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appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
Fri May 4, 2018, 05:22 PM May 2018

Weekend Events Kick Off 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Catonsville Nine Protest

Source: The Baltimore Sun

A committee marking the 50th anniversary of the seizing and burning of draft cards in Catonsville — a protest in 1968 that startled the nation and fueled other demonstrations against the Vietnam War — is hosting a series of commemorative events in May kicking off this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The group that came to be know as the Catonsville Nine included nine Catholic activists who came to the draft board office in Catonsville on May 17, 1968, seized 378 draft records and burned them on the parking lot to protest the war.
The members were later tried in federal court and found guilty of destruction of U.S. property. They were sentenced to a total of 18 years jail. The incident became symbolic of the nation's mood regarding involvement in Vietnam and anti-war sentiments in general.

< Related, Jesuit priest among Catonsville Nine remembered for inspiring anti-war activism >

On Friday, May 4, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Shriver Center, 1000 Hilltop Circle, will host a Catonsville Nine symposium with various speakers discussing the history of the incident, its impact on society at the time and its lasting relevance in peace movements.
A panel discussion, "Living Legacy Voices: History, Importance and Relevance of the Catonsville Nine," will take place at 4:30 p.m., moderated by radio host Marc Steiner and featuring among the panelists Margarita Bradford Furber — then-Marjorie Melville, one of the Catonsville Nine members.
Other events as part of the symposium will be a 6 p.m. dramatic reading "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine," featuring the Salem Players theater group.

On Saturday, May 5, a daylong schedule of events will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Catonsville Presbyterian Church, 1400 Frederick Road, and Catonsville Library, 1100 Frederick Road.

< Related, As anniversary arrives, song recounts the history of the Catonsville Nine >

Events include a film showing at 9:30 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. at the Catonsville Library depicting UMBC students' interviews of local Catonsville Nine-related activists and others, and an address at 10:30 at Catonsville Presbyterian Church by journalist and author Amy Goodman.
The day will also include a noon discussion at the library with residents including Bill Galvin, a Vietnam-era conscientious objector who is now an elder at Hope Presbyterian Church in Arbutus; State Del. Eric Ebersole, an alumnus of Catonsville High School; and David Hutton a Catonsville native whose 23rd birthday was May 17, 1968 — and whose draft record may have been among those on file that day at the Catonsville Selective Service Office.
At 2:30 p.m., a Catonsville Nine historical marker will be dedicated outside the Catonsville Library. ~ Continued..

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-catonsville-nine-events-20180503-story.html





May 17, 1968 historic, non violent protest burning of military draft cards with homemade napalm by Catholic activists Daniel Berrigan, Phillip Berrigan and seven others- the Catonsville 9.



Members of the Catonsville Nine

More on the Catonsville Nine & 50th Anniversary commemoration events, this weekend May 4-6, and through May.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210576484




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FailureToCommunicate

(13,988 posts)
1. Many had burned or destroyed their draft cards before this, but here were nice
Fri May 4, 2018, 05:43 PM
May 2018

church folks (the Berrigan Brothers were acquaintances of mine) burning a large pile of nearly 400 draftee files.

Can't believe it been fifty years! Seems like only yesterday, (especially with all the crap that's still going on these days!).

appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
2. It was heartening to read about the organizations and people involved with
Fri May 4, 2018, 06:23 PM
May 2018

this commemoration half a century later. Also the many good people still involved and advocating for peace and justice. It doesn't seem like the Catonsville 9 was 50 years ago to me either. With difficult issues we're facing now some similarities are clear, sans the violence level of 1968.
Thanks for commenting and mentioning that you knew the Berrigans, that's very special. Peace.

FailureToCommunicate

(13,988 posts)
3. The Berrigans had come to White Plains to help organize local kids around issues of racism, after
Fri May 4, 2018, 06:31 PM
May 2018

the recommendations of the Kerner Report of 1967.

Such a momentous, volatile year was 1968.

appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
4. Quite an era the 60s indeed. I was still fairly young then but had the advantage
Fri May 4, 2018, 07:34 PM
May 2018

of older siblings, a broad minded, cultured mother and college student friends to hang with and join for lectures and concerts. The Kerner report and commission figures were huge- John Lindsey, Edward Brooke, Roger Wilkins and others I remember.
I've visited Westchester and the Hudson River valley a few times, very pleasant experiences. Somehow I missed Hyde Park, a major oversight given my respect for FDR and contact with presidential libraries when with the National Archives. Next time!

FailureToCommunicate

(13,988 posts)
5. Please do come visit ag up North. I'm not there any longer, but the Rockefeller estates are worth a
Fri May 4, 2018, 08:27 PM
May 2018

visit. At Pocantico Hills estate there is a family chapel with nine (9!) Marc Chagall stained glass windows and one by Matisse!

http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/union-church-pocantico-hills

And of course, lovely Hudson Valley, the Hudson River, is also Pete Seeger country...



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