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Nazis and Jews Clash in Los Angeles Outside of a Pro-israel Meeting

April 30, 1963
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Four members of the American Nazi party were under arrest here today after a free-for-all battle outside a meeting here last night marking Israel’s 15th anniversary. Ten persons were injured in the fracas, which, police said, was started when the Nazis, who were picketing the meeting, clubbed a Jewish man. The injured included the four Nazis, four policemen and two Jews.

Guests inside the Shrine Auditorium here, where the meeting was being held, were unaware of the battle outside between pickets, police and bystanders, which lasted for 10 minutes. Among the celebrities who were entertaining at the meeting were comedian Jack Benny, Israeli film star Ziva Rodann, and actress Kathryn Grayson.

One of the police officers, George Raines, said that when be arrived on the scene he saw two of the Nazis kicking a policeman who was lying on the ground. “The other Nazis were swinging at people on the sidewalk who were waiting to enter the auditorium,” he declared. He said the Nazis, who wore swastika armbands, carried anti-Jewish signs. The four arrested Nazis were identified as Leonard Holstein, Lyle McLaughlin, William Krauss and Marvin Reeves. A fifth Nazi escaped during the scuffle.

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