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
2 Documents Found
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
2 Documents Found
