細節
MUHAMMAD ALI 1966 DRAFT BOARD LETTER
A significant six-page letter sent by Muhammad Ali on August 23, 1966 to the National and State Directors for the Selective Service, petitioning either one to exercise your jurisdiction in making Ali's local Draft Board re-open and consider anew my classification as it now stands...so that my claim for exemption as a Minister of Religion, which has never before been submitted to the Local Board may be determined. Ali had earlier that year been reclassified, his appeal had been declined, and he was now eligible for immediate induction. When this letter was written, Ali felt that his new request would not be properly considered because of great public pressure upon the Local Board to speedily induct me. Ali also believed that it would be in the best national interest and of justice to all concerned if this matter would be decided by the Selective Service and not by the judiciary. Signed Respectfully Submitted, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., A/K/A Muhammad Ali, Special Field Minister, The Lost Found Nation of Islam
Based on this letter, Ali's local board did re-open his case, but his request for reclassification was declined. On April 28, 1967 in Houston, Texas, Muhammad Ali refused induction into the armed forces citing his conscientious objection to the war, claiming exemption through the fact that he was a Minister of Religion. Without due process, Ali was stripped of his title, and forced into boxing exile for three and a half years. He was eventually found guilty of draft evasion, sentenced to five years imprisonment and had his passport confiscated. Ali's stand served as a rallying point for anti-war groups. On June 28, 1971, the United States Supreme Court voted unanimously to reverse Ali's conviction. This letter served as a basis for that decision. Together with over twelve hundred pages from the National Archives on Ali's original trial, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision and a copy of the Supreme Court decision. Excellent condition. (4)
A significant six-page letter sent by Muhammad Ali on August 23, 1966 to the National and State Directors for the Selective Service, petitioning either one to exercise your jurisdiction in making Ali's local Draft Board re-open and consider anew my classification as it now stands...so that my claim for exemption as a Minister of Religion, which has never before been submitted to the Local Board may be determined. Ali had earlier that year been reclassified, his appeal had been declined, and he was now eligible for immediate induction. When this letter was written, Ali felt that his new request would not be properly considered because of great public pressure upon the Local Board to speedily induct me. Ali also believed that it would be in the best national interest and of justice to all concerned if this matter would be decided by the Selective Service and not by the judiciary. Signed Respectfully Submitted, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., A/K/A Muhammad Ali, Special Field Minister, The Lost Found Nation of Islam
Based on this letter, Ali's local board did re-open his case, but his request for reclassification was declined. On April 28, 1967 in Houston, Texas, Muhammad Ali refused induction into the armed forces citing his conscientious objection to the war, claiming exemption through the fact that he was a Minister of Religion. Without due process, Ali was stripped of his title, and forced into boxing exile for three and a half years. He was eventually found guilty of draft evasion, sentenced to five years imprisonment and had his passport confiscated. Ali's stand served as a rallying point for anti-war groups. On June 28, 1971, the United States Supreme Court voted unanimously to reverse Ali's conviction. This letter served as a basis for that decision. Together with over twelve hundred pages from the National Archives on Ali's original trial, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision and a copy of the Supreme Court decision. Excellent condition. (4)
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Muhammad Ali Museum and Exhibition Center, The Louisville Galleria, Louisville, Kentucky