Strong Communist Influence
Another complicating factor in the picture is the degree of communist influence on King. One of King's principal advisors is Stanley David Levison. Ostensibly only a New York City attorney and businessman, Levison is, in fact, a shrewd, dedicated communist. Levison has spent the major part of his life advancing communist interests.
Levison gravitated to Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1956. He has been as dedicated in his support of King as he has been in advancing communist goals. He has actively involved himself in fund-raising drives for King, served as his legal counsel in certain matters, suggested speech material for him, discussed with King demonstrations in which King was involved, guided him in regard to acceptance or rejection of various public appearances and speaking commitments, and helped him with matters related to articles and books King has prepared.
Levison edited most of the chapters of King's new book entitled "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?" Levison wrote one chapter of this book, and the publisher's representative complained to King and Levison that it was obvious certain sections of the book were written by different individuals.
Stanley Levison has told Clarence Jones, another advisor to King, that under no circumstances should King be permitted to say anything without their approving it. Levison also informed Jones that King is such a slow thinker he is usually not prepared to make statements without help from someone. Levison is actively participating in the planning for King's "Washington Spring Project."
Explosive Situation
The combined forces of the communist influence and the black nationalists advocating violence give the "Washington Spring Project" a potential for an extremely explosive situation.
