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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 We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings.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

Berkeley Train Incident Actuality/Anti-Vietnam War appeals to Mexican Ship Berkeley Train Incident Actuality/Anti-Vietnam War appeals to Mexican Ship
Date: 9/5/1965Call Number: CE 897Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
The Vietnam Day Committee, a group of organizing activists bent on not only symbolically objecting to the war but also taking the direct action to disrupt the cogs of war, attempts to appeal to the crew of the El Maxicano ship, in Spanish. The protest not only was meant to call out the criminal and imperialist Vietnam War but also to speak against the criminal exploitation of foreign labor. The second piece of the reel deals with a summation of the sequence of protests against the Vietnam War held at the Berkeley campus against the back drop of a New McCarthy era looming on campus.
Reagan University of California Berkeley State of Emergency Announcement Reagan University of California Berkeley State of Emergency Announcement
Date: 5/1969Call Number: CE 930Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Includes statements on protests, students, Cal, and People's Park by Governor Reagan.
Protest Against CIA At UC Berkeley Protest Against CIA At UC Berkeley
Date: 11/7/1967Call Number: CE 919Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A protest against the CIA as well as covert interests being present on the UC Berkeley campus.
UC Rally (the Day Before) Oakland Induction Center Protests UC Rally (the Day Before) Oakland Induction Center Protests
Date: 10/17/1967Call Number: CE 912Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A recording of the rally that preceded the following day's protest at the Oakland Induction Center. Taking place in Berkeley the agenda of the rally informs demonstrators of what the goals for the next day will be as well as what to expect from police and other law enforcement agents.
Oakland Induction Center Oakland Induction Center
Date: 10/17/1967Call Number: CE 907Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Starts with teach-in on October 16th on the UC Berkeley campus. A narration of the events that led to the closing of the UC Berkeley campus and the response by students who felt their right to freedom of speech had been taken away. Then proceeds to describe the October 17th Oakland Induction protest and the response by police, and the initial clash between demonstrators and Oakland Police. Including interviews with people (including a doctor) brutalized by police. Other incidents include a man crashing his car into demonstrators.
Spring Mobilization '67 Reel 1 Spring Mobilization '67 Reel 1
Date: 4/15/1967Call Number: CE 901Volume Number: Reel 1Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Begins with a brief deliberation by Reagan on the limitations of dissent. Continues to a narration of Colin Edwards detailing the spring mobilization against the Vietnam War in San Francisco.
Spring Mobilization '67 Reel 2 Spring Mobilization '67 Reel 2
Date: 4/15/1967Call Number: CE 902Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A continuation of the first reel, with details and strategies that organizers of the protest that would be happening the next day outlined.
UC Mill-In 2 of 2 UC Mill-In 2 of 2
Date: 11/29/1967Call Number: CE 920Volume Number: Tape 2Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Colin Edwards narrates a demonstration (mill-in) at the UC Berkeley campus on November 29th, as well as a confrontation within the Dean's office. Features the Dean's response to the demonstration as well as his attempts to placate the demonstrators.
November 30th UC Berkeley Unrest November 30th UC Berkeley Unrest
Date: 11/30/1966Call Number: CE 898Format: variesProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Vietnam Navy Table Protest Documentary; Professor AM Lunden and Gonzalez-Rubio; Newsmen find themselves under police scrutiny at student press conference.