</s>4 1 strawberry area there, 2 Q And his speech was just generally a campaign 3 type? A His speech was Just a campaign speech. Jesse 4 5 Unruh was in the ear, and all the local politicians, and that's the -- 6 7 Q How big a crowd did he have that day? Just a 8 rough estimate. 9 A Oh, I wouldn't say that he had -- I really am 10 not a very good estimate on crowds. I don't know. I would 11 say that he probably had 10,000 people. It was not in my 12 estimation a large crowd. 13 From your experience in traveling with the Senator 14 and so forth, the crowd would be shall we say normal to what 16 a crowd would he for a campaignspeech? Anything unusual 16 that struck you as being different? 17 A No, I would say it was not as big. It Was a 18 quiet crowd. It would a family crowd. 19 Q How long were you there? 20 A Oh, we were probably there half hour. 21 And there again referring to the schedule, did 22 you arrive at the time the schedule showed? 23 A A don't recall, but I wouldsay we never arrived 24 anywhere on time because we were always late, And I would 25 say we were definitely later here, too. The plane always 26 came in an hour or so late. Form 618 (R-3-4)

Summary  
The documents detail events surrounding Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign activities in late May and early June 1968, including travel logistics, speeches at Disneyland and Lincoln Park, and a motorcade through Watts. On June 5, 1968, Kennedy was shot during a speech at the Ambassador Hotel, leading to immediate medical response, police involvement, and coordination with mortuary services (Pierce Brothers). Post-assassination activities included disputes over hearse arrangements, financial obligations for campaign-related services, and logistical planning for the Kennedy family’s departure from Los Angeles. Unrelated discussions also mention gun-related activities, including visits to a San Gabriel Valley Gun Club and firearm purchases by individuals like Ronald G. Williams.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: Central figure in campaign activities and assassination.  
- **Mrs. Kennedy**: Accompanied Kennedy during travel and events.  
- **Peter Smith**: Involved in post-assassination communication and logistics.  
- **Jerry Bruno**: Associated with Kennedy campaign logistical decisions.  
- **Leo Harris**: Vice president of Pierce Brothers Mortuary, coordinated hearse arrangements.  
- **Helen Keyes** and **Mr. Corbett**: Contacted regarding unpaid bills for services rendered.  
- **Mr. Weston** and **Mrs. Ripps**: Discussed financial disputes with Hertz Corporation and Air Transport.  
- **Sirhan**: Referred to as the individual resembling someone observed at a pistol range, possibly linked to the assassination.  
- **Ronald G. Williams**: Involved in gun-related activities; released under Executive Order 14176.  
- **Margie Thorn** and **Mr. White**: Associated with firearm purchases and club interactions.  

Key Locations  
- **Disneyland**, **Beverly Hills Hotel**, **Ambassador Hotel**, **Malibu**, **Watts**, **Long Beach Airport**, **Santa Ana Freeway**, **Pacific Coast Highway**: Key sites for campaign activities and travel.  
- **Pierce Brothers Mortuary (720 West Washington Boulevard)**: Site of hearse arrangements and mortuary services.  
- **Hospital**: Central location for handling Kennedy’s condition and body transport.  
- **Los Angeles Airport**: Final departure logistics for the Kennedy family and staff.  
- **San Gabriel Valley Gun Club**, **Temple City**, **El Monte, California**: Locations tied to firearm activities.  

Key Events  
- **Speeches at Disneyland and Lincoln Park** (May–June 1968): Part of RFK’s campaign activities.  
- **Motorcade through Watts**: Described as part of Kennedy’s travel itinerary.  
- **Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy** (June 5, 1968): Shooting at the Ambassador Hotel; immediate police and medical response.  
- **Hearse arrangements**: Disputes over premature death announcements leading to replacement of Pierce Brothers’ hearse.  
- **Body transport logistics**: Coordination with mortuary services and eventual departure to Los Angeles Airport.  
- **Financial disputes**: Unpaid bills totaling $11,775.72 for services rendered to the Kennedy campaign, including Hertz Truck Rental, Airport Transit, and Hertz Car Corporation.  
- **Gun-related activities**: Visits to a San Gabriel Valley Gun Club, firearm purchases, and interactions with dealers.  

Key Organizations  
- **Kennedy for President Committee**: Address listed for billing correspondence; central to campaign logistics.  
- **Pierce Brothers Mortuary**: Involved in hearse arrangements and body transport.  
- **Hertz Corporation**, **Airport Transit**, **Hertz Car Corporation**: Entities owed payment for services rendered.  
- **Los Angeles Police Department**: Mentioned as part of the response to the assassination.  
- **San Gabriel Valley Gun Club**: Tied to firearm-related activities involving Ronald G. Williams and others.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-t-z_sec_007_ser_1--part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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