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Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)

The Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) was a California leftist revolutionary group active from 1973 through the mid 1970s.  A primary goal of the organization was the “gaining of freedom and self-determination and independence for all their people and races.” The SLA utilized tactics of expropriation, direct action and armed propaganda to stimulate public awareness and action around issues of poverty, housing, racism, women’s rights, and prison issues. Despite undertaking a number of controversial and sometimes polarizing actions, one of the foremost successes of the SLA was forcing the Hearst family to give away millions of dollars worth of food from Safeway grocery stores to impoverished communities in the Bay Area.  

Highlights of our collection include scanned copies of the Dragon, a rare periodical produced by the Bay Area Research Collective in support of the SLA; original SLA communiqués, statements and publications; and press releases, flyers and statements from other Bay Area radical groups concerning SLA actions and ideas. Additionally, we have hundreds of articles taken from local Bay Area news sources, all pertaining to the SLA and the group’s activities. Our collection of paper documents is supplemented by our media holdings primarily derived from local recordings and programs. These include memorial shows, audio from rallies and news programs and taped communiqués.  

Subcollections

  • The Dragon
    The Dragon
    Periodical in support of the SLA printed monthly by the Bay Area Research Collective.

Documents

For the SLA For the SLA
Author: Cassie McGeeDate: 5/20/1974Volume Number: 20-MayFormat: PoemCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
A poem remembering the fallen members of the SLA: Cinque, Nancy, Angela, Willy, Camilla and Mizmoon.
Communique from the United People's Liberation Army (Transcript) Communique from the United People's Liberation Army (Transcript)
Authors: Chunga Abdul Asad and ChakaFormat: CommuniqueCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This communique indicates that the Symbionese Liberation Army has joined with the Guerrilla Organizations to create the United People's Liberation Army in response to the killing of the six SLA members. Also, it commemorates those six slain SLA members and also honors Patricia Hearst.
Those Who Do Nothing Make No Mistakes Those Who Do Nothing Make No Mistakes
Author: Martin Sostre & Weather UndergroundPublisher: Bay Area Research CollectiveFormat: PamphletCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This pamphlet is a response by Martin Sostre and the Weather Underground to the shootings of SLA members on May 17, 1974 in Los Angeles. Martin commemorates actions taken by the SLA and mourns the loss of those members. The Weather Underground also celebrates the SLA and pushes to continue the revolutionary armed struggle.
Apocalypse for the SLA: The Revolution was Televised Apocalypse for the SLA: The Revolution was Televised
Author: Tim FindleyPublisher: Rolling StoneDate: 6/20/1974Volume Number: 20-JunFormat: ArticleCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This article was written in response to the May 17, 1974 shootings of six members of the SLA. It gives a biographical snippet of the six members who were killed, Patricia Hearst, and Bill & Emily Harris.
A Letter to the People from Fahizah A Letter to the People from Fahizah
Author: FahizahPublisher: Symbionese Liberation ArmyFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Open letter from Fahizah, formerly Nancy Ling Perry, clearifying some of the SLA's actions, discussing the group's politics and her experience in the organization.
Dragon Dragon
Publisher: Bay Area Research CollectiveYear: 1975Volume Number: No. 2 SeptemberFormat: PeriodicalCollection: The Dragon
Table of Contents: Introduction, Analysis of the Trial of Little and Remiro, Statement from Little and Remiro 1/18/74, Remiro and Little's Trial Statements: 4/4/75 & 4/18/75, Russ Little's Statement at Their Sentencing, Letter from Joe Remiro 8/16/75, On the Trials of Gary Garrison and Cameron Bishop, The Correct Handling of Communiques, New World Liberation Front Statement on Popeye Jackson, Peoples' Forces NWLF Respond to BARC/Orphans Criticism, Peoples' Forces NWLF Open Letter to Prisoners, A Letter to the NWLF, BARC Critique of Peoples' Forces NWLF, Jonathan Jackson/Sam Melville NWLF Communique, Poem from a Locked-Down Comrade