People's Bicentennial Commission
The People's Bicentennial Commission (PBC) continued organizing after their appearance in Concord. They held a similar event to protest the US Bicentennial on the National Mall the following summer. The Vietnam War ended only days after the Concord Fight Bicentennial, but the PBC continued to advocate for nuclear disarmament, economic democracy, and an end to war and violence worldwide. The imagery of the American Revolution, such as the Gadsden flag ("Don't Tread on Me"), represented their belief that nuclear stockpiling and corporate greed were contrary to the values on which the country was founded.
Folk singer Pete Seeger performing at the PBC events in Concord, 1975.
Anti-war speaker and scientist George Wald speaking at the PBC events in Concord, 1975.
The Persuasions perform at the PBC events in Concord, 1975.
The PBC marches over the North Bridge carrying a large American flag and a sign reading "Lay off profits not people," 1975.
PBC protestors cordoned off at the North Bridge with a sign reading "New American Movement," 1975.
A PBC protestor holds a sign reading "Tax rebate won't clean your slate, Jerry," 1975.
A food stall at the PBC protest with the sign "Food for Thought," 1975.
A PBC sign placed in a tree which reads "Washington, wake up! Federal subsidies? STOP giving the rich our tax $! Jobs now!", 1975
A large sign on a scaffold reading "Economic Democracy," 1975.
PBC protestors with signs reading "Send a message to Wall Street," "John Hancock never sold life insurance," and "Economic democracy," 1975.
PBC protestors climbing scaffolds to hang effigies, 1975.
A PBC protestor is apprehended by police while attempting to gesture at the speakers, 1975.
Police officers stand close to a crowd of PBC protestors by the river, 1975.
PBC protestors unfurl an "Economic democracy" banner while police officers approach, 1975.
PBC protestors unfurl banners while police stand close, 1975.
Mounted police move toward a large crowd of PBC protestors, 1975.
The PBC and their leader, Jeremy Rifkin, were eventually investigated for claims of alleged communist affiliation. The Committee on the Judiciary, whose Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act and Other Internal Security Laws carried out the investigation, published "The Attempt to Steal the Bicentennial: The People's Bicentennial Commission." The report contains exhibits of the PBC's publications, flyers, and more.
"The Attempt to Steal the Bicentennial: The People's Bicentennial Commission," conducted by the Committee on the Judiciary, 1976.
A newspaper ad published by the PBC in their newspaper, Common Sense, criticizing two-party electoral politics.
Two excerpts from the PBC's newspaper, Common Sense, used as exhibits in the committee report. The image on the left shows President Gerald Ford speaking at the North Bridge with the headline, "Why Aren't These Men Smiling?" The image on the right announces the PBC's plans to protest in Concord.