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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conservative Protest Against ACLU
A Colin Edwards report from the site of a protest against the ACLU that insinuated the organization was nothing more than a Communist front intent on eroding "American ideals". Includes interviews with some of the picketers, questioning their stance and reasons for being there.
Oakland Induction Center Dec 18 1967
Colin Edwards street reporting on the pacifist protest at the Oakland Induction Center. Details the events of the day, on the spot interviews and police actions against the protesters.
Anti-War Rally April 27th 1968 Reel 2 [CD]
Date: 4/27/1968Call Number: CD 966Volume Number: Reel 2Format: CDProducers: 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.
