The Amsterdam News (also known as New York Amsterdam News) is a weekly Black-owned newspaper serving New York City.
History[]
In 1939, June Abar wrote an article for the Amsterdam News, about Will Reeves' graduation from the New York Police Academy and induction to the 113th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.[1]
In 1954, the House Un-American Activities Committee demanded that all masked vigilantes reveal their identities to the government. Reeves, wanting to protect his racial identity from the public, refused to comply. Reeves, as Hooded Justice, spoke out about his decision in an ad published in the Amsterdam News in which he stated "At this time, I am not prepared to share my truth to the world. And I will certainly not bow to the bullying of this racist Congress. For as long as the structures of law and order are controlled by corrupt elites whose singular, cyclopean focus is to protect and fortify the interests and flourishing of the ruling majority, I will never surrender my mission to help the invisible and the oppressed."
In an interview with the Amsterdam News, Will Reeves stated that he "praised" Hooded Justice for speaking to the concerns of the black community, however, he believed that it's time for HJ and the other Minutemen to retire from vigilantism and allow the police to do their job in policing, believing that the public deserved watchmen they can trust.[2]
Trivia[]
- The New York Amsterdam News is a real-life newspaper for the African American community in New York City. Established in 1909, it's one of the oldest newspapers in the United States.
