Felmet, Joseph, 1921-1994

Joseph Felmet received an A.B. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1942. He was arrested on numerous occasions for his pacifisim during World War II and social activism later.

From the description of Joseph Felmet papers, 1941-1989. WorldCat record id: 26243291

Joseph Felmet was born in 1921 in Asheville, North Carolina. As a student, he was chair of the American Student Union, a group that was active in the effort to secure civil rights for blacks. Felmet's passion for civil rights led him to take part in the Journey for Reconciliation in 1947, an early attempt by civil rights advocates to test the Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation in interstate travel. During this demonstration, Felmet was arrested for violating Orange County's segregation laws. Felmet left the American Student Union for political reasons, and later joined the Workers Defense League to help promote civil rights. His activities with this group led to his arrest for protesting the treatment of black migrant workers in Miami, Florida.

Felmet's pacificism precluded military service in World War II. Obtaining a deferment, he was assigned to civil service duty. Believing that this assignment did not recognize his position as a conscientious objector to the war, he successfully petitioned for reclassification of his draft status. After being drafted, he refused to serve. Convicted of draft evasion, his sentence was suspended with the provision that Felmet work in a hospital for nine months.

Felmet's application to take the North Carolina bar exam was rejected in 1948, the Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina believing that Felmet would not uphold the law in cases in which his moral convictions conflicted with the law. Felmet tried to rally support behind his appeal, but was unsuccessful.

In 1976, Felmet ran for Congress and was defeated. He attempted to mount a campaign for a Senate seat in 1976, but his unorthodox campaigning style made it difficult for him to obtain the funds and recognition required for a successful campaign.

From the guide to the Joseph Felmet Papers, 1941-1989, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)