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Welcome to the Freedom Archives' Digital Search Engine.The Freedom Archives contains over 12,000 hours of audio and video recordings which date from the late-1960s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international movements. We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings. Our collection includes weekly news, poetry, music programs; in-depth interviews and reports on social and cultural issues; numerous voices from behind prison walls; diverse activists; and pamphlets, journals and other materials from many radical organizations and movements.

Oakland Induction Center

During the Vietnam War young male draftees would arrive at the Oakland Induction Center on Clay Street for processing and  physical exams. Throughout this period, anti-war activists would conduct protests outside the Induction Center. Much of our collection centers on street reporting from Colin Edwards during Stop the Draft Week 1967. In California, Stop the Draft Week organizers led 3000 marchers to the Oakland Induction Center on October 16, 1967. When marchers refused police orders to leave, police attacked them with nightsticks, injuring 20. On the second day, demonstrators returned to the Induction Center, and this time 97 were arrested. On the third day, 10,000 protesters arrived, this time retreating in orderly fashion but also successfully blocking streets as they departed.This collection also includes coverage of the mutiny on the Coral Sea, anti-war demonstrations and speeches on the UC Berkeley campus, audio excerpts from a protest at Port Chicago and other anti-war content.

Documents

Marine Reaction at Port Chicago Protests [mp3] Marine Reaction at Port Chicago Protests [mp3]
Call Number: Format: mp3Collection: Oakland Induction Center
Audio excerpt of Marine reaction to anti-war protesters at Port Chicago.
Port Chicago Anti-War Protests [mp3] Port Chicago Anti-War Protests [mp3]
Call Number: Format: mp3Collection: Oakland Induction Center
Audio excerpt of Colin Edward's providing background information about the anti-war protests at Port Chicago.
Anti-War Rally April 27th 1968 Reel 2 Anti-War Rally April 27th 1968 Reel 2
Date: 4/27/1968Call Number: CE 928Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A continuation of speeches and rallying cries recorded at the April 27th rally which followed a Peace March. This reel also contains a speech from Muhammad Ali speaking to the need for Black unity under one leader.
Anti-War Rally April 27th 1968 Reel 1 Anti-War Rally April 27th 1968 Reel 1
Date: 4/27/1968Call Number: CE 927Volume Number: Reel 1Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
This recording follows a march against the Vietnam War (in memory of Martin Luther King). Admiral Truth: Discusses political lies, the right to national self-determination, speaks out against the draft and neo-colonialism. Includes the lead-in to the Muhammad Ali speech on the second tape.
Phone-in report from Oakland Induction Center Phone-in report from Oakland Induction Center
Date: 4/23/1968Call Number: CE 925Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A summation of the events of a demonstration held on April 23, 1968 in front of the Oakland Induction Center. This tape details police tactics that include the targeting of leaders of the anti-War movement based purely on identification alone in an attempt to suppress the movement.
Oct 16 Demo Oakland Induction Center Reel 1 Oct 16 Demo Oakland Induction Center Reel 1
Date: 10/16/1967Call Number: CE 903Volume Number: Reel 1Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A description of a picket blocking the Oakland Induction Center. Includes an interview with picketers, particularly Joan Baez, a prominent singer and activist of the time. Interviews with protesters following the abduction of multiple picketers by police, as well as the impact of the protests on those in the process of being drafted.
Oct 16 Demo Oakland Induction Center Reel 2 Oct 16 Demo Oakland Induction Center Reel 2
Date: 10/16/1967Call Number: CE 904Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Outlines the series of events connected to both demonstrators and the sit-ins they staged in front of the Oakland Induction Center in order to stop the registering of Vietnam War draftees. Also includes narrative pertaining to both police brutality and the targeted arrests of protesters.
Oakland Induction Center KPFA Coverage Oakland Induction Center KPFA Coverage
Publisher: KPFA RadioDate: 10/17/1967Call Number: CE 906Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
With coverage beginning at 7am with a news broadcast, this details demonstrations of protest against the Vietnam War signified by individuals attempting to turn in their draft cards. This protest was also met with police brutality by both the Oakland Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, as well as a businessman attempting to affect citizens arrest on protesters attempting to turn in their draft cards.
Additions/ Oakland Induction Center Oct 17 1967 Additions/ Oakland Induction Center Oct 17 1967
Date: 10/17/1967Call Number: CE 913Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A clash between peaceful protesters and the Oakland police, as well as other law enforcement agents deployed to repress protests at the Oakland Induction Center.
Picket line Protest at Oakland Induction Center 1968 Picket line Protest at Oakland Induction Center 1968
Date: 10/18/1968Call Number: CE 914Volume Number: Reel 1Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
An account of the protest that occurred on October 18, 1968 in front of the Oakland Induction Center, as well as interviews with people who participated in the protest.