The Echo​ 

from Dealey Plaza

The true story of the first African American on the White House Secret Service detail and his quest for justice after the assassination of JFK 

 

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: OCASOMEDIA-305-396-2806

A gripping and unforgettable true story of bravery and patriotism in the face of bitter hatred.

Abraham Bolden was a young African American Secret Service agent in Chicago when he was asked by John F. Kennedy himself to join the White House Secret Service detail. For Bolden, it was a dream come true–and an encouraging sign of the charismatic president’s vision for a new America. But the dream quickly turned sour.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: OCASOMEDIA-305-396-2806

"I actually heard some agents say, 'I wouldn't give my life for President Kennedy"

Bolden found himself regularly subjected to open hostility and blatant racism, and he was appalled by the White House team’s irresponsible approach to security. In the wake of JFK’s assassination, Bolden sought to expose the agency’s negligence, only to find himself the victim of a sinister conspiracy.The Echo from Dealey Plaza is the story of the terrible price paid by one man for his commitment to truth and justice.

Abraham Bolden has been on a quest to clear his name after he complained to Secret Service supervisors about security concerns he witnessed that put JFK in danger and later, after the president was assassinated, Bolden was railroaded into prison over trumped up counterfeiting related charges-accusations later recanted by a states witness who assisted the prosecution. His arrest happened as he was about to meet with the Warren Commission to voice his concerns. After President Kennedy met Abraham in Chicago´s McCormack Place (at the door to the basement Men´s Room where he was assigned) and offered him the chance to be at the White House detail he became the first African American to work on the White House Secret Service detail.

Abe Bolden Sr. still seeks justice after 42 years

What he saw on the Secret Service detail deeply bothered him. As quoted from Jack Goudie of the Daily Herald: " "...from the day he arrived in Washington in 1961, Bolden says he believes "the president's life was in grave danger." The threat wasn't just "assassins who were organized … following the president everywhere." Bolden believes it also was his fellow agents. He says they would routinely drink alcohol before, during and after presidential events. Once, this resulted in agents being expelled from Chicago's Playboy Club and compromised Kennedy's safety, he says. "They were in no condition once the plane landed to actually protect the president," Bolden says he told his supervisors. "Their reflexes are going to be in a condition that they won't be able to respond. And Dallas, Texas, proved that I was right."

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: OCASOMEDIA-305-396-2806

Abraham Bolden is also available for speaking engagements​

Abe Bolden reported security issues to his Supervisors

"I actually heard some agents say, 'I wouldn't give my life for President Kennedy. If there were shots fired, I would duck because he is screwing up the country. He is letting these colored people screw up the country. He's letting them go to school together.' "

"When those shots were fired, that attitude came to fruition," he contends. "If you look at all of the pictures of the assassination, those agents' feet are glued to the running board. Their duty was to move and protect the life of President Kennedy."