james rutledge

Handwritten Notice of James Rutledge Sr Giving Permission for Photographs of his son’s body (C-54)

James Rutledge, Sr. wrote this note, giving the Perry Funeral Home the authority to permit photographers to take pictures of his son’s body after he was gunned down by city and state police on July 16th. A photograph of James Rutledge, Jr.’s body in the morgue was distributed throughout the city and gained notoriety with the Essex County Grand Jury. According to photographer C. Danny Dawson, “The body would have looked worse if it hadnt been opened for embalming.” Rutledge was shot 39 times. — Credit: New Jersey State Archives

Phil Hutchings Addresses Press Conference at The Spirit House (July, 1967)

A view inside a press conference held at Amiri Baraka’s Spirit House in Newark during the National Conference on Black Power in July, 1967. Addressing the microphone is Newark Community Union Project (NCUP) and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) member Phil Hutchings. Also pictured are: cultural nationalist leader Ron Karenga (US Organization) to the left of Hutchings, Amiri Baraka behind Hutchings, and SNCC Chairman H. Rap Brown to the right of Hutchings. –Credit: Amiri Baraka Papers; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library

Amiri Baraka Addresses Press Conference at The Spirit House (July, 1967)

A bandaged Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) holds a press conference inside the Spirit House in Newark during the National Conference on Black Power. Baraka was wounded after being arrested on gun charges and beaten by Newark Police during the 1967 rebellion. Left of Baraka is cultural nationalist leader Ron Karenga (US Organization). Right of Baraka is H. Rap Brown, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). — Credit: Amiri Baraka Papers; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library

Press Conference at Spirit House (July, 1967)

A view inside a press conference held at Amiri Baraka’s Spirit House in Newark during the National Conference on Black Power in July, 1967. Seen seated in the photo from L-R are: the mother of James Rutledge (shot 39 times during the rebellion), Ron Karenga (US Organization), Amiri Baraka (United Brothers and CFUN), H. Rap Brown (SNCC), and Floyd McKissick (CORE). Newark Community Union Project (NCUP) and SNCC member Phil Hutchings can also be seen standing behind Brown and McKissick. — Credit: Amiri Baraka Papers; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library

Press Conference Inside The Spirit House (July, 1967)

A bandaged Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) holds a press conference inside the Spirit House in Newark during the National Conference on Black Power. Baraka was wounded after being arrested on gun charges and beaten by Newark Police during the 1967 rebellion. To the left of Baraka are cultural nationalist leader Ron Karenga (US Organization) and the mother of James Rutledge (veiled), who was shot 39 times by State Police during the rebellion.

Press Conference Inside the Spirit House-ilovepdf-compressed (1)

A bandaged Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) holds a press conference inside the Spirit House in Newark during the National Conference on Black Power. Baraka was wounded after being arrested on gun charges and beaten by Newark Police during the 1967 rebellion. To his right are cultural nationalist leader Ron Karenga (US Organization) and the mother of James Rutledge (veiled), who was shot 39 times by State Police during the rebellion. — Credit: Amiri Baraka Papers; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library

James Rutledge Photo Flyer

Flyer distributed by Amiri Baraka and others depicting a photo of James Rutledge in the morgue, along with accounts and analyses of the rebellions title the “Black Survival Bulletin.” — Credit: Newark Public Library

Life Magazine Photo of James Rutledge’s Mother-Aug 4 1967-ilovepdf-compressed (1)

Original caption from Life magazine: “Presented as a witness to police brutality, the grieving mother of 19-year-old Negro James Rutledge, who died in Newark riots, claimed her son was shot at least 39 times by police as he tried to save the lives of children trapped in looted store.” (Life, August 4, 1967) — Credit: LIFE Magazine

Dennis Hughes Deposition on James Rutledge

Deposition of 14-year-old Dennis Hughes before the Essex County Grand Jury, in which he describes the fatal shooting of James Rutledge by State Troopers and Newark Police in Joe Rae’s Tavern on July 16, 1967. — Credit: Newark Public Library

Robert Hatcher Deposition on James Rutledge

Deposition of 14-year-old Robert Hatcher before the Essex County Grand Jury, in which he describes the fatal shooting of James Rutledge by State Troopers and Newark Police in Jo-Rae’s Tavern on July 16, 1967. — Credit: Newark Public Library