The Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio Tuesday, October 03, 1961
Some Cheers Before Halt Order
Soviets Forbid Speeches By U.S. 'Peace Marchers'
Moscow (UPI)—A group of Western 'peace marchers' was denied permission to make speeches in Red Square today.
The 31 marchers, after a hike across two continents, were halted by Soviet officials just 100 yards from the Lenin-Stalin tomb.
The group had hoped to make speeches advocating unilateral disarmament and an end to nuclear tests. No speeches were permitted.
SOVIET officials said the demonstration would have to be held at the side of the square in front of the historical museum. After about half an hour of discussion with officials, the group was allowed to proceed to the center of the square in front of the tomb and stand a “silent vigil.”
Leaders obviously were upset at being forbidden to make their speeches.
“We wanted to speak to the people, not just to reporters,” said Bradford Lyttle of Chicago.
The marchers, including 13 Americans, walked into Moscow earlier today after a hike that started last Dec. 1 in San Francisco. Only eight members of the group had come all the way.
As they walked slowly into Red Square they were surrounded by several hundred curious Russians. Some applauded and waved. Soviet policemen on motorcycles cleared the way. The marchers were dressed in blue jeans, baggy sweaters and tennis shoes.
Among those who marched all the way were Mrs. Regina Fischer, mother of American chess champion Bobby Fischer. Mrs. Scott Herrick, who married her husband on the march in Chicago, gave a hug to David Rich, 22, Center Tuftonboro, N. H. The Herricks and Rich all started in San Francisco.
They Were Here April 23
The San Francisco-to-Moscow Walkers for Peace passed through the Akron area last April 23. Forty-three of them spent a day here peacefully picketing several local industries engaged in defense work. They made the First Congregational Church, Cuyahoga Falls, headquarters. They reached New York May 28 after six months of walking.
