By Mondo Times editors
Boulder Colorado USA
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 2:21pm

Photographer Ernest Withers Doubled as FBI Informant to Spy on Civil Rights Movement

-- The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on September 12, 2010:

"The April 10, 1968, report, which identifies Withers only by his confidential informant number -- ME 338-R -- is among numerous reports reviewed by The Commercial Appeal that reveal a covert, previously unknown side of the beloved photographer who died in 2007 at age 85.

Those reports portray Withers as a prolific informant who, from at least 1968 until 1970, passed on tips and photographs detailing an insider's view of politics, business and everyday life in Memphis' black community.

As a foot soldier in J. Edgar Hoover's domestic intelligence program, Withers helped the FBI gain a front-row seat to the civil rights and anti-war movements in Memphis.

Much of his undercover work helped the FBI break up the Invaders, a Black Panther-styled militant group that became popular in disaffected black Memphis in the late 1960s and was feared by city leaders.

Yet, Withers focused on mainstream Memphians as well."

The full story:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/12/photographer-ernest-withers-fbi-informant/

Go to the Memphis Commercial Appeal profile for more information about this newspaper, including background, ownership, links, ratings, and reviews.

To submit a Memphis Commercial Appeal review:

• Log in now if you are a Mondo Times member.
• If you are not a member, register for a free Mondo Times basic membership.

You can also see the latest Mondo Times media news & reviews.