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INTRODUCTION
June 19, 1953 is a never-to-be forgotten
date in American history. On that day Julius
and Ethel Rosenberg
died in Sing Sing's electric chair on the frame-up charge of conspiring
to commit espionage for the Soviet Union, orphaning their two sons, 6-year
old Robby and 10-year old Michael.
The Rosenberg case was unprecedented in the way the death penalty was applied.
Never before in American civil court history had there
been an execution for espionage, let alone conspiring to commit
espionage. And since then, many Americans have been convicted of spying
for the Soviet Union and other countries. Amazingly, some of these spies
were FBI and CIA agents. Yet, none of them have received a death sentence.
What made the Rosenberg case so unique? The defendants were executed
for crimes they were convicted of in the media, but not by a
jury in the courtroom. The trial took place at the height of McCarthyism
and anti-communist hysteria and paranoia. For eight months after their
arrests, the Rosenbergs were being blamed by the FBI and throughout the
media with having caused the United States' undeclared war then raging
in Korea. It was claimed that they did this by having stolen and transmitted
the A-bomb secret to the Soviets. A majority of Americans uncritically
accepted
these false allegations and clamored for the harsh punishment of these
"communist traitors".
When the trial began the public was under the impression that the defendants
were being tried for atomic espionage and treason,
a capital offense. However, neither of these crimes was charged
at the trial. The indictment was only for conspiring to
commit espionage, not for passing any classified material. And definitely
not for treason. 
The press and the public could have no idea of what the real charges were,
based upon the opening statement of chief prosecutor Irving Saypol: "The
evidence of the treasonable acts of these three defendants you will find
overwhelming . . ." And Judge Kaufman, in his sentencing
statement, delivered seven days after the trial ended, justified the
death penalty by saying that the Rosenbergs "put the A-bomb into the
hands of the Russians", were guilty of causing the war in Korea and
"treason".
The wrongful charges made in the media were perpetuated both during and
after the trial. This explains the acceptance by Americans
of the outrageous sentences imposed in this
case. Even to this day the Rosenbergs are mistakenly thought of by most
Americans
to be "atom spies" who were convicted of treason.
Thus, two shocking precedents were set. The first is that people can be
sentenced to death for crimes for which they did not have a trial. The
second is the denial of the right of confrontation. Defendants must be
apprised of the charges against them and afforded the opportunity to reply
in a court of law. This is a right guaranteed in all democracies.
"History
will record. . . that we were victims of the most monstrous
frame-up of our country. . . .We die
with honor and dignity - knowing
we must be vindicated by history."
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, June 1953 |
There were many violations
of law in addition to those mentioned above. These occurred before,
during and after the trial. Tragically, these miscarriages of justice even
spread to the United States
Supreme Court, the highest court in our land, from which there was
no legal recourse.
The purpose, and result, of this frame-up case was the destruction of America's
political conscience. The harsh sentences meted out in this case conveyed
a clear message to Americans that disagreement with our government's policies
could be hazardous to liberty and life. In addition, the outcome
of the case reflected and re-enforced one of the most draconian laws
(passed over the veto of
President Truman) ever enacted by Congress: The Internal
Security Act of 1950 (McCarran Act).
By order of this McCarthy/FBI inspired McCarran
Act, all members of the Communist Party and all members of a hundred so-called
Communist
Front organizations (defined by the Attorney General), were declared
to have "transferred their allegiance to"
the Soviet Union. Overnight, almost 500,000 Americans had become
"Soviet spies". Of course, this included
the Rosenbergs.
Because of the stigma attached to membership, many public service organizations
were destroyed. These organizations had defended civil rights and civil
liberties; supported affirmative action; and aided the poor, the minorities,
the under-privileged, the unemployed, the elderly and disabled, the ill
housed and ill fed. Although most of the McCarran Act was declared unconstitutional
and repealed by 1971, progressive party politics has been stifled to this
day.
Unfortunately,
another impact of the McCarran Act was also felt almost immediately in
the courtroom. Judge Kaufman not only used this legislation as a guideline
for jury selection, but actually went beyond the scope of the Act for his
criteria of what would make one unfit for jury duty. Firstly, he extended
the list of "un-American" organizations beyond that defined by the Justice
Department. He further declared that friends and family of anyone
in these organizations and former members were
also to be excluded as jurors. Judge Kaufman's broader application of the
McCarran Act meant that millions of additional Americans were suddenly
tainted.
". . .One thing must be crystal clear
and that is that our case if allowed to stand is a very great threat directed
at the heart of the progressive movement and it is an integral part of
the conspiracy to establish fear in our land. . . "
Letter from Julius to Michael and Robert, October 23, 1952. |
McCarthyism in the 1950's reproduced the Salem Witch Trials of the
1690's. It happened right here in the United States, and it can happen
again. Protect
your rights! Help us to reopen the Rosenberg case. Included on this
site are numerous essays, documents, links, and a multimedia bibliography
for detailed information about the trial, the people involved, the historical
context in which the events occurred and what has happened since then.
Also included are ways for you to actively become involved; sample letters
and emails to send to your representatives and other government officials.
We welcome your input, participation, and donations to further
this cause.
