Colin Edwards Collection
The Freedom
Archives is
honored to contain hundreds of programs on many topics produced by
Colin
Edwards. Colin Edwards (1924–1994) was an outstanding internationalist
journalist and writer who created a huge body of work. Colin came from
Wales
and was a fervent Welsh nationalist. Following service in WW II, he became a combat correspondent in Malaya, then in
Burma, Indochina
and Korea. Later, as an independent journalist with Canadian Broadcasting, the BBC and Pacifica Radio among others. He
did important on-the-scene interviews and documentaries on
anti-imperialist national
liberation struggles in the Middle East, especially Palestine, on Asia,
particularly Vietnam, and on many other struggles, including the civil
rights, Black
Power, and student antiwar movements in the US. Edwards also worked
closely with Moshe Menuhin—a prominent Jewish anti-Zionist (and the
father of
world-famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin).
The interviews with Moshe Menuhin are in the Archives collection, as is
all of the audio work of Colin Edwards, with the exception of
interviews and
writings on Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, which reside in the National
Library of
Wales. The collection was
entrusted to the Freedom Archives by Mary Edwards, his widow, who lives
in
Oakland.
Documents
4 Documents Found
![Jordan Under Fire - Frances and Wayne Fuller Extras](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Date: 9/1/1970Call Number: CE 296Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsProgram: Jordan Under FireCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Two religious missionaries in Jordan describe Israeli atrocities against Arabs and massive bombing campaigns. Descriptions of farms in the Jordan Valley being mined, farmers murdered by Israeli snipers from Israeli side of Jordan river, napalm used on forests and orchards, no military targets. Also includes discussion of Palestinian views on Christianity and how Israel repressed the development of Jordan.
![Jordan Under Fire - Ramzi and Stradal Extras](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Date: 9/1/1970Call Number: CE 297Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsProgram: Jordan Under FireCollection: Colin Edwards Collection
Rafet O'Ramzi of Jordan's Ministry of Information describes how the city of Karameh grew from a refugee camp in 1951 to a base for Palestinian guerilla forces and a center for economic activity.
Israel launched an attack on the town on March 23, 1968 and destroyed all of the infrastructure (including UNRWA offices, schools, homes, churches) but were defeated by a combined force of refugees, guerilla commandos, and Jordanian troops. This victory catalyzed a massive surge in support of Palestinian liberation organizations.
Lee Stradal, the first correspondent to reach Al Fateh, describes the Battle of Karameh - the IDF shot fleeing refugees and destroyed the entire town. She mentions how well-prepared the guerillas were to face the Israelis and how their evacuation tunnels saved many lives.
![News Reports from June 9 or 10th 1967](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
The reel begins in the Middle East with reports about the Israeli strike against the USS Liberty focusing on the attack, US casualties, the Israeli and US position on the attack. Reports from the Six Days War continue including Egypt’s military losses, Jordan’s casualties, and reports that Israel used napalm on field hospitals in Jordan. Reports from the city of Bethlehem which has been captured by the Israeli army. Reports shift to the United States where Texas Rangers violently suppress a UFW strike in Texas. Reports move back to the Middle East where Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser resigns but retains his position amongst popular support. Report on prostitution in San Francisco and other local stories. Brief report from Vietnam, more from the Middle Easts.
![News Briefs and Interview with Mayor of Jerusalem](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
1. Alan Jackson commentary Jan 28th 1969 on Iraqi execution of nine Israeli spies (4 Jews, 4 Muslims, 1 Christian Arab).
2. William Buckley interviews the Jewish mayor of Jerusalem in November or December of 1969. Lots of topics are covered but specifically safety conditions, Jewish/Arab tensions, legitimacy of occupation, not wanting Jerusalem to be an international city and more.
4 Documents Found