Chuck Eppinette papers, 1963-1991

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Summary

Creator:
Eppinette, Chuck, 1950- and Human Rights Archive (Duke University)
Abstract:
Activist and participant in a variety of social justice initiatives in North Carolina. The Chuck Eppinette papers span the years from 1963 to 1991 and consist primarily of legal documents linked to the work of Farm Workers Legal Aid of North Carolina and activist publications distributed by the Southern Student Organizing Committee among other groups.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13112

Background

Scope and content:

The Chuck Eppinette papers span the years from 1963 to 1991 and consist primarily of legal documents and activist publications.

Legal documents include depositions, trial transcripts, and other materials related to cases in which Farm Workers Legal Aid of North Carolina played a role. Specific cases documented include USA v. Booker, Robbins, and Gilbert and Jones v. North Carolina Prisoners' Union.

Activist publications include materials distributed by the Southern Student Organizing Committee and other student groups, antiwar movement booklets and serials focused on US military actions and foreign policy in Vietnam and Latin America, farm worker solidarity publications, and GI movement serials.

Biographical / historical:

William Charles "Chuck" Eppinette, Jr. played roles in a variety of social justice initiatives in North Carolina from the 1960s to the 1980s. As a student at North Carolina State University, Eppinette became involved in the antiwar movement. After facing trial for draft resistance, he was recruited to act as an outside representative for the North Carolina Prisoners' Labor Union in the 1970s. Eppinette subsequently did outreach work for Farm Workers Legal Services of North Carolina from the late 1970s to the early 1980s.

Farm Workers Legal Services of North Carolina was involved in the case of United States v. Tony Booker in the 1970s. Tony Booker, along with J.D. Rollins and Tony Gibson, was tried and convicted of kidnapping two people with the intent to hold them as slaves. Gary Walters and Joseph Romeo were two farm workers who believed they were being hired for regular work through Booker's agricultural labor camp, but were then forbidden from leaving the camp and beaten when they tried to leave. Farm Workers Legal Services assisted the two men in leaving the camp and was involved in the subsequent legal case and Booker's appeal, which was rejected.

The North Carolina Prisoners' Labor Union incorporated in 1974. Chuck Eppinette worked with inmates and was involved in the union's organization. Prison administration in the state tried to shut down the union; a federal district court supported the union's right to exist. The state appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 1977 the Supreme Court ruled against the union, holding that prison inmates do not have a right to organize a union under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Sources: 'Prisoners' organizations were thought to be dangerous.', Scalawag,org.

United States of America, Appellee, v. Tony Booker, Appellant.united States of America, Appellee, v. J. D. Rollins, Appellant, 655 F.2d 562 (4th Cir. 1981), Justia.

Jones v. North Carolina Prisoners' Union, Wikipedia.

Acquisition information:
The Chuck Eppinette papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2024.
Processing information:

Processed by Will Runyan, December, 2024

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2024-0057

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Chuck Eppinette papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m14t8t