Twin Effigy of President Robinson and Italian Premier Mussolini at Protest
Item
Title
Twin Effigy of President Robinson and Italian Premier Mussolini at Protest
Description
This photograph from a November 20, 1934 rally at City College (CCNY), features a student-made, two-headed effigy of CCNY President Frederick B. Robinson and Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini. After being paraded around campus throughout the morning's demonstration, the seven-foot-tall cardboard piece was burned amidst student cries of "Smoke Robby out."
The event was held to demand the reinstatement of twenty-one expelled students as well as the removal of Robinson. The twenty-one were expelled following an anti-fascist rally on October 9th. The expulsions were not the first issued by Robinson who regularly faced accusations of stifling free expression from left-leaning student groups and organizations. Robinson's effigy depicts him in academic regalia grasping the umbrella with which he struck students at a rally in the prior year.
The event was held to demand the reinstatement of twenty-one expelled students as well as the removal of Robinson. The twenty-one were expelled following an anti-fascist rally on October 9th. The expulsions were not the first issued by Robinson who regularly faced accusations of stifling free expression from left-leaning student groups and organizations. Robinson's effigy depicts him in academic regalia grasping the umbrella with which he struck students at a rally in the prior year.
Creator
Herald Tribune
Source
CCNY Archives & Special Collections
Date
November 21, 1934
Contributor
Smith, Carol
Rights
Copyrighted
Original Format
Photograph
Relation
4032
4022
Herald Tribune. “Twin Effigy of President Robinson and Italian Premier Mussolini at Protest”. 4032, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/569