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Pela set os, bs dre , ot i, eae co. . ae ONS an a Ce ee ee ee t Peace Mobilization April 4 ~ 6, 1969 The next speaker was introduced as "the man who is taking most of the chances to be before this mike, one which we Camé to hear, oné which the hundreds of Gis are here to listen to as their spokesman.” The speaker was identified as the GI representative at this meeting and the person who would speak on behalf of the GIs - Richard)\Cartright. _ Cartright began his talk at approximately 4:05 p.m. and his speech was interrupted by a group carrying Vietcong flags and pigs' heads on sticks trying to take over the speaker's platform but were prevented from doing so by units of the New York City Police Department (NYCPD). In his speech, Richard Cartright spoke of the soldier's right to assemble under the guarantee of the First Amendment and stated he believed it was immoral not to do so. He felt also th it was a human right to speak out against the war and stated that soldiers had the right to speak out, the same as any human being. He noted that the GI protest was a new phenomenon and as examples referred to the GI newspapers which he:alleged were being published at twenty bases. He also noted how "Coffee Houses" were established at various military bases and urged civilian support noting that this was a very important aspect awn 2 & bh nfv Une war. of the program to assist the GI's againr He referred to the Presidio case and how the twenty- seven GI's involved spoke out regarding the "inhuman" conditions in the stockade. He urged the crowd to support the release of ' + the Presidio people. Cartright also spoke of the "Fort Jackson" case. He indicated a group of GI's there circulated a petition against the Vietnam war and how they secured several hundred signatures. He mentioned how some of the GI's involved were harrassed and how several were arrested on all kinds of charges. CONFJOENTIAL -10- - - FO teh ee re re eT ne eee tere ees ee es