Below I have posted a notice from Gerry Meyer, a friend for over four decades and a leader of the Vito Marcantonio Forum on the American Labor Party
The ALP, as it was called was founded in 1936 by a trade union and progressive activists, including Communist trade unionists, to both support nationally the New Deal government of Franklin Roosevelt, advancing workers rights and oppose the Democratic machine in New York City. Many hoped that the ALP would become a model for an American Labor Party which would grow coast to coast. Congressmen Vito Marcantonio of East Harlem, the most militant and eloquent peoples congressman of the period was the most important figure associated with the ALP, which faced rightwing factionalism(the right withdrew to form the Liberal Party during WWII) and relentlessly red-baiting and harrassment of its members and supporters. Macantonio for example served in Congress until 1950, when against the background of the Korean War, a "coalition candidate" on the Democratic, Republican and Liberal Party tickets finally "defeated" him.
Come to this event if you can and also pass it on to your friends. Imagine where we all would be if there were ALP's in New York, Chicago, all of the great urban centers of the United States
Norman Markowitz
Dear Friend,
Below and attached are notices of an upcoming event "The American Labor Party, 1936 to 1954," which is sponsored by the Vito Marcantonio Forum:" Please save the date--May 4, from 5:00 to 7::00 @ the Mulberry Street Public Library. Please Save the Date.
In solidarity,
Gerald Meyer
Vito Marcantonio Forum (VMF) Event
The American Labor Party (ALP), 1936 to 1954
The American Labor Party (ALP), that ran candidates in New York elections from 1936 until 1954, tremendously influenced New York State's, and especially New York City's, politics, in a progressive direction. Both Fiorello LaGuardia and Vito Marcantonio were enrollees in the ALP. In 1944, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and in 1948 Henry Wallace garnered approximately one-half million votes on the ALP line. Under its own banner, the ALP elected Congressmen, State Senators, State Assemblymen, and memorable City Councilpersons, including Benjamin Davis, Jr., Peter Cacchione, and Mike Quill. The threat of running its own candidates repeatedly caused the Democratic Party to nominate liberal as opposed to “regular,” that is, Tammany Hall designated, candidates. The ALP attracted support especially from African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Jewish-Americans; it also had a large following among Italian Americans and progressives of every ethnic background. The American Labor Party was a major casualty of McCarthyism.
Presenters:
Lecture: Gerald Meyer, co-chair VMF, Hostos Com. Col (CUNY), author Vito
Marcantonio: Radical Politician
Dramatizations: Roberto Ragone, co-chair VMF, actor, consultant
Chair: Gil Fagiani, Founding Member VMF, writer, poet, activist
Date: Monday May 4, 2015
Time: 5:00 to 7:00
Place: Mulberry Street Library 10 Jersey Street (btw Lafayette and Mulberry Sts.)
Admission Free/Light Refreshments (Limited Seating)
