Support rally for Wesley Robert Wells, circa 1950, Los Angeles
View
@ Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
Description
Photograph of three women speaking on a Los Angeles street to garner support for Wesley Robert Wells, an African-American man on San Quentin's Death Row. By the time he was 42, Wells had served 22 years in prison, even though he was convicted of two minor crimes of auto theft. While serving a five-year term for auto theft in 1944, Wells got into a fight in prison, and was found guilty of possessng a knife. This charge increased his sentence by an additional five years to life. His situation worsened in 1947, when he threw a cuspidor at a guard. The guard was only slightly injuredthe guard beat Wells unconscious. But under an obscure California ruling, a life-term prisoner who strikes a guard may be condemned to die. Prison authorities, who had charged Wells with 79 violations of prison rules, determined his life-term sentence enabled him to be executed, and sent him to Death Row. Wells' case drew the attention of civil libertarians, labor unions and concerned individuals. The Civil Rights Congress, Congress of Industrial Organizations and other supporters organized a campaign to prevent his execution. Organizers also initiated a drive to abolish the penal conditions which resulted in discriminationary treatment of African-American prisoners. Their efforts were successful, and Wells was saved from execution.
Image
Photographs
6120 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044Copyright has not been assigned to the Southern California Library for Social Studies and ResearchResearchers may make single copies of images solely for the purpose of private study. Copies for any other purpose must be requested in writing from the director of Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research at the address or e-mail given (phone (323) 759-6063). When the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research gives permission for publication, it is as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. USC may provide high-resolution images and/or prints for purposes other than private study only with written permission from the Southern California Library.Southern California Library for Social Studies and Researcharchives@socallib.org
