Childrens’ march passes the White House: 1972
The Children's March for Survival passes by the White House in Washington, D.C March 25, 1972. The march was to “encircle” the White House.
U.S. Park police estimated that 10-15,000 attended the demonstration.
The National Welfare Rights Organization principally sponsored the march, although was endorsed by other organizations. Washington, D.C. schools came under intense criticism for permitting District school children to attend the march.
Social safety net programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Food Stamps and other minimal income measures were under attack by the Nixon administration and their allies in Congress.
The NWRO was formed in the mid-1960s and was active from 1966-75, involving predominantly low-income African American women. This was the last major demonstration by the group.
By 1972, a split developed in the organization with one tendency led by George Wiley advocating expanding the organization to the working poor and another tendency led by Johnnie Tillmon who advocated pursuing a black feminist agenda. In late 1972, Wiley resigned as Executive Director and Tillmon became the new ED ending the debate.
The organization went bankrupt and ceased to exist in 1975.
Food stamps restrictions were imposed by Congress in 1977 and again in the early 80s, although the program was later expanded. AFDC was effectively ended in 1996 and replaced with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) which continues in existence today.
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHsjtXFH8s
The photographer is unknown. The image is an auction find.
Childrens’ march passes the White House: 1972
The Children's March for Survival passes by the White House in Washington, D.C March 25, 1972. The march was to “encircle” the White House.
U.S. Park police estimated that 10-15,000 attended the demonstration.
The National Welfare Rights Organization principally sponsored the march, although was endorsed by other organizations. Washington, D.C. schools came under intense criticism for permitting District school children to attend the march.
Social safety net programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Food Stamps and other minimal income measures were under attack by the Nixon administration and their allies in Congress.
The NWRO was formed in the mid-1960s and was active from 1966-75, involving predominantly low-income African American women. This was the last major demonstration by the group.
By 1972, a split developed in the organization with one tendency led by George Wiley advocating expanding the organization to the working poor and another tendency led by Johnnie Tillmon who advocated pursuing a black feminist agenda. In late 1972, Wiley resigned as Executive Director and Tillmon became the new ED ending the debate.
The organization went bankrupt and ceased to exist in 1975.
Food stamps restrictions were imposed by Congress in 1977 and again in the early 80s, although the program was later expanded. AFDC was effectively ended in 1996 and replaced with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) which continues in existence today.
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHsjtXFH8s
The photographer is unknown. The image is an auction find.