From Stanley D. Levison
Author: Levison, Stanley D.
Date: November 1, 1961
Location: New York, N.Y.
Genre: Letter
Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Threats/attacks against
Martin Luther King, Jr. - Travels
Details
Levison, a Jewish lawyer from New York and a King advisor since late 1956, expresses concern after reading reports that King was heckled while speaking at a London rally.1 He also notes several administrative tasks that need King’s immediate attention.
Dear Martin,
I’m sorry I missed your call yesterday, but I was happy to know you returned safely. The New York Times in a small item reported you were heckled by a small group, and knowing that many of the British bigots are derived from facist elements, I was concerned about a possible use of violence against you. It was bizarre enough to have you attacked in the North by a Negro; it would be worse to have you injured in England by a hoodlum with a British accent.2
There are two items which need your immediate attention. Enclosed is a draft of the appeal letter I have written. If you have any corrections call me on the phone because to save time, we are having the printer start on it at once in order to get mail out as fast as humanly possible.3
Also enclosed is a letter drafted by Clarence to go on your stationery to the lawyers who have promised varied assistance which could be substantial if they feel you are aware of their contribution.4 This, too, should go out promptly. Have Dora send me a copy so we will know when to follow up.5
Jack [O’Dell] and I are contacted candidates for the Administrative Assistant job and/or Voting, Registration Director.6 Randy White is calling us today to set the time for an appointment.7 We are checking to get Twiddy’s address but have not yet obtained it.8 If you have it handy send it on, in any case. We are also trying to reach a young man who has been highly recommended from Chicago. He has a background in N.A.A.C.P. youth leadership work, was a founder of the N.S.A., U.N. employment, a masters from Spellman and is now completing his doctorate in Sociology.
I’ll be talking to you on the phone, so I won’t extend this letter any further. Take care of yourself—warmest and best regards.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Stan
SDL/ah
enclosures
SPECIAL DELIVERY—AIR MAIL
1. Shouts of “keep Britain white” and “go back to your own country” were heard during King’s hour-long address at a rally sponsored by Christian Action, a British group opposed to South African apartheid (“Britons Taunt Dr. King,” New York Times, 31 October 1961). While in London, King was interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (Interview by John Freeman on “Face to Face,” 29 October 1961).
2. Levison refers to King’s 20 September 1958 stabbing while in Harlem (see Introduction in Papers 4:34–35).
3. Levison, Draft, Letter to Friend, 1 November 1961. A fundraising appeal to support SCLC voter registration work, “Appeal for Human Dignity Now,” alternatively known as “Dollars for Dignity,” was sent on 11 November 1961 under King’s signature. The appeal had the support of labor unions that asked their members to make a minimum donation of one dollar to SCLC (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, “Contributions received on ‘Dollars for Dignity’ campaign of SCLC,” 15 March–16 March 1962).
4. Levison refers to King’s lawyer and advisor Clarence B. Jones (Jones, Draft, King to Harry H. Wachtel, 1 November 1961). In a 2 November 1961 letter, King thanked lawyers Eugene Cotton and Richard Watt for their work on a countersuit in the Alabama libel cases against Ralph Abernathy, Fred L. Shuttlesworth, S. S. Seay, and Joseph Lowery. The countersuit, which sought an injunction against legal harassment by the Montgomery city government, was unsuccessful. King also sent a 7 November letter to lawyer Harry H. Wachtel soliciting his support (pp. 325–327 in this volume).
5. McDonald to Levison, 2 November 1961.
6. New York journalist Gould Maynard was hired as both the administrative assistant and public relations director in January 1962, while O’Dell became SCLC’s acting director of voter registration.
7. Randy White had expressed interest in SCLC’s public relations position (Shirley Cummings to King, 18 September 1961).
8. John C. Twitty was an editor for Ebony and the New York Amsterdam News, among other publications.
Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954–1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass.