This is a story from a middle chapter in Bayard Rustin's career, the story of the War Resisters League's decision to hire Bayard. Hiring him was a decision that WRL’s leadership wrestled over and ultimately decided to do. Even a cursory look at it reveals a lot about American social norms (then and now) and, likewise, about how power, oppression, and homophobia function even in professed radical organizations like WRL.
On September 4, 1978 WRL members launched simultaneous disarmament demonstrations on the White House Lawn in Washington DC and in Red Square in Moscow USSR. This creative—and maybe rash—action was the brainchild of WRL staffers, notably Jerry Coffin and Lynne Shatzkin Coffin.
I was honored to be tasked to lead the Washington contingent.
Long-time WRL staffer Wendy Schwartz reflects on volunteers who helped in the WRL office in the mid-20th century. WWI and WWII draft resisters, an FBI informer, and many others did office work at 5 Beekman Street and later at the Peace Pentagon.
As the Golden Rule continues its voyage up the East Coast, it is sailing into cities with historic connections. It is now in Philadelphia, home of crew member George Willoughby, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and so many Quaker supporters. Onto New York, home of the War Resisters League office which provided staffing and organizing.
