Call Number:

DG.088

Repository:

Swarthmore College Peace Collection

Extent:

4 linear ft. (4 linear ft.)

Preferred Citation:

Cite as: Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Alliance for Conscientious Objectors Records..

Date:

1970-1974 (inclusive)

Creator:

Alliance for Conscientious Objectors (U.S.), Anderson, Paul, active 1970-1974, Baker, Lillian, Curtice, Laurence L., French, Bruce Comly, Friedman, Bruce, Gerber, William, 1908-, Halvonik, Paul N., Hanson, William L., Harter, Edward A., Ness, Robert L., Sly, Peter, Spatz, Barry Charles, Thomas, Gill J., Vonasch, James L., Wichelman, Allan F., Wright, Raymond Orson, and Conscientious Objectors for Service Benefits (U.S.)

Abstract:

The Alliance for Conscientious Objectors (AFCO), based in Seattle (Washington), was founded in 1970 by John Long and Paul Anderson, who served as its national coordinator. It changed its name in 1972 to represent a wider scope of purpose. During this time, conscientious objectors who performed two years of alternate service, the same period as those drafted into the military served, were not entitled to Veterans Administration benefits under the GI Bill of Rights. By 1974 AFCO had reached a "plateau of achievement." It contributed its remaining funds to NISBCO and CCCO.

The Alliance for Conscientious Objectors (AFCO), based in Seattle (Washington), was known initially as Conscientious Objectors for Service Benefits (COSB). It was founded in 1970 by John Long and Paul Anderson, who served as its national coordinator. It changed its name in 1972 to represent a wider scope of purpose. During this time, conscientious objectors who performed two years of alternate service, the same period as those drafted into the military served, were not entitled to Veterans Administration benefits under the GI Bill of Rights. The COSB/AFCO worked to raise public awareness of this injustice, and sought redress through legal cases in the federal court system. On December 11, 1973, the Justices of the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two suits challenging the constitutionality of discrimination against veterans of alternate service. In its February 1974 newsletter, the group announced its decision to disband and "pass its torch to the two professional organizations in the country, National Interreligious Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO) and the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO)." It was felt that as a volunteer, nonprofit group, AFCO had reached a "plateau of achievement." It contributed its remaining funds to NISBCO and CCCO; its last corespondence is from March 1974.

This collection includes extensive correspondence with COs, agencies working for CO rights; lawyers; reporters; branches and/or local groups; and others; outreach material that explained COSB/AFCO's position on issues and its sponsorship of events, etc.; and, legal case files that represented efforts to win benefits for COs. Also included are four sets of cards that partially index the correspondence. A serious gap in information occurs because there are no meeting minutes or significant financial records.