CITIZENS' COMMITTEE
FOR THE
Defense of Mexican-American Youth

206 SOUTH SPRING STREET, ROOM 342
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
TELEPHONE MUTUAL 4964

TO ALL STATE CIO LOCAL UNIONS
APRIL 30th, 1943

The enclosed resolution proposed by Mr. Philip M. Connelly and adopted by your State Executive Committee, speaks for itself.

The Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth feels that the fight for the freedom of the 17 innocent boys is not merely a matter of seeing a great wrong righted. Hitler, too, began his attack against the people of Germany by first attacking the minorities. It wasn't long after his success in whipping up disunity among the various groups that he was able to destroy them all. We have seen Hitler work too often in too many places not to recognize the vicious fascist rattle when we hear it in our own midst. Nor indeed, was it just by chance that the Axis radio harped upon the outcome of this trial for days on end as an example of "democratic justice" and our "Good Neighbor Policy".

We are now preparing to appeal the case. Mr. Ben Margolis, well known West Coast labor attorney has been retained to carry the appeal to the higher courts. It is the opinion of our attorney that the decision of the Los Angeles court that tried the boys is unjust; that the appeal is meritorious and that the chances of obtaining a reversal are good. It is estimated that it will be necessary to raise a fund of $20,000.00 in order to cover expenses in connection with the appeal.

We feel that inasmuch as your State Executive Committee considered this case of sufficient moment to give it its endorsement, you too will see its importance and the great need for supporting our Committee morally and financially.

There are many demands upon our resources now that our attorney has started to work on the appeal. Unfortunately, our treasury is low indeed. So we must turn to you and ask that you send us as generous a donation as you can, as quickly as possible, and if you can arrange it, we should very much like to have you pledge a definite amount each month toward the work of the Committee until the campaign is concluded, and the freedom of these boys is secured.