The Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly

russell letter to the times, 4 AUGUST, 1961^[*]

Introduction by Ray Perkins, Jr.

The Committee of 100, with Russell at its head, came into being in the autumn of 1960 as a means of incorporating civil disobedience into the British anti-nuclear movement. In this letter, hitherto unpublished, Russell speculates on the British government’s reasons for denying permission for an anti-nuclear rally in Trafalgar Square on September 17, 1961. A sit-down demonstration resulted in an excessive police response which the Committee was able to use to gain considerable public support in the following months. Russell was not arrested in the September 17 melee because he and Edith were already in prison for an action in Hyde Park on Hiroshima Day, just two days after this letter to the Times was written. He and Edith were sentenced to two months in prison, reduced to one week for reasons of health. They were released from prison on September 18.

RUSSELL’'S 1961 LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE (LONDON) TIMES

4 August, 1961

To the Editor of the Times: [in BR’s handwriting – RP]

Some months ago the Committee of 100, of which I am president, applied for permission to hold a meeting in Trafalgar Square on September 17. No answer was received until a few days ago, and, when received, it was a refusal. It is very much to be hoped that the Authorities will reconsider this refusal.

Perhaps what influenced the Authorities was the knowledge that a non-violent demonstration of civil disobedience was likely to occur later on the same day. Such a demonstration, however, would be distinct from the meeting in Trafalgar Square. Moreover, if the legitimate outlets for expressions of opinion are refused, many, who might otherwise hesitate, will be driven to civil disobedience as the only opening left for them.

Another thing which may have influenced the Authorities is that September 17 is Battle of Britain Day.^[1] Perhaps they consider it inappropriate that a meeting should be held on that day by those who seek to persuade their countrymen not to permit further suffering, further death – perhaps the complete extinction of the human race and the obliteration of all that the splendidly brave people suffered and died for during that Battle. New times require new methods: and the salvation of Britain is as much our aim as it was that of those, both fighters and civilians, who gallantly endured the perils of that time.

Yours faithfully,

Bertrand Russell

^[*] This letter is reprinted with the permission of the Bertrand Russell Archives at McMaster University.

^[1] The Battle of Britain Day is a national holiday commemorating the heroic efforts of the British Royal Air Force against Hitler's Luftwaffe from July to November of 1940 in which "Churchill's few" gave the Nazis one of their first defeats of World War II.