"No Equal Justice": The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon George W. Crockett Jr.

by Edward J. Littlejohn, Peter J. Hammer

Overview

The story of a civil rights icon and Black lawyer who fought racism and political oppression with uncommon devotion.

Winner of a Michigan State History Award; Gold Medal Winner in the Independent Publisher Book Awards; Finalist in the Midwest Book Awards; Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards!

"There is no equal justice for Black people today; there never has been. To our everlasting shame, the quality of justice in America has always been and is now directly related to the color of one's skin as well as to the size of one's pocketbook." This quote comes from George W. Crockett Jr.'s essay, "A Black Judge Speaks" (Judicature, 1970). The stories of Black lawyers and judges are rarely told. By sharing Crockett's life of principled courage, "No Equal Justice" breaks this silence.

The book begins by tracing the Crockett family history from slavery to George's admission into the University of Michigan Law School. He became one of the most senior Black lawyers in President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal administration. Later, he played a central role fighting discrimination in the United Auto Workers union. In 1949, he became the only Black lawyer, in a team of five attorneys, defending the constitutional rights of the leaders of the U.S. Communist Party in United States v. Dennis, the longest and most dramatic political trial in American history. At the close of the case, Crockett and his defense colleagues were summarily sentenced to prison for zealously representing their clients. He headed the National Lawyers Guild office in Jackson, Mississippi, during 1964's Freedom Summer. In 1966, he was elected to Detroit's Recorder's Court—the court hearing all criminal cases in the city. For the first time, Detroit had a courtroom where Black litigants knew they would be treated fairly. In 1969, the New Bethel Church Incident was Crockett's most famous case. He held court proceeding in the police station itself, freeing members of a Black nationalist group who had been illegally arrested. In 1980, he was elected to the United States Congress where he spent a decade fighting President Reagan's agenda, as well as working to end Apartheid in South Africa and championing the cause to free Nelson Mandela.

Crockett spent his life fighting racism and defending the constitutional rights of the oppressed. This book introduces him to a new generation of readers, historians, and social justice activists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814348765
Publisher:	Wayne State University Press
Publication date:	02/23/2022
Series:	Great Lakes Books Series
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

Peter J. Hammer is the A. Alfred Taubman Professor of Law and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School.

Edward J. Littlejohn is professor emeritus of law at Wayne State University Law School. He is the founder of the Damon J. Keith Law Collection of African-American Legal History at the Walter P. Reuther Library.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 The Early Years: Influences and Michigan Law 7

2 Toward a Radical Law Practice 21

3 The Great Communist Conspiracy Trial: Battle of Foley Square 37

4 Aftermath of United States v. Dennis 87

5 "I Wasn't Alone": From Prison to Fighting Disbarment 129

6 Early 1960s: Crockett, the Guild, and Civil Rights in the South 169

7 Election to Detroit Recorders Court, the 1967 Rebellion, and the L. K. Tyler Case 217

8 The New Bethel Baptist Church Incident 243

9 The Struggles in Recorder's Court, 1970-78 283

10 Crockett in Congress: A Tall Tree Falls 307

Notes 327

Index 389

What People are Saying About This

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author of a Good American Family: the Red Scare and My Father - David Maraniss

George W. Crockett Jr., who represented my father and Coleman Young during the Red Scare hearings in Detroit, was a hero in my family, but more important was a vital and underappreciated figure in the fight for social and racial justice in America. I am thrilled that his courageous story is finally being told.

Editorial Reviews

"No Equal Justice": The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon George W. Crockett Jr. makes abundantly clear that this dedicated life led by George Crockett Jr. must not be forgotten lest we forget our own history and disregard the roadmap George Crockett's life is in this struggle for justice. While George Crockett's life could stand for how elusive justice can be and how history repeats itself, Professors Littlejohn and Hammer successfully make the case for how we must stay encouraged in the struggle, and how we can draw inspiration from the giant warrior that George Crockett was. These authors bring George Crockett, Jr. back to life - to educate and inspire a new generation of social activists, judges, and all who are invested in eradicating racism from our institutions, hearts, minds, streets and courtrooms. I commend"No Equal Justice" to anyone who must be encouraged, strong and courageous.

United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - Victoria Roberts

George Crockett is an inspiration for freedom fighters everywhere, and it’s an honor to carry on his legacy of working for the people in Congress. A true people’s lawyer, his life serves as a model of courageous, unflinching advocacy, and it’s long past due that new generations learn about his pioneering civil rights and social justice work.

