</s>Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination of (KennedyAssociation of 1992 (44 USC 217 Note). Date : 08/25/5/5 Page : 1 Base: NW 88613 Date: 818-2045 JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY INFORMATION AGENCY NUMBER : INSCOM/CSF AGENCY RECORD NUMBER: 194-10002-10203 RECORD SERIES : DOD-AFFILIATED PERSONNEL AND INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AGENCY FILE NUMBER #: PAGES 123-1377 DOCUMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATOR : FBI FROM : FR1 [ RESTRICTED ] TO: [ RESRICTED ) TITLE : TATE : 04/22/1969 PAGES : 135 SUBJECTS : SCHERER, ROBERT FAIR PLAY FOR CUBA COMMITTEE PROGRESSIVE LABOR PARTY W. E. B. DU BOIS CLUBS OF AMERICA STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY YOUNG SOCIALIST ALLIANCE VIETNAM DAY COMMITTee PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY REPORT DOCUMENITY TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION : : SECRET: RESTRICTATION : 3, 4, 5, REFERRED, SECTION 11 (a) CURRENT STATUS : CURRENT RESERVED WITH DELETONS DATE OF LAST STATUS: OF LAST STATUMS: 5/17/98 OPENING CRITERIA : COMPLETION OF REVIEW BY FBI COMMENTS : COMMENTIA : COMPLIMENTA : COMPRESSION WITH FBI HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND DETERMINED TO BE RELEASABLE WITH RESTRICATIONS, PER MEMO DID 05 JUNE 98. NW 88613 Docid: 34517145 Page 1

Summary  
The documents detail Robert Scheer’s extensive political activism, affiliations with leftist organizations, financial transactions, travel activities, and interactions with government agencies during the 1960s–1968 period. Scheer was a prominent figure in anti-war movements, civil rights advocacy, and socialist networks, particularly linked to the Peace and Freedom Party (PFP), Black Panther Party (BPP), Communist Party (CP) USA, and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). His work as Editor-in-Chief of *Ramparts* magazine involved reporting on Cold War issues, U.S. foreign policy, and anti-Vietnam War efforts. Scheer’s activities included participation in political campaigns, demonstrations, and international travel to Cuba, Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia. FBI records reference his associations with subversive groups, surveillance of his movements, and alleged connections to communist networks. A 1968 *Ramparts* article claims Scheer was present at the Ambassador Hotel during Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on June 5, 1968. Financial records include bank transactions, passport applications, and visa requests for Cuba, while personal details such as marriages, divorces, and family life are noted.  

Key People  
- **Robert Scheer**: Editor-in-Chief of *Ramparts* magazine; central figure in anti-war activism, linked to the PFP, BPP, CP USA, SDS, and other leftist groups.  
- **Anne Weills**: Scheer’s wife (divorced); involved in political activities and contact attempts with Kathleen Cleaver.  
- **Carl Bloeice**: Endorser of Scheer’s 1966 congressional campaign; associated with the CP USA.  
- **Miriam Connelly**: Endorser of Scheer’s 1966 congressional campaign; linked to leftist networks.  
- **Gus Hall**: National leader of the CP USA; addressed CP youth clubs in Oakland and supported Scheer’s political activities.  
- **Huey Newton**: Leader of the BPP; subject of fundraising efforts and political support from Scheer and allies.  
- **Eldridge Cleaver**: Former BPP leader; subject of benefit events and vigils for his release from jail.  
- **José Viera Linares**: Cuban diplomat who facilitated Scheer’s travel to Cuba.  
- **Frank Morman**: SDS member associated with FBI reports on Scheer’s activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Berkeley, California**: Hub for political meetings, SDS events, and BPP activities; home to Scheer’s residence and the University of California.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Site of political gatherings, including the Peace and Freedom Party headquarters and Cuban Mission to the United Nations.  
- **Oakland, California**: Center for CP USA youth club meetings, labor school discussions, and BPP activities.  
- **Cuba**: Scheer’s travel destinations; included Havana (Hotel Nacional) and interactions with Cuban officials.  
- **Mexico City**: Transit hub for international travel; involved in visa processes.  
- **Prague, Czechoslovakia**: Site of research for *Ramparts* on Soviet influence in student organizations.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Location of the Ambassador Hotel where Scheer claimed to have been present during RFK’s assassination (June 5, 1968).  

