</s>104-10120-10472 2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 21 OCT 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: General Counsel ATTENTION : Mr. Richard H. Landsdale FRON: : Sidney D. Stombridge : : Acting Director of Security SUBJECT Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Department of Justice Request Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. SUBJECT 1. Reference is made to your request of 4 October 1976 (OGC 70-54051) in relation to a Department of Justice inves- tigation concerning the past activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FDR) and the Past Activities of the federal Bureau reverend Martin Luther King. Reforerence asked that the Office of Security determine through its files and the nature and extent of any contract between the Agency and the FBI concerning Reverend martin Luther king. 2. A search of our files has disclosed numerous FBI documents which either mention or concern Rovereved King as well as a limited number of internal Office of Security documents which relate to FBI/CIA interest in Reverend King. Forwarded herewih as Tabs a through J.R. J. Cole copies of each of these docu- ments. A brides of the Office of Secret documents together with ments, as a Brides of Office of Securty files from which these documents were obtained appears below! A. Tab A consists of both Office of Society and FII originated documents from our file on ReverendMartin Luther King (OSF053 062) and which appear to relate to referenced request. No sanitization has been effected on these documents. b. Tab B consists of documents taken from the Office of Security file on. (Jay Richard Kennedy) (OSF/72) and what appears to be related to refor- (OsF)12) and when it appears not noted that (Mr. Kennedy) encased request. It should not noted That (Mr ., Kennedy was a confidential informant of the office of E2 IMPIDLT CL BY 010249 OS 6 436/A

Summary  
The documents detail extensive FBI and CIA surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) during the mid-1960s, focusing on his leadership in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), associations with civil rights organizations, and alleged ties to communist networks. Key concerns included MLK’s involvement in the Poor People’s Campaign (1967), his alignment with peace movements opposing U.S. policies in Vietnam, and surveillance by the JAWAVE Project (1966) and Dade County Police Department. Internal agency memos discuss fears of "Black Power" militants, communist infiltration of civil rights groups, and James Farmer’s reversal on U.S. involvement in Vietnam at a CORE convention in Durham, North Carolina (1967). Post-assassination (April 4, 1968), discussions centered on FBI pressure, leaks about MLK’s financial sources, and alleged Communist control of the movement via figures like Harry Belafonte and James Farmer. Documents also reference Jay Richard Kennedy’s role as a confidential informant, his concerns about MLK’s exposure or assassination due to communist influence, and internal debates over replacing him with a "clean" leader.  

Key People  
- **Martin Luther King Jr.**: Central figure; surveilled for associations with militant groups, peace movements, and alleged communist ties.  
- **James Farmer**: CORE leader; discussed MLK’s exposure and reversed stance on Vietnam policy at the 1967 Durham convention.  
- **Jay Richard Kennedy**: Confidential informant; provided insights into civil rights groups, leaks about MLK’s finances, and Communist infiltration.  
- **Harry Belafonte**: Linked to Peking-line Communists; involved in post-assassination strategy meetings with Black Power leaders.  
- **Stokely Carmichael**: Prominent "Black Power" advocate cited as a threat by FBI analysts.  
- **James Bevel**: MLK’s deputy; had past ties to the Communist Party and advised against militant actions.  
- **Coretta Scott King**: Referred to in documents related to MLK’s activism and peace movements.  
- **Bernard Lafayette Jr.**: Civil rights activist involved with SNCC.  

Key Locations  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Site of MLK’s Poor People’s Campaign and potential civil disturbances during the 1968 summer.  
- **Miami, Florida**: Origin of JAWAVE Project dispatches; location of 1966 surveillance at Miami International Airport.  
- **Durham, North Carolina**: Hosted CORE convention where James Farmer reversed his Vietnam policy stance.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: SCLC headquarters and MLK’s residence.  

Key Events  
- **Poor People’s Campaign (1967)**: MLK’s initiative linked to peace movements and communist ties.  
- **CORE Convention (Durham, NC, 1967)**: James Farmer reversed opposition to U.S. Vietnam involvement, raising concerns about communist influence.  
- **JAWAVE Project Surveillance (May 1966)**: Joint FBI/Dade County Police monitoring of MLK’s activities at Miami International Airport.  
- **MLK’s Assassination (April 4, 1968)**: Triggered discussions about FBI pressure, leaks, and Communist control of the movement.  
- **Post-Assassination Strategy Meetings**: Involving Black Power leaders like Belafonte and Peking-line Communists.  
- **FBI Assessments (1967–1968)**: Reports linking MLK to communist-aligned groups, warnings about civil unrest tied to "Black Power" activism.  

Key Organizations  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Led by MLK; reported under Communist influence by Louisiana state committees.  
- **Civil Rights Movement**: Broad network of activists, including SNCC and CORE.  
- **National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam**: Peace movement group linked to MLK and radical leftist groups.  
- **Peking-line Progressive Labor Party**: Alleged controllers of the civil rights movement via Belafonte and CORE.  
- **Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)**: Mentioned as influenced by Peking-line Communists.  
- **Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM)**: Identified as a Maoist threat to U.S. operations due to its communist affiliations.  
- **Security Research Service (SRS)**: Involved in monitoring and reporting on MLK’s situation.

MLK Declassified Files

00554297_memoreverend_martin_luthe_104-10120-10472.pdf

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