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Major Jewish Organizations in Mt. Vernon Condemn ‘core’ Official

February 10, 1966
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A joint statement issued here today by the Westchester County chapters of three major Jewish organizations sharply attacked the anti-Semitic statements voiced here by Clifford A. Brown, local educational committee chairman for the Congress of Racial Equality.

Brown, addressing some Jewish participants, had stated during a meeting of the Mount Vernon School Board, where school integration was being discussed: “Hitler had made one mistake when he didn’t kill enough of you.” Later, Brown, a Negro, apologized publicly for his remark, and resigned from CORE. James Farmer, CORE national director, announced that his office is making a full investigation of Brown’s outburst. Mr. Farmer also said that Brown’s resignation was “a fine idea.”

The three Jewish organisations criticized Brown’s remarks as “a deviation from decency.” Conceding the community’s frustration over the local civil rights issues, the statement declared that Brown’s attitude “must earn him the condemnation of all people of good will.” Joining in the statement were the local chapters of the American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.

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