News & Special Announcements

Commemorative Exibition: 75th Anniversary Protest March Against Nazi Germany

The NMAJMH is currently working on an exhibition to commemorate the 75th anniversary of JWV's protest march against Nazi Germany held in New York City on March 23, 1933. We are looking for any information that JWV members may have regarding this march -- specifically materials like personal photographs from the event and written accounts. If you can be of assistance, please contact Pamela Elbe at pelbe@nmajmh.org or by mail at 1811 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Our Protest Parade
from The Jewish Veteran
April 1933 issue

It seems superfluous to say anything about the monster Protest Parade held by us in New York City on March 23rd, 1933. The press, radio, and movietone have broadcast it to the ends of the earth. Its meaning and effect have reached everywhere. However, history requires that we publish some of the highlights and sidelights.

Spurred by the lack on the part of Jews in this country to take any action in the face of the stories of atrocities, brutality and oppression against our brethren in Germany, a special meeting of our Executive Council was called for Monday evening, March 20th. As a result, a resolution was quickly passed to hold a protest parade on Thursday, March 23, as the most effective and visible means of demonstrating our indignation.

The resolution passed, orders stared to fly. The handful of comrades did not ask how or why, but like good soldiers, took orders and got on the job. And what a job it was. To notify the comrades, get them out, procure permit, get the Mayor to review us; publicity in the newspapers, secure bands, arrange for arm bands, and flags, the line of march, parade headquarters, and a 1,000 other necessary incidentals. The few comrades worked day and night, without thought of food or sleep.

We encountered obstacles outside the J.W.V. which for a time appeared insurmountable-some of the boys at times might have had the thought of quitting, but the do or die spirit was always victorious. Within the organization, some of the comrades in New York City, not only did not help or offer to cooperate with us, but actually threw damp cloths on our efforts, and did everything possible to stop the parade. Incidentally, some of these very comrades tried to get in the front row when the photographs and news reels were being taken.

Thursday, the 23rd, dawned cloudy with sporadic snow flakes. However, what are a few snow flakes or clouds to the doughty comrades with the true J. W. V. spirit? The hosts started to assemble at 9 a.m. Our thanks goes to Domcheks Restaurant for permitting us to use his restaurant at 12 St. Marks Place as Parade Headquarters. And they came in droves -wave upon wave-the number who wanted to march with us were astounding. And Abraham Kraditor, Chairman of the Parade, handled every detail like a real General.

And let us not forget Congressman W. W. Cohen. He answered our first call and consented to act as Marshal of the parade; thereafter he stuck with us through thick and thin. Also, Alderman Joseph Reich, who acted as deputy Marshal. Rabbi Edward Lissman came from a sick bed to be with us. A hundred thousand people blocked St. Marks place when Rabbi Lissman blessed the parade.

The parade started toward City Hall promptly at 11:30 A.M. as scheduled. Besides delegations from most of the J.W.V. posts in the Metropolitan Section, delegations from several American Legion and V.F.W. posts marched with us. Also the Palestine Legionnaires and delegations from many fraternal, social, and commercial organizations. Mr. Abe April was conspicuous with a large delegation from the fur industry and Bernard Sandler of the Theatrical Guild. Col. Lowenstine who headed the first division, had a delegation from Manischewitz Matzoh Company. Many other prominent men were in the line of March. Not to forget our Ladies Auxiliaries.

The parade was divided in four divisions, with uniformed men and colors heading each division. Between 6,000 and 8,000 were in the line of march. The parade would have been much larger, had we permitted several doubtful organizations to march. No banners or placards of any kind were permitted-nothing but American flags, and post or organization colors. A group of Ex-Servicemens Workers League were permitted to march on condition they displaced their banners, and carried American flags, which they did. The famous 71st Regiment Armory Band led the line of march.

Probably a million people crowded the streets along the line of march. At the City Hall, we were received by the Mayor. C.I.C. Fredman in a fine short speech presented our resolution of protest. Mayor O'Brien in receiving the resolution said "Any regime which encourages religious intolerance as its basis must and will meet with the moral opposition of the entire world."

Thereafter, the Mayor and his staff, together with C.I.C. Fredman and Staff reviewed the parade, from the steps of the City Hall, as it marched by. It took the parade about 30 minutes to pass in review. The boys marched by like real soldiers-heads up, shoulders back, firm step and colors proudly flying. It was a clean, orderly, decent parade, with not one single disorder. We were complimented again and again by Mayor O'Brien and many others who witnessed the parade. J.W.V. did itself proud on March 23rd, and the world knows it.

It was the first parade that Mayor O'Brien had reviewed since taking office-it was the second parade in history that was permitted to pass in full review through the City Hall Plaza.

This recital would be incomplete did we not express a word of appreciation to Police Commissioner Edward Mulrooney, and his aides, Inspector McAuliffe and Captain Golden, who with their officers so efficiently and courteously policed the parade.

It was a day's work well done! Every newspaper in New York City carried front line headlines and pictures of our parade. Papers throughout the world recorded it. Hitler and his cohorts were made to see that America was aroused-that Americans would not stand for atrocities and injustice against any minority people. After the parade, mighty events started to happen-it was only the opening gun-and it was a mighty salvo. J.W.V. as always heretofore, had taken its proper place in the front rank.

We believe in expressing our appreciation where credit is due. We can do no less than here record the names of those who gave so unselfishly of their time and effort and money to make the parade a huge success.

Honor Roll

At 3 P.M. March 23, 1933, a delegation called upon the British Consul General, at 25 Broadway, New York City and presented to him the Resolution passed at our Executive Council Meeting appealing to Great Britain to temporarily remove the immigration and financial restrictions in effect in Palestine, to permit homeless refugees from Germany to enter the promised Land. The Consul General received our delegation, was highly courteous, and promised to transmit our resolution to his Government.

On March 29th, 1933, Posts No 13 and 54 held a protest parade in Philadelphia, prior to a large mass meeting at the Armory that evening. The parade was a huge success, and congratulations are extended to both posts for their fine work. Herman Lieberman was Marshall and Harry C. Appell, Chairman of arrangements of the Parade. Boston, Pittsburg, Newark, Paterson, Lynn, Lawrence, and several other posts took leading parts in the protests in their several cities.