U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Muhammad Ali’s Draft Evasion Conviction in 1971

Created by Bob Helmbrecht, collection development librarian

Fifty years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali in the case of Clay v. United States. In 1966, Ali was classified as draft-eligible. He then stated that he considered himself a conscientious objector and would not serve if drafted.

He stated that as a Muslim, he would “take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or the Messenger.” He also famously asked “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?”

His application for conscientious objector status was denied by his local draft board, and the Kentucky State Appeal Board, without explanation. Ali moved to Texas, where his appeal was again denied. In April of 1967, he was scheduled to be inducted but refused. He was stripped of his title by the World Boxing Association and of his boxing license by the New York State Athletic Commission and others. He was convicted in June of a felony of refusing the draft.

Ali continued to appeal, and the case eventually reached the Supreme Court. His conviction was overturned by a unanimous vote of 8-0, with the Court citing technical errors by the Justice Department as the reason.  

You can read all about the case in the books “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight: Cassius Clay vs. The United States of America” by Howard L. Bingham and Max Wallace and “Sting Like a Bee: Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 1966-1971” by Leigh Montville. You can also learn much more about Ali in many books in the Library’s collection.

Based on more than 500 interviews, including Muhammad Ali’s closest associates, and enhanced by access to thousands of pages of newly released FBI records, this is a thrilling story of a man who became one of the great figures of the 20th century.​

Muhammad Ali’s daughter captures the legendary heavyweight boxing champion, Olympic Gold medalist, activist, and philanthropist as never before in this candid and intimate family memoir, based on personal recordings he kept throughout his adult life.

No one was closer to Muhammad Ali than his brother and best friend, Rahaman. The two grew up together, lived together, trained together, and fought together. In this book, Rahaman offers an insider’s perspective on the well-known Ali stories as well as never-before-told tales, painting an intimate portrait of an iconic figure.

Heavyweight boxing champ and outrageous poet, Muhammad Ali reveals the man behind the gloves.