Click!- Not the movie

A history of prosecution for Un-American Activities

Cover of June 1939 Click Magazine. The inside cover features a Bund headquarters. (pictured below)

If anyone remembers McCarthyism from the 50s they most likely have heard of “The House of Un-American Activities”

It seems through the research for this article this mindset started initially with the investigation and prosecution of American-Bund associates during WW2.

This is something I did not know before writing this article! My initial beliefs were that the Dies committee was started to defend America from communist influence.

Below is an Article in the Macon Chronical-Herald (18 Aug, 1939) talking about a 19 year old Girls’ testimony after being charged with committing acts of ‘Un-American Activities” for her time spent associating with an American Bund organization.

That very same year Click magazine featured this image of a Bund headquarters using an American Flag as a carpet to walk on.

Inside cover of Click Magazine (June 1939)

The FBI saw this and found this to be Un-American, despite the covers context of showing the Bund disrespecting America in a negative light. Shown below is a summary of a letter sent from the Director of the FBI at the time to the Assistant Attorney General making him aware of this magazine.

“The Bureau has received the attached letter from J. Jarren Potter to which he attached the front cover of “CLICK” magazine, for June 1939. You will note on the inside of this cover is what purports to be a picture of an American Bund headquarters, with the American beneath a chair.”

The Department of Justice sent this letter to the FBI asking for an investigation to be opened and for prosecution to happen against the publisher of Click Magazine.

“Prosecution of those responsible for the publication of thousands of photos of the denigration of the American Flag should be done NOW., and exposed to the American public.”

Sources:

https://vault.fbi.gov/german-american-bund/german-american-federation-bund-part-02-of-10/view

https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/79525616/?terms=Bund%20propaganda&match=1