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 We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings.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

Oakland Seven [DVD] Oakland Seven [DVD]
Date: 10/18/2010Call Number: V 869Format: DVDProducers: Russ WatkinsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Transfer from 16mm prints of anti-draft demonstrations in Oakland, CA in 1968.
Coral Seas Revolt Coral Seas Revolt
Date: 11/19/1971Call Number: CE 931Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ips full trackProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Includes not only a comprehensive detail of the factors and events that culminated in the Coral Seas Revolt, but discusses the reluctance to cooperate in war that many sailors felt, and the punishment delivered by higher ranking officers. In addition there are interviews with sailors and organizers of the revolt.
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.
Rally April 23, 1968 Reel 2 Rally April 23, 1968 Reel 2
Date: 4/23/1968Call Number: CE 926Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Details a police stand-off with protesters, as well as accounts of the worsening systemic conditions and the severity of both police response and legal charges.
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.
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.
Joan Baez in Court December 20, 1967 Joan Baez in Court December 20, 1967
Date: 12/20/1967Call Number: CE 923Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Contains a brief interview with Joan Baez discussing both her strategy of civil disobedience as well as her reasons for standing against war.
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.
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.