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Irwin Miller

Era:1930s
State:Massachusetts
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Biography

Irwin Miller was among seven anti-fascist demonstrators prosecuted after protesting Nazi propagandist Ernst Hanfstaengl’s visit to Harvard University. The Daily Worker, October 25, 1934, page 1 reports six months in jail and a $20 fine each before Judge George James in East Cambridge, with an order to begin serving immediately and an ILD campaign for their release. The account does not establish their first arrest day, physical jail-admission day, release or actual time served.

Page 2 reports Judge Hayden fined Irwin Miller $200 in Boston on August 24, 1934 after arrest distributing leaflets and discovery of a book of Daily Worker contest tickets. This is distinct from the anti-Hanfstaengl Cambridge prosecution and October six-month sentence. The $200 is a fine, not proof of additional days served. Source: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/dailyworker/1934/v11-n204-aug-25-1934-DW-LOC.pdf

Daily Worker, August 25, 1934; relevant page stated in the accompanying profile note.

The October 25 Cambridge dispatch in the October 26, 1934 Daily Worker, page 5, names the seven anti-Hanfstaengl demonstrators and says Judge George James in Middlesex Superior Court increased their sentences the previous day, October 24, to six months and a $20 fine each. It specifies disturbing the peace and speaking without a permit at the Harvard Square protest the preceding June. The paper prints Sarah Barr, corresponding in this same seven-person roster to Sara Barr in the preceding issue. These are imposed penalties; no completed six-month service or physical discharge is inferred.

Daily Worker, PDF page 5.

Cases

Charges: Disturbing the peace and speaking without a permit at the Harvard Square anti-Hanfstaengl demonstration, June 1934.
Sentenced: Oct 24, 1934
Sentence: Six months in jail and $20 fine; ordered to begin serving immediately. Actual served duration unknown.
Judge: George James
Convicted: Yes
Charges: Contest-ticket/lottery allegation following leaflet distribution in Boston, 1934.
Sentenced: Aug 24, 1934
Sentence: $200 fine imposed August 24, 1934. No actual prison term or discharge established. Source: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/dailyworker/1934/v11-n204-aug-25-1934-DW-LOC.pdf
Judge: Hayden