Abu Ahmed - New York East Side CORE
"Support Mohammed Ali, he is a symbol of the black man in this country
today. Follow in his footsteps, hell no we won't go. You the black women
of this country, you have done a good job, but this is not enough, you
have children and have all you can. Don't be taken in by this birth
control stuff, this is the white mans' way to control the negro population.
We have to be strong, and strength ties in great numbers. Increase the
negro population. If we aren't there we can't win.
"The violence in Newark was started by the white power structure in
order to prevent a national conference on black power from being held
there. This is a power struggle, remember there are black CIA men, FBI
men and policemen. We know who killed Malcolm X - it was the CIA, we
know this."
"There will be a nuclear st[r]ike one of these days in this country
between the white and the black and we are going to win. All these wars,
you notice, aren't against the white race. It's the yellow race and here
at home the black race. Why didn't they drop the atomic bomb on Hitler?
No. they had to do it against the Japanese people. The Chinese people
haven't done anything to us, but all you hear is the Chinese Reds."
"I have visited Newark. Philadelphia and Washington. I am on my way to see
Adam (Adam Clayton Powell) and I will give him a full report. He is another
victim of the white mans' laws. Black power will prevail."
6. Additional information developed reveals that
of WSP continues to be very actively engaged with the
group of Northern Virginians recently organized as the "Virginia's
Citizens for Peace in Vietnam." Our source at WSP has been told
that is a "heavy" contributor to the WSP.
7. The aforementioned organizations will continue to be
periodically monitored and any significant information which is as-
certained will be brought to your attention immediately.
Chief
Special Activities Division
Attachments:
Exhibit A & B
00339
40.3
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