ARRESTS OF 218 CONVICTED SUFFRAGISTS DEEMED ILLEGAL BY HIGH COURT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, March 4, 1918, arrests of 218 suffragists by District of Columbia police beginning on June 22, 1917 were deemed illegal by the United States Supreme Court. All convictions handed down in local police courts were also overturned.
The women, supporting their right to vote, had been protesting on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the gates of the White House. Alice Paul* was one of the women arrested.
After being arrested and convicted, the women were sent to jail. After their release in late November 1917, eight lawsuits were filed claiming assault and false imprisonment.
The Court ruling stated...
"The defendants, assembled for a perfectly lawful purpose, (are) not guilty of any offense..."
*Alice Stokes Paul (1885-1977) was born in Mt. Laurel, NJ & educated at American University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College & Washington College of Law. ASP founded the Congressional Union for Women's Suffrage & the National Women's Party (1916).
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, March 4, 1918, arrests of 218 suffragists by District of Columbia police beginning on June 22, 1917 were deemed illegal by the United States Supreme Court. All convictions handed down in local police courts were also overturned.
The women, supporting their right to vote, had been protesting on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the gates of the White House. Alice Paul* was one of the women arrested.
After being arrested and convicted, the women were sent to jail. After their release in late November 1917, eight lawsuits were filed claiming assault and false imprisonment.
The Court ruling stated...
"The defendants, assembled for a perfectly lawful purpose, (are) not guilty of any offense..."
*Alice Stokes Paul (1885-1977) was born in Mt. Laurel, NJ & educated at American University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College & Washington College of Law. ASP founded the Congressional Union for Women's Suffrage & the National Women's Party (1916).
Alice Paul
Harris & Ewing Photo (1915)
Library of Congress Image
Harris & Ewing Photo (1915)
Library of Congress Image