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THE COMMITTEE
After the trial, "The Committee to Secure
Justice in the Rosenberg Case" was formed. This committee was led by David
and Emily Alman. After the executions, the same committee became "The Committee
to Secure Justice for Morton
Sobell", a codefendant with the Rosenbergs. Sobell was also convicted
of conspiracy to commit espionage and was sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Approximately ten years later, the National Committee to Reopen the Rosenberg
Case (NCRRC) was formed and has continuously been in existence ever since.
The current director, Aaron Katz, was a member of the original committee
and has been director for approximately 20 years.
The Committee seeks to have the Rosenbergs and Sobell exonerated and to
have the government publicly address and own up to its complicity in the
terrible miscarriage of justice that took place in this case.
The NCRRC also supports campaigns to redress the unjust incarceration and
excessive punishment of prisoners; including the imposition of the death
penalty on Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The NCRRC deplores the dismal failure of our judicial system and calls
for its review and reform.
New York City tried
to take the streets away from people who wished to hold a vigil
on the day the Rosenbergs
were scheduled to be executed. The city refused to permit
demonstrators to use
Union Square, the traditional meeting point for protesters. This
did not stop thousands
of supporters from gathering in nearby Seventeenth Street.
June 19, 1953. |
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PARTICIPATE
Each year, on June 19th, the date of the
Rosenbergs' executions, the NCRRC holds a memorial gathering. The Committee
maintains a mailing list, issues newsletters, initiates and supports actions
to achieve its purpose. Please join us in helping to create a stronger
America with justice for all citizens regardless of race, religion, or
political
persuasion.
If you wish to send a letter or email to a representative or government
official, we have samples to be used verbatim or to help you get started
on your own. We also have a list of many useful addresses and easy access
to finding your representatives' addresses using your zip code. (see TAKE
ACTION)
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CONTRIBUTE
To make a donation to the Committee, please
make your check or money order to NCRRC. The address is:
XXXXIIXXXfiXX NCRRC
113 University Place
8th Floor
New York, NY 10003
mail@rosenbergtrial.org
When making a donation, please fill out
this FORM so that we can
keep in touch. |
For a contribution of $20 or more, and if you so request, we will send
you a full color 20" x 26" poster reproduction of Charles Keller's The
Martyrdom of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. This comes with an accompanying
12 page fact sheet about the case and the poster.
For a contribution of $12 or more, and if you so request, we will send
you four special items. These consist of a compact disc of the site and
three plastic laminated Rosenberg Case info-cards. One card includes a
Summary (see below) of this site on one side and on the other side can
be found the Rosenberg
collage. Two smaller info-cards each have a portrait of Ethel
or Julius Rosenberg on one side and a key to the collage
on the obverse side.
For a contribution of $27
or more, and if you so request, we will send you all of the above: the
Charles Keller poster with accompanying fact sheet, all three laminated
info-cards and a compact disc of this website.
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SUMMARY
For those who want a one page summary of
the Rosenberg case, click on the above link. This is an easy way to share
your enthusiasm about the site with others. It is also suitable to use
as an enclosure should you wish to write to a government official.
[Tech note: if the one page
summary does not fit on one page you will have to change the margins. This
is easy to do. Click on "File", then go down to and click on "Page Setup".
Type ".5" in each of the little margin boxes. Use the "Tab"
key to move on from one box to the next and when saving the ".5" in the
last box. Save your entry by clicking on the "OK" box below. If this does
not do it, email Rob or Dan
and we'll help you straighten things out (see other TECH
NOTES below).]
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MORTON
SOBELL
Morton Sobell, heroic fighter and defender
of Human Rights.
Half a century ago, while defending his
rights in the Rosenberg/Sobell case, Morton Sobell set a shining example
of courage, integrity and principle for all Americans by fighting the McCarthyism
and cold-war anti-communist hysteria and paranoia of that dark period.
He paid a horrible price for his defense of truth and justice, serving
over five years in America's hell-hole, Alcatraz prison, and thirteen long
years thereafter. But he returned unbroken, with his full mind, determined
to continue his efforts for human rights and social justice.
He's back at work, a living example to all, and we love him!
Ethel and Julius in happier times. 1942 |
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Tech Notes:
| Most of the photos on this site can be
clicked
on and will then link to a related photo or to a larger version of
the same photo.
Copyright notice: wherever possible we have
endeavored to contact the copyright owner and give credit for any material
not originated by the committee. However, if in error we have not properly
referenced material or included material under exclusive copyright, please
notify us and we will correct any omissions or promptly remove the material.
Website design by Rob
Goldman and Dan Hittner. Please
contact us regarding lost links, difficulty in viewing, or any other design/technical
matters related to this site. |
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been an execution for espionage, let alone conspiring to commit
espionage. And since then, many Americans have been convicted of spying
for the Soviet Union and other countries. Amazingly, some of these spies
were FBI and CIA agents. Yet, none of them have received a death sentence.
Because of the stigma attached to membership, many public service organizations
were destroyed. These organizations had defended civil rights and civil
liberties; supported affirmative action; and aided the poor, the minorities,
the under-privileged, the unemployed, the elderly and disabled, the ill
housed and ill fed. Although most of the McCarran Act was declared unconstitutional
and repealed by 1971, progressive party politics has been stifled to this
day.
