The President of the Historic March on Washington Movement Thanks Supporter </i>

Book Description

1pg. 8 ‰ˆ" x 11". June 18, 1942. New York, NY. A typed letter signed <I>"<B>L. M. Ervin</B>"</I>, president of the New York division of the March on Washington Movement, an organization started in 1941 by A. Philip Randolph to combat discrimination in the armed forces and employment. On June 16, a mass protest meeting was held in Madison Square Garden to support to the interest group: <I>"On behalf of our National Director, A. Philip Randolph, the Planning Committee of the Madison Square Garden Meeting, Members of the March on Washington Movement, and I, thank you for your splendid cooperation and financial support, in helping us to follow through on the monster mass meeting held at Madison Square Garden on June 16, to bring to the fore the dire conditions that exist for the Negro in our own America, and our determination to overcome these disabilities by 'Winning Democracy for the Negro, and thereby Winning the War for Democracy.' I am sure you agree that this was the greatest epoch-making event in the history of the Negro, and also that it is prima facie evidence that we are willing to do everything possible to get our inalienable rights here and now! We could not have succeeded in this effort without your moral and financial support, and we want you to know that we appreciate it. Remember that we have just begun to fight; and we feel sure that we have your continued interest and support because you know this program to be sound, honest and right. Again we thank you!"</I> Randolph established himself as a major civil rights leader when he founded and became president of the all-black Sleeping Car Porters' Union, which sought fair pay and practices for all African-American porters. This ultimately led to his involvement in the March on Washington movement, which was diverted when President Eisenhower issued Executive Order 8802, which established the Fair Employment Practices Commission and was the first law to prohibit employment discrimination in the United States. This movement would later become the basis for the civil rights tactics of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The letter is written on the beautifully ornate and colorful letterhead of the successful movement, which includes the slogan <I>"Winning Democracy for the Negro is Winning the War for Democracy."</I

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