Jewish Groups Back N.a.a.c.p. ; Join in Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

Fourteen major organizations today intervened with the United States Supreme Court in defense of the constitutional right of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to enjoy freedom of association. The 14 groups came to the support of the NAACP by filing a “friends of the court” brief in a case entitled NAACP and the State of Alabama which the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review during its current term.

The brief was submitted by Leo Pfeffer, director of the Commission on Law and Social Action of the American Jewish Congress, who is serving as attorney for the following organizations American Baptist Convention, Commission on Christian Social Progress; American Civil Liberties Union; American Friends Service Committee; American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress; American Veterans Committee; Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith; Board of Home Missions of the Congregational and Christian Churches Council for Christian Social Action of the United Church of Christ; Japanese American Citizens League; Jewish Labor Committee; National Community Relations Advisory Council United Synagogue of America; and Workers Defense League.

Voicing their deep concern at the State of Alabama’s “assault on freedom of association “the organizations declared: “Today it is the NAACP that is subjected to attack. Tomorrow the same measures may be taken against any group that supports a cause opposed by state officials. “

The case is an appeal to the high court by the NAACP to review the decision of an Alabama circuit court handed down in July, 1956 which fined the Association $100, 000 and held it in contempt of court because the NAACP refused to turn over a list of its Alabama members. The NAACP feared that publication of its membership records would subject its members to boycott and physical violence.