David McReynolds: still fighting for peace at age 80
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

NEW YORK — In October, 1929, two events that would change U.S. history occurred: the New York Stock Exchange crashed, triggering the Great Depression — and peace activist David McReynolds was born. While McReynolds has hinted that some of his critics see a causal relationship between his birth and the Crash, he is nonetheless held in high regard by activists, scholars and even some economists — albeit of the socialist variety.

McReynolds, a longtime member of the War Resisters League and the Socialist Party, was the first openly gay man to run for President of the United States (1980). He is very well known in the peace movement and well respected for his anti-authoritarian brand of pacifist-socialism. Since 2005, he has worked as a strategist with Witness Against Torture, a religious group looking to close the infamous Guantanamo penal colony run by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Task Force (JTF-GTMO).

Jazz great William Parker
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

On Saturday, November 7, members of the War Resisters League and Witness Against Torture held a gala event “To honor and celebrate David McReynolds on his 80th birthday.” The event included a performance by folk singers Charlie King and Karen Brandow, and some free jazz from double bassist William Parker. Also on the bill: reflections from McReynolds’ younger brother Martin, poetry by William Leo Coakley and Chris Brandt, and commentary by a number of veteran peace activists.

It was an emotional night for many.

Martin McReynolds: still looking up to his big brother
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

A visibly moved Martin McReynolds told the crowd that “I started life standing on a bunk bed looking up to David, and I’m still looking up to him.”

Most of the speakers have known McReynolds for some time.

Organizer John Breitbart quipped that, as he has only known McReynolds for 30 years, he must be one of his “more recent friends.”

Catholic Worker Tom Cornell has known McReynolds for 50 years
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Tom Cornell, who burned his draft card with McReynolds at a public ceremony in 1965, told NLN that “Dave invited me and my friend Lorne Meyer to visit his apartment on East Fourth Street – how many years ago? Over 50. He’s still got the same apartment and we are still in the same conversation.”

Housing activist Frances Goldin described David’s softer side.

Housing activist Frances Goldin: David is so reasonable
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“David was able to reach the people that I thought were the bad guys. He’s so reasonable, he’s so understanding of other people’s issues and how to reach them, that he became a levelling influence in our community,” she said.

Vietnam War veteran Greg Payton
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“David sure enough, he came over to Newark and we went through the hood, we was hanging in the hood. Two home boys riding down the street,” said Vietnam veteran and war resister Greg Payton, describing the lengths McReynolds will go to in order to understand the other person’s situation.

Peace activist Leslie Cagan noted that the evening was a type of celebration that should happen more often. More unsung heroes should be recognized by their peers in the peace movement — during their lifetimes.

A number of speakers commented that 80 years was not enough — urging David McReynolds to stick around for at least another 80.

“Happy 80th Birthday”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The Daily Gotham’s Daniel Millstone expressed the sentiments of many when he told McReynolds, “Happy Birthday David, this is a wonderful year to begin a whole new career in nonviolence.”

View COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE of the Event: Videos and Photos…