◆ SpookStack

"eer Rockwell and his troopers were invited to join. Keenly attuned to the publicity value of such participation, Rockwell agreed and obtained a permit to use the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument grounds on July 5, 1964. The klansmen failed to show up, as Rockwell said bitterly, ‘at their own party, and the proceedings were conducted entirely by disappointed and angry members of the ANP. Lashing out at the segregationists, Rockwell said, "Our cause is almost ridiculous. We are ridiculous. "' 3. Nation of Islam Because Rockwell and Elijah Muhammad, leader of a Negro nationalist group called the Nation of Islam, both espouse segregation, Rockwell at one time affected an interest in the Nation of Islam. In ° July, 1961, he and 19 members of the ANP attended a rally of the Nation of Islam in Washington, D. C., without incident. Rockwell's intent was to try to convince a large group of Negroes they should return to Africa. At this time, Rockwell went so far as to call Elijah Muhammad the "Adolf Hitler of the Black Men."" Rockwell and some of his followers again attended the national convention of the Nation of Islam in . February, 1962. However, in March, 1964, Rockwell reversed his stand Claiming that the Black Nationalist movement under Elijah Muhammad — had been completely captured by the communists. - 62-