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SF [San Francisco] City Hall Protest Hearing Rev. Cecil Williams Legislative Chambers (ED) SF [San Francisco] City Hall Protest Hearing Rev. Cecil Williams Legislative Chambers (ED)
Call Number: IH 033Format: CDCollection: The International Hotel struggle and the Filipino community
Twenty-one digitized photograph files in jpg format of photographs taken during a San Francisco City Hall protest concerning the I-Hotel eviction. Photographs include the Reverend Cecil Williams speaking at a hearing held in the legislative chambers. Photographs taken during the late 1970s. CD format.
Rise of the I-Hotel (CC) Rise of the I-Hotel (CC)
Call Number: IH 039Format: DVDProducers: Malaya productionsCollection: The International Hotel struggle and the Filipino community
The short documentary chronicles the struggle to rebuild the New International Senior Housing complex. It documents several series of new footage since the eviction of 1970s, filling in the gap where Curtis Choy's Fall of the I-Hotel ended.
Bruce Occena Interview [part 2] Bruce Occena Interview [part 2]
Call Number: IH 026Format: CassetteCollection: The International Hotel struggle and the Filipino community
Continuation of an informal discussion between Estella Habal and Bruce Occena. They talk about the political climate and its influence on the I-Hotel struggle. At first, the students helping the I-Hotel were not "more left" than other members in the community. When the KDP joined the struggle, the organization began being looked at as anti-capitalist. Attracting the attention of other progressive young people, the political meaning rose to a revolutionary level. The political climate at that time was described as "urban populism". With a mixture of urban decay, white flight, civil rights movements, and 3rd world movements created a revolutionary consciousness for people of color in urban areas
International Hotel KPFA Broadcast (EH) International Hotel KPFA Broadcast (EH)
April 1977 pre-eviction broadcast of the International Hotel struggle (KPFA). Program contains narration, music, interviews and recorded speeches with detailed chronological account of the events leading to the eviction. Discusses the involvement of the Milton Meyer Company, Walter Shorenstein, Sheriff Richard Hongisto, Mayor George Moscone, The Four Seas Investment Corporation, and Judge Ira Brown. Audio documentation of tenants Emil de Guzman, Nita Rader, Wahat Tampao, Felix Ayson, and city officials Moscone and Hongisto. Topics of the affordable housing struggle are explained, such as the "Buy-Back" plan that was proposed to the tenants, the Power of Eminent Domain to prevent eviction, Hongisto's contempt of court, and the progressive community joining to created a human barricade around the building. Program ends asking listeners to support the struggle of the I-Hotel tenants. Discusses the affordable housing struggle, the "Buy-Back" plan that was proposed to the tenants, how the power of Eminent Domain was used for the first time to try and prevent an eviction, Hongisto's contempt of court, and how the greater progressive community joined by the thousands to support the tenants by creating human chains around the building. Program ends asking listeners to support the struggle of the I-Hotel tenants. On the night of the 1977 International Hotel eviction, a reporter following Sheriff Richard Hongisto made recordings documenting the breaking down of doors. As a sledgehammer is used to break doors down, the reporter comments on the sheriff's refusal to warn tenants to vacate their rooms. Field recording includes verbal exchanges between the sheriff, the reporter, and Estella Habal.
Art Sato Jazz International Hotel Announcement EH Week (EH), Manilatown Heritage: Ben, Fred, Estella Habal. 1930s-1940s, and Who’s Who in Asia America: The I-Hotel Tenants (EH). Art Sato Jazz International Hotel Announcement EH Week (EH), Manilatown Heritage: Ben, Fred, Estella Habal. 1930s-1940s, and Who’s Who in Asia America: The I-Hotel Tenants (EH).
