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Thomas Aiken

Era:1930s
State:New York
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Biography

Thomas Aiken, an unemployed Harlem worker of 411 Convent Avenue, was beaten by police at the 142nd Street and Fifth Avenue Armory breadline on March 13, 1935. James W. Ford testified that officers struck him unconscious and took him to Harlem Hospital prison ward under arrest; three days later his sister was refused access. This establishes at least three days actual hospital custody, not a complete three-day term. No charge or release endpoint is stated. Source: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/dailyworker/1935/v12-n095-NAT-apr-20-1935-DW-Q.pdf#page=5

Case

Charges: Arrest during an unemployment-relief breadline incident; criminal count not stated.
Arrested: Mar 13, 1935
Sentence: Held under arrest in Harlem Hospital prison ward; at least three days documented, complete total unknown.