George Lincoln Rockwell, self-styled “commander” of the American Nazi Party, injected himself today into the explosive “Freedom Rider” situation that has resulted in martial law in Montgomery, Alabama, by attempting to use the situation for propaganda against Jews and against integrationists.
Rockwell sent 12 of his stormtroopers this morning from his headquarters at Arlington, Virginia, announcing that they will go on to New Orleans, and demanding that Attorney General Robert Kennedy provide his cohorts with “protection from Jew and Negro hoodlums. ” In a telegram to Mr. Kennedy, Rockwell said “we are sending a hate bus full of Nazis to urge respect for law and legal organizational efforts to preserve the white. Christian republic established by our forefathers. “
Justice Department officials said today that, while they deplore Rockwell’s “intrusion” into the explosive situation, there was nothing the Federal Government could do to halt Rockwell’s Nazi tour. However, Alabama’s Attorney General MacDonald Gallion warned Rockwell to “steer clear” of Alabama, stating he was “unwelcome” there.
Meanwhile, Arlington County authorities announced adoption of a strict ordinance requiring solicitors to be photographed and fingerprinted and to establish “good character and business respectability” with Commonwealth Attorney William J. Hassan, pointing out that, without such legal machinery, the American Nazi Party would be allowed “free rein to go from door to door in Arlington, soliciting memberships. ” Mr. Hassan said the Nazi group would not be granted a permit for solicitation under the “good character and business respectability” clause of the new ordinance.
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.
