The seriousness of the Nazi situation in America was described by Edgar H. Burman, commanderin-chief of the Minute Men, in an address at the initial organization meeting of the Bronx Post of the Minute Men at the Synagogue of the Hebrew Children’s Home, 3159 Grand Concourse, the Bronx.
Burman urged the youth to act in the present situation. He said older folks have failed. He warned that the number of adherents to the Nazi organizations in America exceed in number the Army, Navy and National Guard forces.
“We must build up a strong organization and build it up fast,” Burman declared.
Alvin Brownson, commander of the Manhattan Legion, said: “This organization is established for the purpose of protecting Jewish rights throughout the United States. We do not advocate violence but if necessary we shall meet our adversaries in physical combat. Every intelligent, fairminded American will be on our side,” Brownson stated.
“We are one hundred per cent American non-political and have no communistic elements in our organization,” he concluded. Brownson is a former amateur weight lifter and proprietor of a gymnasium.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.