$7,500
A four-page document distributed by Muhammad Ali on April 28, 1967, in Houston, Texas, to assembled members of the press and media outlining his reasons for refusing to be drafted into the U. S. Army. The document is signed on the last page "Muhammad Ali" in blue pen. Dan Lovett was a news reporter for KILT Radio in Houston in 1967 and was assigned to cover the proceedings surrounding the arrival of then World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali for his U.S. Army induction hearing. Ali had a residence of record at the time in Houston for tax purposes involving his various title fights at the Houston Astrodome. Due to this residence status Ali was thus registered as a member of the federal government's Houston Draft Board. Ali failed his original qualifying tests by the U.S. Army in 1966, but the tests were revised in 1967, making Ali eligible for the draft. On April 28, 1967, at the Houston Draft Board office, Ali refused to step forward each time his name was called for induction into the U.S. Army. After his third refusal he was informed that he had committed a felony and would be so charged. Upon leaving the Draft Board hearing, Ali held a brief press conference on the sidewalk outside of the Draft Board office. He would not answer any questions, and he stated that all of the answers the press members were looking for were contained in his printed statement. He then distributed this four-page release stating his reasons for refusing the draft. There were approximately 30 Read more…
Auctioneer:
Juliens Auctions
Date:
2012-06-23