Congresswoman - Rashida Tlaib

In 1949, George W. Crockett Jr., as a Black lawyer, was one of five who defended the constitutional rights of the leaders of United States Communist Party. This criminal trial, then America’s longest and most important, ended with contempt citations – Crockett served four months in a segregated Kentucky prison. Later, in 1952, he and his partner, Ernie Goodman represented most of those called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in Detroit, including future mayor, Coleman A. Young. Early on a Saturday morning, in 1969, Crockett, while a Detroit Recorder’s Court judge, went to Detroit Police Headquarters with writs of habeas corpus and began arraignments freeing most of the 142 men, women and children illegally arrested after a shoot-out at the New Bethel Baptist Church. After I became a lawyer in1970, I practiced law before this brilliant and ethical jurist. He respected the civil liberties of everyone regardless of race, religion or political affiliations. He became my mentor and I managed his 1980 campaign for the U.S. Congress. This superb and long overdue book is for young and older readers of law, history and biography. It instructs on what was and how a determined person can make positive differences in the lives of others. It is a quintessential must read.

Mayor of Detroit (1994-2001), Michigan Supreme Court Justice (1986-90), President National Bar Association (1983-84) and - Dennis Archer

"No Equal Justice" The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon George W. Crockett Jr. makes abundantly clear that this dedicated life led by George Crockett Jr. must not be forgotten lest we forget our own history and disregard the roadmap George Crockett's life is in this struggle for justice. While George Crockett's life could stand for how elusive justice can be and how history repeats itself, Professors Littlejohn and Hammer successfully make the case for how we must stay encouraged in the struggle, and how we can draw inspiration from the giant warrior that George Crockett was. These authors bring George Crockett, Jr. back to life - to educate and inspire a new generation of social activists, judges, and all who are invested in eradicating racism from our institutions, hearts, minds, streets and courtrooms. I commend "No Equal Justice" to anyone who must be encouraged, strong and courageous.

--Victoria Roberts "United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan" (9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

George Crockett was a man of extraordinary courage, character, and conscience. Unwavering and impactful in his efforts to create a more just America - and to end to apartheid in South Africa, his life set a standard to which persons of conscience should aspire. This book shows what it means to be a person of principle and consequence, and should be read by all who wish to better understand the searing battles that led to the rights to which Blacks have access today."

--Randall Robinson "lawyer, author, human rights activist and founder of TransAfrica" (9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

George Crockett is an inspiration for freedom fighters everywhere, and it's an honor to carry on his legacy of working for the people in Congress. A true people's lawyer, his life serves as a model of courageous, unflinching advocacy, and it's long past due that new generations learn about his pioneering civil rights and social justice work.

--Rashida Tlaib "Congresswoman" (9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

George W. Crockett Jr., who represented my father and Coleman Young during the Red Scare hearings in Detroit, was a hero in my family, but more important was a vital and underappreciated figure in the fight for social and racial justice in America. I am thrilled that his courageous story is finally being told.

--David Maraniss "Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father" (9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

In 1949, George W. Crockett Jr., as a Black lawyer, was one of five who defended the constitutional rights of the leaders of United States Communist Party. This criminal trial, then America's longest and most important, ended with contempt citations - Crockett served four months in a segregated Kentucky prison. Later, in 1952, he and his partner, Ernie Goodman represented most of those called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in Detroit, including future mayor, Coleman A. Young. Early on a Saturday morning, in 1969, Crockett, while a Detroit Recorder's Court judge, went to Detroit Police Headquarters with writs of habeas corpus and began arraignments freeing most of the 142 men, women and children illegally arrested after a shoot-out at the New Bethel Baptist Church. After I became a lawyer in1970, I practiced law before this brilliant and ethical jurist. He respected the civil liberties of everyone regardless of race, religion or political affiliations. He became my mentor and I managed his 1980 campaign for the U.S. Congress. This superb and long overdue book is for young and older readers of law, history and biography. It instructs on what was and how a determined person can make positive differences in the lives of others. It is a quintessential must read.--Dennis Archer "Mayor of Detroit (1994-2001), Michigan Supreme Court Justice (1986-90), President National Bar Association (1983-84) and President American Bar Association (2003-04)" (9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)

From the Publisher

George W. Crockett Jr., who represented my father and Coleman Young during the Red Scare hearings in Detroit, was a hero in my family, but more important was a vital and underappreciated figure in the fight for social and racial justice in America. I am thrilled that his courageous story is finally being told.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father - David Maraniss

George Crockett was a man of extraordinary courage, character, and conscience. Unwavering and impactful in his efforts to create a more just America - and to end to apartheid in South Africa, his life set a standard to which persons of conscience should aspire. This book shows what it means to be a person of principle and consequence, and should be read by all who wish to better understand the searing battles that led to the rights to which Blacks have access today."

lawyer, author, human rights activist and founder of TransAfrica - Randall Robinson