[Carter, Rubin "Hurricane" (1937 - 2014)] Ali, Muhammad. (1942–2016) & Dylan, Bob. (1941 - ) & Wonder, Stevie. (1950 - )

1975 Archive of Ephemera, Photographs and a Signed Letter

Small archive of eleven original flyers, photographs and a signed letter relating to the campaign of Muhammad Ali and others for the pardoning of boxer Ruben "Hurricane" Carter who was wrongly convicted of murder. The collection includes three original press photographs ("Muhammad Ali takes time out from training for the Joe Frazier fight to address a rally in Newark 9/6 designed to gain a new trial..."; "Ali greets Carter"; "Ali leaves a rally at Newark..."), three different handbills ("Free Rubin 'Hurrican' Carter *& John Artis...Sept 17..."; "Come One - Come All - New Jersey Defense Committee...September 6, 1975"; "Heavyweight Champion of the World....says Meet Him in Trenton 'Together we will Win..." Friday October 17, 1975"), "The Hurricane Fund" brochures (two different), "March to prison with me Friday" poster (13x8"), "Night of the Hurricane II" January 25. 1976 concert program (with Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes) and a signed typed letter from Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson, September 2, 1975, with an autograph signed postscript from Muhammad Ali: "I am happy to confirm the content of our conversation. I will, on Saturday, September 6, 1975 make a presentation of keys to the city of Newark to Brother Muhammad Ali and Mr. Donald King.  As well, a proclamation will be issued proclaiming Saturday, September 6th Ruben [sic] Hurricane Carter Day in Newark, New Jersey."; "I will be there Sat. Morning / Muhammad Ali / Sept 3 -75 Peace."

In 1966, at the height of his boxing career, Rubin Carter was twice wrongfully convicted of a triple murder and imprisoned for nearly two decades. Just under seven years into his sentencing, Carter completed and published a memoir of his life detailing the journey of becoming a prized fighter to an incarcerated inmate serving a life sentence for a killing spree that he did not commit.  The book invigorated a vast public interest and support for “Hurricane,” seen through the Hurricane Trust Fund, which raised nearly $600,000 to fund the legal fees for Carter in hopes for another trial and attracted the support of superstars such as Muhammad Ali and Stevie Wonder.  Bob Dylan’s famed protest ballad “Hurricane,” which reprimanded the racists implications of the false arrest and imprisonment of Rubin Carter was also instrumental in attracting national attention to his case and transforming him into a global symbol of injustice. His case became a cause celébrè for a number of civil rights leaders, politicians and entertainers. He was ultimately released from prison in 1985 when a federal judge overturned his convictions. His story inspired the 1999 film 'The Hurricane,' starring Denzel Washington.  (21697)