Vietnam
This collection features a variety of sources which focus on the Vietnam anti-war movement and the Vietnamese liberation struggle. Our collection includes voices of a movement which sought to end the war in Vietnam and support the Vietnamese struggle for self-determination against French and United States imperialism. These sources sought to provide a genuine glimpse into the reality of the Vietnam War, which was often ignored by the United States government and the mainstream media. Included in this collection are first hand encounters of the war, flyers for Bay Area anti-war actions, information on Vietnamese political prisoners, stories of how the war affected the women of Vietnam, and anti-war art. Many of these sources are derived from Bay Area organizations. Our collection includes print as well as audio materials.
Documents
10 Documents Found
Real Dragon
Date: 6/1/1972Call Number: CD 886Format: CDProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude MarksProgram: Real DragonCollection: Vietnam
Broadcast begins with a quote by a 15th century Vietnamese hero: "Love of Possession is a Disease" News coverage includes United States mining rice fields in Vietnam in an attempt to keep people from working the fields and bombing provinces with refugee camps; fighting in Cambodia; (Report by Larry Bensky with a spokesperson, Ngo Vinh Long, and others---Vietnamese students present a statement at the San Francisco consulate demanding communication with Saigon, release of all political prisoners, Thieu resign at once, and the dismantling of the repressive Saigon regime, US support for Thieu should be terminated. The demonstrators were mostly Vietnamese student recipients of scholarships from the Agency of International Development, which also supports prisons in Vietnam. The demonstrators were threatened with the revocation of visas) [about 4 minutes, approx 3:00–7:00]; Kissinger's return to the U.S. after a trip to Beijing but no agreement was made about Vietnam; Israeli attacks made on Lebanon by sinking Lebanese boats said to have been carrying Palestinian guerilla forces; Heavy bombings in Northern Ireland; Democratic National Headquarters was bugged; court ruling on illegal wiretaps; Former CIA agent employed by the Republican National Committee was caught while bugging the headquarters; Repressive preparations for Republican Convention (Jerry Rubin actuality); 2 bombings in Berkeley Don Church does not appear for trial; Gay rights issues in Miami Beach, Florida; PG&E trucks destroyed by arson in San Francisco; San Francisco demonstration against American Medical Association for favoring a system that requires charging for health care rather than it being a free service & also that the availability of health care is uneven—Red Star Singers songs and report on the demonstration, Tom Bodenheimer comment and other actuality, Stephanie Klein case; Hopi delegation to UN ecology conference in Stockholm, use their own passports; San Quentin 6 awaiting trial, David Johnson article is quoted from, re Vietnam, Luis "Bato" Talamantez reports on beating of 3 of San Quentin 6 by prison guards—attorney Joel Kirschenbaum reads message.
Opens with full statement by Nguyen Thai Binh who was killed when he tried to hijack a plane to Hanoi (he had an orange), statement read by Lincoln Bergman. He became a hero to Vietnamese independence cause. Announcement of event/candlelight memorial by Union of Vietnamese to memorialize Thai Binh. Thai Binh’s family held prisoner in Vietnam—newspapers confiscated when they carried stories about him (July 2, 1972 was the date of Thai Binh’s action.); Roundup of much other Vietnam news, General killed, British freighter sunk, Jane Fonda visit to the North report from Vietnam News Agency; Le Duc Tho returns to Paris; other Asia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Philippines, Middle East/Japanese Red Army Lod Airport action, Greece, arrest of eight people in an organization called “New Left,” for alleged plot to kidnap a Kennedy, etc.; Ruchell Magee statement—documents sent to KPFA, read by Lincoln Bergman, announce a protest on July 28, 1972 in support of Ruchell Magee; report by Larry Bensky on charges and indictment against leaders of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in connection with upcoming Republican Convention in Florida, and the role of an informant in these charges; McGovern nominated, time will tell—closes with song “Keep on Pushin’”
The Real Dragon
Date: 8/5/1972Call Number: CD 887Format: CDProducers: Lincoln BergmanProgram: The Real DragonCollection: Vietnam
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, then Vietnam news, including two limericks about Jane Fonda with actuality of Jane Fonda, in her interview with Asia Information Group, discusses the committee of solidarity. More Vietnam news, on successful offensives against US military, speech by War Secretary Laird disrupted, bomb at Air Force Academy officer’s club with communiqué signed by “the Americong.” Pentagon Papers trial delayed, South Vietnamese student political prisoners/tiger cages—student statement on mistreatment, beating, and torture of student activists, Union of Vietnamese sponsors a Vietnamese Cultural Night with film “The Victory of Dien Bien Phu,” Nguyen Thai Binh poem by LB—“my name it is Thai Binh and Thai Binh means peace,” —“my only bomb is my human heart...” with last verse sung…..Marin County courthouse, “the courthouse slave rebellion,” George Jackson actuality about Jonathan Jackson and the events of August 7, 1971, poem to Jonathan Jackson by Lincoln Bergman, detailed report on Ruchell Magee trial, denied the right to defend himself, H. Rap Brown, Presidential campaign news, Weather Underground bombing, Leslie Bacon case/wiretaps; quotes from Marilyn Monroe from a Ms. Magazine article, Palestine news, demonstrators in Japan against Vietnam war. Hiroshima, Nagasaki----children of the future—the Venceremitos (400 children from 28 countries) in Cuba.
