Young Democrats Drum Up Support For MFDP Congressional Challenge

Peter H. Weiner '65, president of the Harvard Young Democrats, last night announced the beginning of a mass letter writing campaign in support of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's challenge of the regular Mississippi delegation to the House of Representatives.

Weiner said that he hoped to enlist the support of the Harvard Young Republicans, SDS, and CRCC for the campaign. He claimed that wide-spread efforts could bring as many as 3000 letters flooding into Washington.

According to Weiner, the drive is particularly directed toward the six Congressmen from New England who voted against a resolution placed before the House this January to challenge the seating of the all-white Mississippi delegation.

Weiner hopes to recruit dorm captains at both Harvard and Radcliffe. The captains will distribute fact sheets, but their principal task will be to solicit as many original letters as possible. "We have been assured that such letters are read and considered in Washington," Weiner said.

'Write Home'

Weiner encouraged students to write home requesting letters from friends and relatives. He thinks that this would place the greatest possible pressure on local Congressmen. Weiner appealed specifically to New York residents, reminding them that Rep. Emmanuel Celler (D-N.Y.) and seven other Brooklyn Congressmen had voted against the January resolution.

Weiner said that the campaign, scheduled to start at the beginning of next week, welcomes all volunteers. He concluded that "considering the national concern over voting rights, the drive should be very effective."