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 We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings.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

New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism

At midnight on October 17, 1984, more than 500 heavily armed members of the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) conducted a sweep across New York City, arresting eight Black revolutionaries: Omowale Clay, Coltrane Chimurenga, Viola Plummer, Colette Pean, Roger Wareham, Robert Taylor, Yvette Kelly, and Lateefah Carter. During the sweep, six residences were raided and their occupants–including a one year old infant--were held at gunpoint. In the 22 months leading up to the arrests the NY 8 were subjected to extensive surveillance including wire taps, video, and physical monitoring. 

The NY 8 won victory in a month-and-a-half battle for bail as the first people held under the new federal Preventive Detention Law (No Bail Act) which fundamentally turned around the presumption of innocence in making them prove their right to bail. They faced over 72 conspiracy charges for isolated, petty crimes that could not be legally considered on their own. So, they were linked together as predicate acts of a criminal enterprise, which laid the basis for the government to apply RICO, the Racketeering Influence Organization Act used against organized crime. In essence, the NY 8 were charged with conspiring to commit conspiracies.

Documents

New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism Statement New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism Statement
Publisher: New York 8 Against Fascist TerrorismDate: 10/25/1984Call Number: Format: StatementCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
Statement from New York 8 that were detained in a sweep of NYC that involved more than 500 FBI and local law enforcement agents. FBI agents claim the 8 were conspiring to break Kuwasi Balagoon and Sekou Odinga out of prison.
New York 8 Opening Statement New York 8 Opening Statement
Publisher: New York 8 Against Fascist TerrorismDate: 5/20/1985Call Number: Format: StatementCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
Opening Statement by Omowale Clay in the New York 8 case.The NY 8+ Against Fascist Terrorism were detained in a sweep of NYC that involved more than 500 FBI and local law enforcement agents. FBI agents claim the 8 were conspiring to break Kuwasi Balagoon and Sekou Odinga out of prison.
New York 8 Articles / News Clippings New York 8 Articles / News Clippings
Year: 1985Call Number: Format: CompilationCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
- Assorted news clippings regarding the NY 8 Case - Son of Brinks: A Case of Terrorism-Or Talk by Jonathan Z. Larsen New York Magazine (5/6/1985)
Free the New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism Brochure Free the New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism Brochure
Publisher: NY Eight Against Fascist Terrorism Defense CommitteeCall Number: Format: EphemeraCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
This brochure provides some background on the arrest of the NY 8, explaining who they are and what they were charged with. The brochure frames the arrests within the larger context of government crackdowns on dissent through recently passed legislation and articulates how readers can support the case.
Free the New York 8 Flyer Free the New York 8 Flyer
Publisher: New York 8 Defense CommitteeCall Number: Format: FlyerCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
A flyer describing the arrest of the New York 8 and how activists and friends of the Black Liberation Movement can support their defense.
We Honor Our Freedom Fighters We Honor Our Freedom Fighters
Publisher: Mobilization Committee Against Police BrutalityCall Number: Format: FlyerCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
A flyer providing a detailed account and some analysis of the raids and arrests of the New York 8 on October 17, 1984.
Closing Statements & The Verdict: Trial of the New York 8+ Closing Statements & The Verdict: Trial of the New York 8+
Publisher: N.Y. 8+ Defense CommitteeCall Number: Format: PamphletCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
Portions of the closing arguments of the defense, including a full transcript of Omowale Clay's summation, printed and released in this pamphlet following the non-guilty verdict of the New York 8+.
Black Nation's Freedom Fighters JAILED Black Nation's Freedom Fighters JAILED
Publisher: New York 8 Defense CommitteeCall Number: Format: FlyerCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
A flyer including photos of the New York 8, with information on the back regarding non-collaboration with the grand jury and calling for support.
The Trial is Coming... Flyer The Trial is Coming... Flyer
Publisher: N.Y. 8 Defense CommitteeYear: 1985Call Number: Format: FlyerCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
A flyer with the people's indictment of the United States Government (New York 8 and the Black Nation vs. United States Government) for committing and continuing to conspire willfully, unlawfully, and knowingly acts of murder, brutality, and terror against Black people. The flyer raises awareness for the case of the NY 8 and calls for support through attending the trial.
Mobilization Committee Against Police Brutality Mobilization Committee Against Police Brutality
Publisher: Mobilization Committee Against Police BrutalityCall Number: Format: FlyerCollection: New York 8 Against Fascist Terrorism
The Mobilization Committee Against Police Brutality was formed to organize communities against police attacks. This flyer includes the group's principles of unity and political program of mobilization, political education, and self-defense.