John Birch Society
The John Birch Society is an ultra-conservative U.S organization which was founded in California in 1958 to fight the perceived threat of Communism.It represents itself as "a membership-based organization dedicated to restoring and preserving freedom under the United States Constitution." It states that its members come from all walks of life and are active throughout the 50 states as part of local chapters. The Society invites all Americans to explore its website, learn more about the John Birch Society, and consider joining with in its mission to achieve: "Less Government, More Responsibility, and – With God's Help – a Better World."
The John Birch Society advocates the abolition of income tax, and the repeal of civil rights legislation, which it sees as being Communist in inspiration. For this reason, its opponents characterise it as a white citizens' society dedicated to preventing minorities from gaining political power.
The John Birch Society was founded by Robert Welch, named in honor of John Morrison Birch, killed in 1945 by the Chinese communists and dubbed "the first American victim of the Cold War" by the Society. A later John Birch Society chairman, US Representative Dr. Larry McDonald, was killed in the KAL-007 shootdown. The current chairman is John F. McManus.
At one time, the John Birch Society was very powerful and members included the most prominent residents of California including the Knott family.
It publishes a biweekly magazine, The New American.
