Search Help

How does this work?
There are many ways to search the collections of the Freedom Archives. Below is a brief guide that will help you conduct effective searches. Note, anytime you search for anything in the Freedom Archives, the first results that appear will be our digitized items. Information for items that have yet to be scanned or yet to be digitized can still be viewed, but only by clicking on the show link that will display the hidden (non-digitized) items. If you are interested in accessing these non-digitized materials, please email info@freedomarchives.org.
Exploring the Collections without the Search Bar
Under the heading Browse By Collection, you’ll notice most of the Freedom Archives’ major collections. These collections have an image as well as a short description of what you’ll find in that collection. Click on that image to instantly explore that specific collection.
Basic Searching
You can always type what you’re looking for into the search bar. Certain searches may generate hundreds of results, so sometimes it will help to use quotation marks to help narrow down your results. For instance, searching for the phrase Black Liberation will generate all of our holdings that contain the words Black and Liberation, while searching for “Black Liberation” (in quotation marks) will only generate our records that have those two words next to each other.
Advanced Searching
The Freedom Archives search site also understands Boolean search logic. Click on this link for a brief tutorial on how to use Boolean search logic. Our search function also understands “fuzzy searches.” Fuzzy searches utilize the (*) and will find matches even when users misspell words or enter in only partial words for the search. For example, searching for liber* will produce results for liberation/liberate/liberates/etc.
Keyword Searches
You’ll notice that under the heading KEYWORDS, there are a number of words, phrases or names that describe content. Sometimes these are also called “tags.” Clicking on these words is essentially the same as conducting a basic search.

Independent Collections

These collections were produced by independent journalists. Many of these recordings make up the bulk of the original collection of the Freedom Archives.

Subcollections

Documents

Huey Newton - 2nd trial set Huey Newton - 2nd trial set
Date: 3/7/1968Call Number: CE 051Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
The day a new trial date is set for Huey Newton (May 6, 1968). Interviews at Alameda County Courthouse with Charles Garry, Newton's attorney: with his sister, Leola Carr and fiancee, Laverne Williams who talk about Huey's life and character.
Huey Newton - 2nd trial set Huey Newton - 2nd trial set
Date: 3/7/1968Call Number: CE 052Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
The day a new trial date is set for Huey Newton (May 6, 1968). Interviews at Alameda County Courthouse with Charles Garry, Newton's attorney: with his sister, Leola Carr and fiancee, Laverne Williams who talk about Huey's life and character.
Huey Newton Interviewed day that his 2nd trail set Huey Newton Interviewed day that his 2nd trail set
Date: 3/7/1968Call Number: CE 053Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Interviewed by Colin Edwards, Joan Didier (Columnist for Saturday Evening Post), Ray Rogers (LA Times), Eldridge Cleaver (Ramparts Magazine & minister of information of the Black Panther Party), and Attorney Charles Garry. Interview takes place in the detention area of the Alameda County Courthouse.
Bobby Seale interview Bobby Seale interview
Date: 7/4/1968Call Number: CE 054Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Seale speaks at the Panther National Headquarters about former Panther Larry Powell. Poell, a day after his mysterious release from jail on a robbery charge, has testified before the Senate McClellan Investigative Committee, claiming that the Panthers are involved in extortion. Seale states that Powell had distributed a coloring book (withdrawn by the Party leadership) about targeting police. Seale refers to Safeway Stores in Oakland refusing to contribute food to the breakfas programs and subsequently being leafleted. Seale is asked about statements made by Raymond Johnson (now in Cuba) about racial discrimination, about criticisms of the Panthers by Stokely Carmichael and about the United Front Against Fascism. He says that Eldridge Cleaver is now somewhere in the third world.
This Week - Panther Reports This Week - Panther Reports
Date: 8/30/1970Call Number: CE 063Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Programs for Dublin Radio on 1 - the history of the Black Panther Party 2 - the Free Huey Campaign which includes an extensive interview with Huey Newton (from CE 055).
Bobby Seale Arraignment Bobby Seale Arraignment
Date: 2/27/1968Call Number: CE 076Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Report on arraignment of Bobby Seale, his wife, and four others on gun charges. Pre-publicity alleged conspiracy to murder charges, which were not brought at all, and which Charles Garry at rally outside, calls "smokescreen" to poison atmosphere" to prejudice Huey Newton trial. Bobby Seale also speaks to press and gathering. "Free Brother Huey and Free Brother Rap." Separate questioning with Charles Garry and with Ron Dellums.
Huey Newton arraignment Huey Newton arraignment
Date: 1/16/1968Call Number: CE 077Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsProgram: KPFA news insertCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Report on Huey Newton arraignment proceedings.
Black Panther Party: Sacramento Black Panther Party: Sacramento
Call Number: CE 078Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Excerpts of early Black Panther Party actuality including Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, speaking days after taking of guns to Sacramento CA (as legislature plans gun laws) to expose attacks on Black community and raise right of self-defense. Extensive comments by Seale and Newton, who summarizes racist history, Reconstruction betrayal, raises issue of political power.
Free Huey Newton Demonstration Free Huey Newton Demonstration
Date: 1/16/1968Call Number: CE 122Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Interviews with activists and also Bobby Seale speaks. Interview with Eldridge Cleaver about police brutality in all communities and the need to mobilize to free Huey.
Dick Gregory interview in Oakland Dick Gregory interview in Oakland
Date: 4/19/1968Call Number: CE 518Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Activist/comedian Dick Gregory is interviewed outside of the Alameda Court house prior to Huey P. Newton’s trial. Gregory discusses the possibilities of a fair trial, the direction of the civil rights movement after Dr. King’s death, and the upcoming elections.