Track 2: RD 066: Real Dragon (Oneness) (has Janice Mirikitani poems). Producers: Roland Young, Glen Howell Program: Real Dragon/Oneness. Part of the program Oneness on which The Real Dragon appeared. Begins with alphabet song sung by Tracy Young, followed by an interview with "Julie," a koto player and the koto accompanies poems by Janice Mirikitani, one on a shooting of a farmworker - "The Price of Peaches," then her well-known poem on Vietnam combined with Japanese concentration camps called “Attack the Water." (juxtaposition of 1947/1972). Closes with her poem to Nguyen Thai Binh, the Vietnamese martyr killed during attempted antiwar hijacking (he had two lemons wrapped in tin foil), "In Memory of Nguyen Thai Binh."
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 10/6/1973Call Number: CD 888Format: CDProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: Vietnam
This is the first "Nothing Is More Precious Than" (Freedom and Independence) program. Begins with a report from the Union of Vietnamese, commentary on political prisoners. States that under the Thieu regime, huge numbers of people in concentration camps and prisons—more prisons have been built than schools and churches combined. The Union demands that all political prisoners be released, all US aid cut off, and implementation of the agreement take place. Update on Chile, actions against the fascist coup, reports on bomb explosions at ITT and ATT. Weather Underground communiqué read in full. News roundup of events and protests throughout Latin America, October 8th, the Day of the Heroic Guerrilla-- international week of solidarity with Chile.
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 11/6/1973Call Number: CD 889Format: CDProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy BarrettProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: Vietnam
Union of Vietnamese Report: focus on political prisoners and failures of the Saigon government. Lolita Lebron song and report on Puerto Rican independence, message from Lolita Lebron read by Nina Serrano. Puerto Rican nationalist Carlos Feliciano sentenced. Mark Schwartz report on prisoner strike at Folsom and trial of San Quentin 6, Hugo Pinell motion for dismissal of charges, Schwartz is refused permission to interview them, as he is a “freelancer.” Karl Armstrong case, pled guilty to reduced charges of second degree murder for 23 years—actuality of William Kunstler. Chicago contempt retrial. Popeye Jackson of United Prisoners Union to go to trial, report by Frances Emley. Rosemary McFadden sentenced.
Nothing is More Precious Than
Date: 11/10/1973Call Number: CD 890Format: CDProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy BarrettProgram: Nothing is More Precious ThanCollection: Vietnam
Reading of SLA communiqué on assassination of Oakland School superintendent Marcus Foster. Mark Schwartz report on San Quentin 6, Black Liberation Army, the New York 5, Marilyn Buck and Rosemary McFadden, actuality of Bernice Jones speaking about the BLA—Bill Schechner on Popeye Jackson of United Prisoners Union and a police informant. Andy Truskier on Chicago conspiracy case. Ramsay Clark, Roy Wilkins call for renewed investigation of Fred Hampton/Mark Clark murders. Donald Hickerson case—ruled he could not be fired from Department of Agriculture for being gay. Protest against Casper Weinberger by Medical Committee for Human Rights. Marc Cooper in Beirut on Palestinian movement, amidst attempts by Kissinger for Mideast peace. Chile, junta attempts to gain recognition internationally, demonstration planned against junta representatives. Union of Vietnamese report. Discusses violations of the Paris peace agreement, refusal of Saigon to recognize Provisional Revolutionary government (PRG). Con Son prison island. Reading of letter from Howie Machtinger of Weather Underground explaining why he went back underground after capture in NY, then not appearing for trial.
