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.

Search Results

Conference on Zimbabwe after independence. Conference on Zimbabwe after independence.
Date: 2/27/1982Call Number: AFR 032Format: Cass A & BCollection: May 19th Communist Organization
Conference on Zimbabwe after independence, featuring speakers Judy Jensen of Material Aid Campaign for ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), Comrade Johnny of Zimbabwean Missions, Marcy Shulman of May 19th Communist Organization, Sister Assata Shakur and Serge Mukendi of FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front), and Ahmed Obafemi, the East Coast Region Vice President of the RNA (Republic of New Africa). Jensen speaks first on the Material Aid Campaign’s goals of building solidarity with Namibia’s struggle against South African and American imperialism through the “Dollars for Bullets” campaign in solidarity with PLAN (People’s Liberation Army of Namibia). She points to Zimbabwe’s victory as bringing support to Namibia’s struggle through resources and moral support. Later she speaks on efforts to aid in Zimbabwe’s reconstruction. Comrade Johnny speaks about how the armed struggle was essential for victory, and how revolution never dies. After liberation, Zimbabwe must still continue the long process of freeing people from the white imperialist structures. He tells of the history of the Zimbabwe struggle, and how a development plan must be set up in reconstruction. Marcy Shulman speaks about women’s role in fighting for liberation. Assata Shakur and Serge Mukendi the oppressive situation the people of the Congo find themselves after the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Mukendi calls for an armed peoples war for national liberation and socialism, and calls for solidarity with SWAPO (South West African People’s Organization). Ahmed Obafemi begins his speech, continued on AFR 033. Tape 1, 2/27 DFB
Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Southern Africa Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Southern Africa
Call Number: AFR 035Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
Continuation of AFR 034 See enclosed note in AFR 035 Conference on liberation and reconstruction struggles in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia. A representative of SWAPO (South West African People’s Organization) speaks about the international community being in solidarity with Southern African countries, and asks for support for SWAPO’s continued struggle for liberation in Namibia. A member of the Zimbabwe admission to the United Nations speaks about the bonds formed between liberation fighters in Africa and internationally. He speaks about the leaders of ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), the ANC (African National Congress), and the PAC (Pan African Congress). He speaks on the history of the struggles for independence and human rights in Southern Africa, and the contued struggle for liberation. Sylvia Baraldini of the May 19th Communist Organization speaks on the National Campaign in solidarity with the ZANU Women’s League. She talks about the lessons of the struggle for liberation in Zimbabwe and looks at the process of reconstruction. A permanent representative of the PAC of Azania to the United Nations speaks about South Africa. He comments on South African president P.W. Botha’s refusal to erode Apartheid through economic means. He talks about a socialist solution incorporating equal distribution of wealth and power, and calls people to work together to fight oppression.
President Fidel Castro in Harlem President Fidel Castro in Harlem
Date: 9/8/2000Call Number: V 151Format: VHSProducers: Patrice Lumumba CoalitionCollection: Videos in many formats – both camera originals as well as reference materials
Fidel Castro speaks at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem September 8, 2000
Cuba: Songs for our America Cuba: Songs for our America
Date: 1/1/1975Call Number: Vin 034Producers: Paredon Records, Carlos PueblaCollection: General materials
Carlos Puebla, the self-declared "minstrel of the revolution" in Cuba, sings political ballads in celebration of the new Cuban society. Also emphasizes solidarity with other freedom struggles around the world, namely in Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and the Chicano Movement in the United States. Liner notes include biography and song lyrics.
Cuba: Songs for our America Cuba: Songs for our America
Date: 1/1/1975Call Number: Vin 035Producers: Paredon Records, Carlos PueblaCollection: General materials
Carlos Puebla, the self-declared "minstrel of the revolution" in Cuba, sings political ballads in celebration of the new Cuban society. Also emphasizes solidarity with other freedom struggles around the world, namely in Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and the Chicano Movement in the United States. Liner notes include biography and song lyrics.