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Story
September 18, 1936
The Gary American
Gary, Lake County, Indiana
What is this article about?
Cleveland's Boydston Post of the American Legion protests the national organization's mandate for segregated activities at the 1936 convention, opting to self-fund integrated plans after overruling local opposition to Jim Crow policies.
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PROTEST PLANS TO "JIM-CROW" NEGRO DELEGATES AT CON.
National Committee Hands Adverse Ruling--Insist on Separate Activities Committee
CLEVELAND, Ohio-(ANP-Cleveland war veterans and members of the Boydston Post, American Legion are protesting the action of the National American Legion, in sending its ruling back to Cleveland that if the colored members of the Post are to accept funds for the forthcoming Legion convention they must have a separate colored activities committee.
This ruling coming from the national body to the American Legion 1936 National Convention executive committee here, has cast a damper on the plans of the local post, composed of Cleveland's colored war veterans. It also nullifies the successful protest of Harry J. Walker, past commander of the colored Lemuel T. Boydston Post 94, at Sandusky in 1934, as a result of which the Ohio Legion convention ruled out any effort to segregate or put aside any race at the Ohio meeting.
Overruled By National Body
The Cuyahoga county Council of the American Legion, by motion, asked the local convention corporation, according to reports, to take this matter up with the national body. The convention corporation stood with Boydston. Post on the matter, but was overruled by the national body.
Local veterans say that several years ago when the national body met in Portland, Oregon, a resolution was put through, making it mandatory for national Couventions to set up colored activities. They say the resolution was put over easily because not many colored Legionaires attended this convention.
Clevelanders Register Protest
Officers of Boydston Post, following the Oregon meeting, informed Vic McKensie, contact man for the national organization, that the Cleveland vote would not accept any such Jim Crow plan, and the situation which has just arisen has created an uproar so far as the colored members are concerned. They are standing their ground, however and are being supported in their protest by the Cuyahoga county council of the Legion.
Post Going Through With Plans
Boydston Post has decided therefore, to do their own job at their own expense. its members having voted they would have nothing to do with a segregation setup in Cleveland.
National Committee Hands Adverse Ruling--Insist on Separate Activities Committee
CLEVELAND, Ohio-(ANP-Cleveland war veterans and members of the Boydston Post, American Legion are protesting the action of the National American Legion, in sending its ruling back to Cleveland that if the colored members of the Post are to accept funds for the forthcoming Legion convention they must have a separate colored activities committee.
This ruling coming from the national body to the American Legion 1936 National Convention executive committee here, has cast a damper on the plans of the local post, composed of Cleveland's colored war veterans. It also nullifies the successful protest of Harry J. Walker, past commander of the colored Lemuel T. Boydston Post 94, at Sandusky in 1934, as a result of which the Ohio Legion convention ruled out any effort to segregate or put aside any race at the Ohio meeting.
Overruled By National Body
The Cuyahoga county Council of the American Legion, by motion, asked the local convention corporation, according to reports, to take this matter up with the national body. The convention corporation stood with Boydston. Post on the matter, but was overruled by the national body.
Local veterans say that several years ago when the national body met in Portland, Oregon, a resolution was put through, making it mandatory for national Couventions to set up colored activities. They say the resolution was put over easily because not many colored Legionaires attended this convention.
Clevelanders Register Protest
Officers of Boydston Post, following the Oregon meeting, informed Vic McKensie, contact man for the national organization, that the Cleveland vote would not accept any such Jim Crow plan, and the situation which has just arisen has created an uproar so far as the colored members are concerned. They are standing their ground, however and are being supported in their protest by the Cuyahoga county council of the Legion.
Post Going Through With Plans
Boydston Post has decided therefore, to do their own job at their own expense. its members having voted they would have nothing to do with a segregation setup in Cleveland.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Social Manners
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Segregation Protest
American Legion
Jim Crow
Cleveland Veterans
1936 Convention
What entities or persons were involved?
Harry J. Walker
Vic Mckensie
Boydston Post
Where did it happen?
Cleveland, Ohio
Story Details
Key Persons
Harry J. Walker
Vic Mckensie
Boydston Post
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Event Date
1936
Story Details
Cleveland war veterans from Boydston Post protest the national American Legion's ruling requiring a separate colored activities committee for the 1936 convention, refusing segregation and deciding to fund their own plans, supported by local council.