Crowd of citizens gather outside the Hall of Justice to protest imprisonment of 10 of the "Los Angeles 21," November 1948, Los Angeles Hall of Justice, Los Angeles

Photograph of a crowd of citizens standing outside the Hall of Justice awaiting the release of 10 members of the "Los Angeles 21." On Oct. 24, 1948 at arpimd 7 a.m., 10 people were served subpoenas and ordered to testify before a federal grand jury investigating the Communist Party of Los Angeles. The 10 refused to answer any questions, citing their privilege against self-incrimination. Later that evening, a judge found the 10 people in contempt and sentenced them to jail for an unlimited term without bail. The 10 were released after more than a week in jail, but were ordered to answer another round of questions. Another 11 people were called before the grand jury and subjected to the same treatment. The Civil Rights Congress and other defenders of civil liberties organized protest rallies and waged a legal battle to release the Los Angeles 21 on bail