60 Years Ago Today - Oswald Publicizes His Presence to Cuban Intelligence

Part 31

Encouraged by Arnold Johnson of the Communist Party USA, Lee Harvey Oswald immediately took clever steps to win publicity for his pro-Castro efforts in New Orleans.

On Monday, 5 August, he made a visit to a shop in the French Quarter run by Carlos Bringuier, a Cuban exile and well-known anti-Castro activist. Oswald introduced himself as a like-minded supporter of anti-Castro causes. His real purpose, however, was to recognize Bringuier by sight and vice versa.

On the afternoon of 9 August, sixty years ago today, Oswald positioned himself just down the street from the shop, baiting Bringuier by carrying a Viva Fidel sign and passing out pro-Castro leaflets. Sure enough, Bringuier fell for it and a commotion ensued. He was about to punch Oswald but held up when Oswald crossed his arms and said, “Okay, Carlos, if you want to hit me, hit me.”

The police arrived and arrested Oswald as well as Bringuier and two associates for disturbing the peace. Questioned by police officers in the same room, Bringuier noted with suspicion how self-possessed and confident Oswald was. The police detective in charge suspected that Oswald had set Bringuier up.

The three Cubans posted bail and were released. Oswald spent the night in jail. At their court appearance the following Monday, Bringuier was able to get the charges against him and his associates dropped. Oswald simply pleaded guilty and paid the $10 fine.

The prize for Oswald was the short press report that appeared in the New Orleans newspaper the next day. The report gave his name and address, noted that he was distributing “Fair Play for Cuba” pamphlets, that anti-Castro Cubans had tried to stop him, that all charges against the Cubans had been dropped but that Oswald had been convicted.

Oswald was immensely pleased because his pro-Cuba bona fides had been publicly confirmed. The same day, he sent a copy of the press report to Arnold Johnson at the CPUSA. Importantly, Oswald could be confident that Cuban intelligence officers secretly present in New Orleans would notice the report and would have his address.