The Negro People in the Struggle for Peace and Freedom: Report to the 15th Convention, Communist Party

New York: New Century Publishers, 1951. Octavo pamphlet; 23 pages; 19 cm. Damp-stained and damp-rippled. About good(-) to acceptable. Paperback.

"Benjamin Jefferson Davis Jr. (1903–1964) was an African American lawyer and communist political leader. He is best known for his role in the Civil Rights Congress and his defense of African American civil rights. Born in Dawson, Georgia, Davis attended Morehouse College and later Harvard Law School, where he was one of the few African American students. After graduating, he moved to New York City and became involved in left-wing politics, joining the Communist Party USA. In 1943, Davis was elected to the New York City Council as a representative of Harlem, making him one of the first communists to hold public office in the United States. In 1949, Davis was one of the defendants in the famous Smith Act trials, in which several leaders of the Communist Party USA were accused of advocating the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. Davis represented himself in court and used the trial to make a powerful statement about civil rights and political freedom. He was convicted and served several years in prison. After his release, Davis continued to be active in the Communist Party and the civil rights movement. He died in 1964." // .Communism -- United States. Noirs américains -- Droits. Communisme -- États-Unis. African Americans -- Civil rights. Communism.