From the Archives …

From the Business Committee of the American Unitarian Association (May 1947): PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF CITIZENS SUMMONED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES

Whereas: The American Unitarian Association at its last Annual Meeting expressly condemned the House Committee on Un-American Activities because of its frequent and gross violations of the elementary principles of fair inquiry; and

Whereas: Since the action of this Association, the Committee on Un-American Activities has indulged in further, and even grosser violations of the fundamental rights of American citizens; and

Whereas: There is evidence indicating that these violations occur in part because of a grave lack of procedural safeguards of the rights of individual citizens appearing before this Committee; specifically, the right of the individual to be accompanied by legal counsel;

Be It Therefore Resolved: That the American Unitarian Association, assembled in its 122nd Annual Meeting, reaffirms its condemnation of the methods employed by the House Committee on Un-American Activities and urges every Unitarian to write to his Congressional representatives, urging that steps be taken by Congress to ensure the protection of the basic rights of every American citizen summoned to testify before this, or any other Congressional Committee; also requesting them to protest on the floors of Congress whenever these rights are shown to have been violated.