Document 19: National Scottsboro Action Committee, "Hear Ruby Bates," Rally Handbill, 10 May 1933, Clarina Michelson Papers, Tamiment Library, New York University.

Introduction

    Ruby Bates made her first appearance at a New York Scottsboro protest on May 5, 1933, and joined the marches on Washington, D.C. in 1933 and 1934 to present petitions and letters to President Franklin D. Roosevelt urging federal intervention in the Scottsboro case and enforcement of civil rights.

    The following handbill prepared for the victory rally of May 10, 1933, trumpeted "Hear Ruby Bates" and welcomed home the "Scottsboro Delegates from Washington!" But after this handbill went to press, the marchers found out they had little to celebrate. The President declined to meet with the Scottsboro delegation, which included Scottsboro Mothers, Ruby Bates, Louise Thompson and dignitaries of many organizations and churches. The official public statement said that the President was unable to make time to greet the delegation.

WELCOME SCOTTSBORO DELEGATES FROM WASHINGTON!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 8 P.M.
ROCKLAND PALACE, 155 ST. & 8 AVE.

HEAR RUBY BATES

    The Harlem Workers who went to Washington will report on what President Roosevelt said about the Scottsboro Verdict and Civil Rights Bill, presented by the delegation to enforce the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

Other Speakers Just Back From Washington

WILLIAM FITZGERALD--Harlem Organizer, International Labor Defense
LOUISE THOMPSON--Sec'y, National Scottsboro Action Committee
LESTER CARTER--Famous Defense Witness in Decatur, Ala.
RICHARD B. MOORE--National Field Organizer International Labor Defense

Also the chief lawyers of the International Labor Defense

IRVING SCHWAB--Just Returned from the South with Latest News of All the Scottsboro Boys and Angelo Herndon

REV. A. CLAYTON POWELL, JR.--Abyssinian Baptist Church

Admission: 15c

Unemployed: Free

National Scottsboro Action Committee
119 West 135 St., NYC