</s>The Mestiny Conard Curveillance, and a surveillance on any future residence of Kings, by lids written signature. Thihe telekolions surveillance was installed on Fotocher by, Knd, and tan discarded on April 30, 1865. HOTR Dormance of the confederable publicty concerning the teclonimn of the surveillance on the protece of the late Hastan Lutke Hils, Jee, coasended by the court here in the Uia S.S.Eckettia bovidien case of Cassius Clay, the first Cenerecenent of the original record for this ceramigo by Robert F. Remedy, are being fumished to the Attenney Canvou. Cherifieded tn the information contained therein, the unauthorised disscenme of such end result in cesceptienally grave ciage to the radical. security. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), initiated in 1963 due to concerns about communist infiltration within civil rights organizations. Surveillance focused on MLK’s residences in Atlanta, Georgia, and SCLC headquarters, including its New York City office at 312 West 125th Street. The FBI requested authorization to monitor MLK’s activities amid fears of potential violence during planned demonstrations, such as the 1968 "Poor People's March" in Washington, D.C. Surveillance was discontinued on June 21, 1963, but reinstated later. Investigations also examined stolen vehicles linked to MLK and associates, with individuals like Harold Batton Andrews and Hoson Williams mentioned in asbestos-related inquiries. The documents reference Stanley Levison, a long-time Communist Party member associated with MLK, and his role in managing financial records for the SCLC, including checks payable to J. O’Dell. Tax exemption applications for the "Committee to Aid the Southern Freedom Struggle" were denied by New York City authorities. The FBI’s surveillance requests highlighted concerns about communist influence within the civil rights movement, particularly MLK’s leadership and interactions with Levison. The March on Washington (August 28, 1963) is noted as a pivotal event where communists allegedly influenced MLK’s planning. Voter registration drives in Louisiana, coordinated by Hunter Pitts O’Dell under the guise of civil rights efforts, are linked to communist infiltration of the SCLC. The documents also reference Gus Hall and Hosea Hudson as Communist Party leaders orchestrating strategies to integrate their objectives into broader political movements, including manipulating racial tensions.  

Key People  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK): Subject of FBI surveillance due to alleged communist ties; president of SCLC.  
- Stanley Levison: Secret Communist Party member; managed financial records for SCLC and submitted tax exemption applications.  
- John Edgar Hoover: FBI Director who authorized surveillance requests.  
- Attorney General: Involved in approving surveillance authorizations.  
- Harold Batton Andrews: Mentioned in asbestos-related inquiries linked to MLK’s associates.  
- Hoson Williams: Referenced in asbestos-related inquiries.  
- Jack O’Dell: Alleged Communist operative connected to MLK’s activities; later departed the Communist Party.  
- Ralph Abernathy: Advocated for making MLK’s birthday a national holiday.  
- Hunter Pitts O’Dell: Former Communist Party member involved in voter registration drives under civil rights guise.  
- Gus Hall: Communist Party leader directing efforts to integrate communist objectives into MLK’s movement.  
- Hosea Hudson: Communist Party member coordinating with O’Dell in the South.  

Key Locations  
- Atlanta, Georgia: MLK’s residence and SCLC headquarters at 330 Auburn Avenue.  
- New York City: SCLC offices at 312 West 125th Street; location of denied tax exemption applications.  
- Washington, D.C.: Site of the planned "Poor People's March" (1968) and the March on Washington (August 28, 1963).  
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Meetings between communist operatives Hosea Hudson and Hunter Pitts O’Dell.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of a 1968 riot linked to MLK’s activities.  

Key Events  
- Installation and discontinuation of technical surveillance on MLK’s residences and SCLC headquarters (1963–1968).  
- FBI requests for authorization to monitor communist influence within the civil rights movement, particularly targeting MLK’s associations with Stanley Levison.  
- Investigation into stolen vehicles linked to MLK and his associates.  
- Submission of tax exemption applications for the "Committee to Aid the Southern Freedom Struggle," denied by New York City authorities.  
- Planning for the 1968 "Poor People's March" in Washington, D.C., with concerns about potential riots.  
- Discussions about designating MLK’s birthday as a national holiday, supported by figures like Ralph Abernathy.  
- Voter registration drives in Louisiana coordinated by Hunter Pitts O’Dell under the guise of civil rights efforts.  
- Communist infiltration of SCLC, including financial support from Stanley Levison and operational coordination via Gus Hall and Hosea Hudson.  
- March on Washington (August 28, 1963) highlighted as a pivotal event where communists allegedly influenced MLK’s leadership and planning.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted surveillance requests and investigations into SCLC and communist connections.  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Led by MLK; central to financial records, tax exemption applications, and alleged communist infiltration.  
- Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA): Levison and O’Dell were secret members; Gus Hall and Hosea Hudson directed efforts to integrate communist objectives into civil rights movements.  
- National Guardian: A Soviet-aligned publication cited as a propaganda outlet used by communists to solicit funds for MLK’s activities.

MLK Declassified Files

62-hq-1038244_sec_000_ser_135_136-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search