16 july 1968 & quaker direct action corps organized re increase in food stamp program

#OTD 16 July 1968 The Quaker Direct Action Corps (945 L St, NW) was continuing to organize around the city to rally support for the Sullivan Bill, introduced by Congressperson Leonor Sullivan (white), to increase funds for food stamp program.

On Sunday 14 July, the Quaker Direct Action Corps visited churches and distributed the above flyer. They were asking church members to bake loaves of bread and drop them off at their downtown office by 9pm. The loaves of bread and letters would be delivered the next day to each Congressperson in order to convince them to "GIVE ALL AMERICANS THE CHANCE TO SHARE IN AMERICA'S ABUNDANCE."

Notice the red writing at the top of the flyer. It states: "Passed out at area churches, 14 July 1968. Mr. Willis brought it to office." This flyer was intercepted by police who engaged in heavy surveillance of activists and churches for Mayor-Commissioner Walter Washington.

Also, notice the imagery selected by the Quaker Direct Action Corps. In the bottom photograph. a child appears to be behind a window or bars of some kind sitting alone in the dark. In the above photograph, two white children have an abundance of food in their back yard or perhaps at a playground.

Your comments are welcome below. Were you, family members and neighbors members of the Quaker Direct Action Corps? Do you remember them coming to your church? Did you bake bread? Did you go the Capitol to distribute bread and letters? I'd be interested in hearing your comments about these photographic choices.You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Record Group 23: Office of Emergency Preparedness. Demonstrations. Civil Disturbances and Special Events. Box 7, Folder Special Event - "Summer in the Parks" 7/14/68 -. Office of Public Records/DC Archives. I thank Bill Branch, DC Archivist, for his assistance with these records and for sharing his own work on these records that he presented at the 2017 DC Historical Studies Conference.