Nothing is More Precious Than: Vietnam Special
Date: 1/26/1974Call Number: CD 891Format: CDProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy BarrettProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: Vietnam
Special program marking the 1st anniversary the Paris Peace Accords, with interviews with recent visitors to Vietnam. Opens with brief commentary on the accord. Then comes the Union of Vietnamese report, discusses the meaning of the Tet holiday in Vietnam—a starting point of working for something better. There have been some exceptional Tets---the Truong Sisters triumph over Chinese feudalists. A poem by the Truong sisters written in 40 AD, sung/recited in English—“my wish is to ride the tempest.” Then discussion of the Paris peace agreement, and the rejection of attempted division by US/Thieu into small areas (“leopard-skin” zones of control). People have returned from Vietnam, comments from them, including Jim Larsen (National Lawyers Guild)—reunification, outrage at violations of agreement by US/Thieu; Dawn?/women (missed her name) who speak of their 4-hour talk with Madame Binh; emphasis on health, education, and agriculture in liberated areas; contrast with how the news of peace accord was spread widely in liberated areas, and hardly at all in Saigon-controlled areas; Quang Ngai province report on repression by Thieu regime; family pictures used in repression; letter from Ho Chi Minh to the children of Vietnam—first time he used the name “Uncle Ho.” Note on healthy appearance of the children wherever the delegation went. Refusal of US to recognize the PRG, also a violation of the peace agreement. US has converted military advisors into so-called civilian advisors. Computerized intelligence system of Thieu regime. No move toward the rebuilding that was called for in the peace agreement. Instead of dismantling political prisons, the repression has increased—200,000 people held in Saigon prisons—tiger cages redesigned and still used despite the agreement. The Phoenix assassination/torture program—described by two of these people returning from Vietnam—they were there 2 years, speak Vietnamese, made medical visits to the prisons—they met several political prisoners—one who had been on prison island for 14 years, the other 11 years. A very moving experience. Both shackled in tiger cases, legs disabled, but very dedicated. She saw evidence of women having been tortured, some beaten, others with a water torture/mixed with lime, electric tortures, beating, some had seizures, some brain damage, paralyzed, etc. “In spite of the horror of it all, the atmosphere was “joyous,” in solidarity with one another, helping each other, the spirit was so strong, holding one another, sing, talk politics, etc.—sisterhood and love and patience/resistance. Poem recited of resistance by Vietnamese women in prison. Strategic hamlet described, people taken away from their homes, in army canvas tents, 20,000 people, surrounded by barb wire, held as prisoners. Rice brought in from Louisiana—when they could of course grow it themselves. Liberation of hamlets by PRG, non-violently taken—a cultural troupe brought in the first evening, hamlet burned to the ground, people returned to their villages and fields. Then, just after Kissinger said “peace is at hand,” bombing began again, and Thieu regime military control. Important lesson—to distinguish people of US (“progressive Americans” from the government of the US. Mention of Nguyen Van Troi; Madame Binh—the gentle strength that flowers in a people fighting for their liberation
Nothing is More Precious Than
Date: 2/2/1974Call Number: CD 892Format: CDProducers: Claude Marks, Nancy Barrett, Mark Schwartx, with Frances Emley, Elsa JavkinProgram: KPFA BerkeleyCollection: Vietnam
Ongoing repercussions of the Tyrone Guyton killing in Oakland. New trials of Black Liberation Army, Henry “ShaSha” Brown, recess in trial of Assata Shakur (she is pregnant and ill) and Sundiata Acoli; NY Daily News campaign against BLA; Richard Dhoruba Moore interview by Mark Schwartz, on self-defense and armed struggle. Case of Ruchell Magee and his right to defend himself. Sandy Close report on Magee hearing. Prison lockdown of five major California prison goes into its third month, San Quentin 6 case and others. Fighting in Cambodia against the Lon Nol government. Union of Vietnamese report. Special program on a national hero—Nguyen Trai, military leader/strategist, poet, statesman, resistance against China (1380–1442). His proclamation of victory is read–describes overall strategy, guerrilla-type ambushes, battles, surrender of the Chinese generals. Roundup of news from Latin America, especially Bolivia, resistance of peasants and workers to government’s increase of prices, Cochabamba, repression by Hugo Banzer regime
Nothing Is More Precious Than
Date: 8/30/1975Call Number: CD 893Format: CDProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Claude Marks, with Mark Schwartz, Molly FrankelProgram: Nothing Is More Precious ThanCollection: Vietnam
Program celebrates Vietnamese independence, with music, poetry, interviews. Includes Ho Chi Minh speaking in English, a poem by Janice Mirikitani, a speech by Dow of the Union of Vietnamese, and comments by Donna Futterman, a recent visitor to Vietnam at the time. Also report on trial of the San Quentin 6.
Vietnam Independence Day
Live celebration for the first Vietnam Independence Day. With no foreign troops on Vietnam soil, a numerous amount of supporters came to rejoice. Beginning with a number of Vietnamese speakers, quotes of Ho Chi Minh are recited to gain hopes for the future of Vietnam. After the Vietnamese speakers, Janis Mergatani a prominent antiwar poet recites some of her poems. The last half of the celebration is a speech/slideshow involving the history of the occupation of Vietnam, starting with the French and ending with America leaving. With a time line of the injustices put upon the Vietnamese, many supporters look toward the future with optimism.
Union of Vietnamese Interview and Event
Interview with Dao, representative of Union of Vietnamese Students in the US, on occasion of the first independence day after the victory over the US. Includes portion of speech from American Indian Movement (AIM), and live music by Holly Near at event celebrating the Vietnam victory.
10 Documents Found
