ORU_A307.xml Guide to the Cheryl D. James Defense Committee Records 1967-1975 James (Cheryl D.) Defense Committee Records Tanya Parlet. Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives 2013
1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 spcarref@uoregon.edu http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-12-22. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 spcarref@uoregon.edu http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll
Cheryl D. James defense committee records James, Cheryl D. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Cheryl James Defense Committee Spencer, Arthur C., III (Arthur Champlin), 1938- A 307 0.075 linear feet 3 folders 1967-1975 Cheryl Dawn James was an eighteen-year-old African American woman from Portland, Oregon, who was convicted of assaulting an FBI agent; a group of interested parties formed a defense committee on her behalf and argued that racism within the court and the FBI had factored into the case. The collection (1967-1975) contains defense committee records, clippings, printed matter, and also newsletters from the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. 3 folders. English . 1-3

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

 James, Cheryl D. United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation Cheryl James Defense Committee James family Portland (Or.)--Social conditions--20th century Portland (Or.)--Race relations African Americans--Oregon--Portland African Americans--Civil rights--Oregon--Portland--History--20th century African Americans Women prisoners--Oregon Discrimination in criminal justice administration--Oregon--Portland African American women--Oregon--Portland Oregon Newsletters Correspondence Clippings

Cheryl Dawn James was an eighteen-year-old African American woman from Portland, Oregon. James graduated from Jefferson High School. In 1971, she was convicted of assaulting an FBI agent who came to the James' residence on January 4, 1971, to arrest her brother, Charles T. James, Jr., who was absent without leave from the Navy.

A defense committee was formed by interested people and groups in Portland who agitated for an appeal, and who argued that racism within the court and the FBI had factored into the case. Arthur C. Spencer, III was the secretary of the defense committee.

The collection contains a defense committee records, clippings, printed matter, and newsletters from the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

The collection contains a notebook of materials collected by committee secretary Arthur C. Spencer, III. Materials include historical and biographical note on the James family, the event that led to Cheryl James' arrest, news releases, letters to the editor, correspondence, and newspaper clippings regarding the case.

Also included in the collection are newsletters of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (1967-1975), and the case is discussed in the newsletters post 1971. There is also a folder of flyers and other documents of the League.

Guide to the Cheryl D. James Defense Committee Records

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.