that King would avoid the Vietnam issue. Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, Harry Wachtel, and Clarence Jones were in attendance at this conference, where it was decided that King would avoid the Vietnam issue.
Admiration Lost
In early 1966, King was lamenting to Harry Wachtel about a nationally known figure who at one time was a heavy contributor to and admirer of King but was displeased because of King's stand on Vietnam. Wachtel reminded King, "When we went into this Vietnam thing, we decided that he who controls the purse strings doesn't control our philosophy."
Continued Pressure by Press
After the resumption of bombing of North Vietnam in February, 1966, King conferred with Stanley Levison and Bayard Rustin concerning a statement for the press. King informed them that the press had been bothering him for a statement, but he dared not take any action until he discussed the matter with them. It was agreed that King would say he was deeply impressed by the large number of Senators who called for a cessation of the bombings. Levison reiterated that King should point out how much opposition there is to the bombings.
Anti-Vietnam War Resolution
Miami was the scene of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference executive board meeting in the Spring of 1966. During this two-day conference, the sessions ran into the early morning hours attempting to draft a resolution on the Vietnam war. While there appeared to be general agreement, Stanley Levison and Harry Wachtel continued to argue for a stronger resolution than was presented. They wanted a resolution that would condemn participation by United States troops in Vietnam. The conference finally adopted a resolution calling on the Government to desist aiding the military junta in Vietnam and to seriously consider a prompt withdrawal.
