Homer Chase

Homer Bates Chase (c. 1917 – August 29, 1985) was an activist in the American Communist Party. He was the head of the Georgia Communist Party in the 1940s.

Homer Chase
Born
Homer Bates Chase
DiedAugust 29, 1985 (aged 68)
Hingham, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
MovementCommunism
Children5

Early life

Chase's ancestors first arrived in America in the 1600s. His parents, Fred B. and Elba Chase, were leaders in the American Communist Party in New Hampshire. Chase was born in Washington, New Hampshire. Chase fought for the Republicans in the Lincoln Battalion in the Spanish Civil War. He also fought in World War II.[1]

Communist activism

During the 1940s, Chase was the head of the Communist Party in Georgia. He participated in the early civil rights movement, campaigning for black people's right to vote.[2] While in Georgia, Chase was arrested after threatening to harm a 20-year-old member of the Communist Party if he divulged information regarding the party's operations.[3] He was defended by Klansman James Venable. In the late 1950s, he was section organizer for the New England party branch. In the 1960s, Chase denounced President Kennedy's foreign policy as a threat to world peace.[4]

Personal life

Chase had four daughters: Norah, Hannah Bates Cowen, Claudette Chase, and Rebecca Jo Kyle. He also had a son, Leonard Foster Chase.[1]

Death

Chase died in his sleep at his home in Hingham, Massachusetts, on August 29, 1985.[1]

References
  1. "Homer Bates Chase Is Dead: Active in Communist Party". September 1, 1985 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. "Homer B. Chase, the organizer of the Communist Party in Georgia is..." Getty Images.
  3. Images, Historic. "1949 Press Photo Al Battle & Homer B Chase Communist party leader of GA". Historic Images.
  4. "Letter from Homer B. and Rachel Chase to L'Humanité, May 5, 1961". credo.library.umass.edu.
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