Key Events  
- **Scheer’s congressional campaign (1966)**: Supported by CP USA networks and funded through U.S. Treasury channels; linked to socialist and communist groups.  
- **Anti-war demonstrations**: Participation in events like the Spring Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (SMCIV) rallies, including the 1967 Kezar Stadium rally in San Francisco.  
- **Travel to Cuba (1968–1969)**: Included flights on Cuban Aviation Company and meetings with José Viera Linares at the United Nations.  
- **RFK assassination (June 5, 1968)**: Scheer’s claim of being present at the Ambassador Hotel during the event; referenced in a *Ramparts* article titled “The Night Bobby Died.”  
- **FBI surveillance**: Records indicate monitoring of Scheer’s associations with subversive groups under Executive Orders 1040 and 1050.  
- **Formation of leftist organizations**: Including the W.E.B. Du Bois Clubs of America (DCA), Progressive Labor Party (PLP), and Vietnam Day Committee (VDC).  

Key Organizations  
- **Peace and Freedom Party (PFP)**: Scheer’s political affiliation; focused on anti-war, civil rights, and socialist causes.  
- **Black Panther Party (BPP)**: Linked to Scheer through advocacy for racial justice and resistance to government oppression.  
- **Communist Party (CP) USA**: Associated with Scheer’s congressional campaign and leftist networks; designated subversive by the FBI.  
- **Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)**: Scheer’s involvement in anti-war activism and political strategy discussions.  
- **Vietnam Day Committee (VDC)**: Organized anti-war demonstrations at UC Berkeley, including Scheer’s participation.  
- **W.E.B. Du Bois Clubs of America (DCA)**: Affiliated with socialist and communist groups; active in civil rights advocacy.  
- **Socialist Workers Party (SWP)**: Publisher of *The Militant*; linked to Scheer’s travel logs and political commentary.  
- **Discussion Unlimited, Inc.**: Forum-type organization composed of former Communist Party members, active in California.

Summary  
The documents outline the organizational structure and activities of left-wing groups in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1950s and 1960s. The Young Socialist Alliance (YSA) operated as a youth wing of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), with regional branches including the San Francisco YSA, Berkeley YSA, and San Jose YSA. The Bay Area Young Socialists Alliance (BAYS) was established in February 1958 as a local chapter of the national YSA, later reorganized under the name Bay Area Committee for the Young Socialist Alliance (BAYA). A 1960 national convention formalized the YSA as an organization with headquarters in New York City. By 1966, SWP members dominated the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the YSA. An FBI file from April 1969 identified Robert Scheer as a "key activist" within these networks, though no further conclusions or recommendations were made. The SWP was designated as a subversive organization under Executive Order 10450.  

Key People  
- Socialist Workers Party (SWP) leaders and members  
- Robert Scheer (designated as a key activist in an FBI file)  
- YSA regional coordinators (San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose branches)  

Key Locations  
- San Francisco Bay Area (including San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose)  
- New York City (YSA headquarters)  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (site of 1960 national convention)  

Key Events  
- Formation of the Bay Area Young Socialists Alliance (BAYS) in February 1958  
- National YSA convention in April 1960 establishing the organization  
- SWP control over regional YSA branches by 1966  
- FBI reference to Robert Scheer as a key activist in April 1969  

Key Organizations  
- Young Socialist Alliance (YSA)  
- Socialist Workers Party (SWP)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- W.E.B. Du Bois Clubs of America (DCA)  
- Fair Play for Cuba Committees (FPC)  
- Progressive Labor Party (PLP)  
- Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)  
- Vietnam Day Committee (VDC)  
- Women for Peace

JFK Declassified Files

194-10002-10203_redacted.pdf

Document Summary

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