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 We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings.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

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.
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.
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.
Oakland Induction Center Reel 2 Master October 18 1968 Oakland Induction Center Reel 2 Master October 18 1968
Date: 10/18/1968Call Number: CE 915Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Includes speeches against the war from multiple perspectives and representatives of groups and individuals, offering a nuanced and comprehensive condemnation of both the Vietnam War as well as war itself. Details the bodily harm inflicted on demonstrators by police brutality in response to a peaceful protest as well.
Oakland Induction Center Arrests Reel 1 Oakland Induction Center Arrests Reel 1
Date: 10/17/1968Call Number: CE 929Volume Number: Reel 1Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
The arrival of inductees and officers at the Oakland Induction Center are met with a daunting line of demonstrators and require a police escort. Colin Edwards narrates the back-and-forth between the different groups.
Oakland Induction Center Arrests: Reel 2 Oakland Induction Center Arrests: Reel 2
Date: 10/17/1968Call Number: CE 930Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
A continuation of "Colin's Reel 1- concluded." Further details the arrests at the Oakland Induction Center protests.
Arraignment of the Oakland 7 Arraignment of the Oakland 7
Date: 2/23/1968Call Number: CE 937Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Includes an interview with Oakland 7 spokesman Rhees Ehrlich and attorney Benjamin Dreyfus. Discusses not only the systemic backlash felt by the 7 individuals and the harshness of their experience but a multitude of different protest strategies as well.
Peace March SF Reel 2 Peace March SF Reel 2
Date: 4/27/1968Call Number: CE 929Volume Number: Reel 2Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Oakland Induction Center
Includes speeches given during the SF peace march on April 27, 1968, including a speech by Muhammad Ali.