Call Number: CD 496Format: CDProducers: UnknownCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
A recording of Estella Habal's radio announcement of events that commemorate the 20th anniversary celebration. As she commemorates the 1977 International Hotel eviction, Estella Habal provides historical background of the International Hotel eviction. Panel discussion on issues pertaining to Manilatown and the Filipino Community during the 1977 International Hotel Eviction. As Emil deGuzman moderates the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, Estella Habal, and Manilatown residents Fred Basconcillio & Ben Abarca speak. Ben Abarca explains I Hotel's 10-block Kearny Street area and past lives of the many family oriented Filipinos living in the district (1930s to present). Next, Fred Basconcillio explains his childhood as being the son of the New Luneta Café owner. Living amongst severe discrimination, Fred witnessed the exploitation of runaway farm workers. Abarca adds that he witnessed a Filipino lynching incident in San Francisco that was a result of a Filipino man dating a white woman. In result of discrimination, Filipinos got involved in creating the Agricultural Workers Union of America (Larry Itliong) . Next, Estella Habal explains the I-Hotel Eviction era's youth and compares them to past and present generations. For the first generation Manongs it was a crime to be Filipino, the second generation was extremely conservative, the third generation was radical and today's fourth generation is still looking for their identity. Fred Basconcillio ends with recalling personal discrimination in the Ironworkers Union. Eventually, he became the first Filipino President of the Ironworkers Union. Edited radio retrospective of the 1977 International Hotel Eviction in San Francisco. Three former tenants, Fred Dela Cruz, Mary Lai, and Mr. Yip reflect on their eviction night experiences and speak of their continuing affordable housing struggle, now in its 10th year. Ends with a male, accompanied by music, reading a poem about the I-Hotel Eviction.
I-Hotel Commemoration [at] CHS-SF [cosponsored by Chinese Historical Society and Manilatown Heritage Foundation] (EH) I-Hotel Commemoration [at] CHS-SF [cosponsored by Chinese Historical Society and Manilatown Heritage Foundation] (EH)
Date: 7/18/1997Call Number: CD 498Format: Cass A & BCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
Recording of a symposium of the following speakers Etta Chung, Estella Habal, and Harvey Dong (40 min of speakers; 50 min of open discussion). Speakers delve into the basic struggle formed from the I-Hotel: private property over human rights. The struggle was to prove that dignity and decency takes higher precedence. The Vietnam War, Anti-colonial struggle, and the strong movement to search for one's identity were touched upon as influences for the large community support. The open discussion has several comments from the audience about the I-Hotel's legacy, as a true story that has changed reality, merged generations to fight for one cause, and the need to push this information into schools for the youth to know of the events in history from their own communities.
I-Hotel Commemoration [at] CHS-SF [cosponsored by Chinese Historical Society and Manilatown Heritage Foundation] (EH), Estella one (EH), WILD 94.9 Aug.03 1997 EH [Estella Habal] interview IH week (EH), I-Hotel Commemoration [at] CHS-SF [cosponsored by Chinese Historical Society and Manilatown Heritage Foundation] (EH), Estella one (EH), WILD 94.9 Aug.03 1997 EH [Estella Habal] interview IH week (EH),
Date: 7/18/1997Call Number: CD 499Format: Cass A & BCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
Recording of a symposium of the following speakers Etta Chung, Estella Habal, and Harvey Dong (40 min of speakers; 50 min of open discussion). Speakers delve into the basic struggle formed from the I-Hotel: private property over human rights. The struggle was to prove that dignity and decency takes higher precedence. The Vietnam War, Anti-colonial struggle, and the strong movement to search for one's identity were touched upon as influences for the large community support. The open discussion has several comments from the audience about the I-Hotel's legacy, as a true story that has changed reality, merged generations to fight for one cause, and the need to push this information into schools for the youth to know of the events in history from their own communities. Recording of a KNBR radiobroadcast interview of Estella Habal, then vice president of the Manilatown Heritage foundation, and Linda Wang, then chair of the International Hotel Citizens Advisory Committee and president of the Kearny Street Housing Corporation. Radio host Kimmy Park Lai interviews both Estella and Linda Wang on past and present issues relating to the International Hotel. Emphasized in the interview are the experiences of Estella during the night of the eviction, the effect the International Hotel incident had on issues such as low income housing or housing for the elderly, community versus private development and the change of views on urban planning from the 1970s to the late 1990s. Both Estella and Linda also discuss the development plans of the I-Hotel site such as the inclusion Manilatown museum and cultural center, the low income housing units for the elderly and an elementary school. Estella also announces the upcoming events for that week as part of the 20th commemoration of the International Hotel eviction. Side B of tape has no recording.
"Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 1 (EH), "Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 2 (EH) "Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 1 (EH), "Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 2 (EH)
The first part recording of a symposium titled, "Growing Up on Kearny Street" hosted by unknown woman. Three elderly speakers recount their experiences growing up on Kearny Street. The first speaker, an unidentified male, talks about how the Filipino American community was like an extended family where everyone knew each other and helped each other out. He remembers different bars, clubs, and restaurants in the neighborhood, including Tino's Barbershop and Arabian Nights nightclub. Ocampo, the second male, similarly recounts his childhood experience in the neighborhood. He remembers many different dialects of Tagalog spoken everywhere. Kearny street was home to many Filipino businesses, and a place where unemployed Filipinos could go to find work. The third speaker is Joe San Felipe. He explains that Kearny street was a bachelor community, with few women and thus few families. Briefly talks about discrimination against Filipinos and other Asian Americans. The fourth speaker, an unidentified man, is cut off very shortly after he begins talking. Ocampo is member of the Board of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation as of 2005. This recording is only on side A, and is fairly clear sounding. Second part of a symposium named "Growing Up on Kearny Street". Contains an unidentified man recollecting his experiences on Kearney Street and his history in the army (WWII). He briefly reflects on the racial climate in the armed forces. Tony Robles, the nephew of Al Robles, recites poetry and reminisces about his experience growing up in San Francisco. To conclude the symposium, a unidentified woman tells of her family history and their journey to America throughout the 1920s and 1940s. Also sheds light on the social ills such as conditions of Kearny Street and surrounding areas during her years as a child and teenager. The biggest social ill was women not being allowed to live on Kearny street and the dangers women and children face.
Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 2 (cont.), Eastwind Books (EH), KPFA talk with Emil Deguzman, Norman Jayo, and Shiree Tang (EH), Luisa Castro (EH) Growing Up on Kearny Street" Tape 2 (cont.), Eastwind Books (EH), KPFA talk with Emil Deguzman, Norman Jayo, and Shiree Tang (EH), Luisa Castro (EH)
Second part of a symposium named "Growing Up on Kearny Street". Contains an unidentified man recollecting his experiences on Kearney Street and his history in the army (WWII). He briefly reflects on the racial climate in the armed forces. Tony Robles, the nephew of Al Robles, recites poetry and reminisces about his experience growing up in San Francisco. To conclude the symposium, a unidentified woman tells of her family history and their journey to America throughout the 1920s and 1940s. Also sheds light on the social ills such as conditions of Kearny Street and surrounding areas during her years as a child and teenager. The biggest social ill was women not being allowed to live on Kearny street and the dangers women and children face. (8/4/1997) At a poetry reading in Eastwind Books, Al Robles reads a piece that begins, "Coming Home to this Place Called Manilatown". (8/5/1997) Two radio hosts talk with Emil Deguzman, Norman Jayo and Shiree Tang (on the phone) about the I-Hotel. Issues relate to housing struggles, and gentrification in San Francisco. Emil explains about the hotel previously being a community for bachelor Filipinos unable to marry. Due to immigration laws disallowing Filipina women from entering the country, anti-miscegenation laws disallowed interracial couples. Shiree Tang talks about how the I-hotel was also a home to Asian American leftist organizations such as Kearny Street Workshop and Chinese Progressive Association. The struggle over the I-Hotel was a fight for the community's entitlement to that land. "Paving new roads", the energy of that moment remains through the people, old and young. Norman and Emil explain how gentrification destroyed communities such as Yerba Buena, Tenderloin, and the Filmore. With no city plan, tenants had no choice but to stay in the hotel and resist all they could. For everyone involved in the struggle, the mission eventually was not to save the hotel, but to show the world that the city was evicting the elderly from their homes. (8/7/1997) Short, informal interview of writer/journalist/activist Luisa Castro conducted by Estella Habal. Luisa explains her background as a mixed Black and Filipina woman who grew up in Portland, Oregon with her mother. Growing up, she never belonged in the white community and knew from an early age that she had no place in the white race. She identifies Lloyd Wake and Ron Takaki as two professors who actively supported the third world strike. (10/8/1997)
Frank Celada [Part 1] (EH) Frank Celada [Part 1] (EH)
Date: 12/1/1997Call Number: CD 502Format: CassetteCollection: Compact discs and videos representing digitized copies of analog tapes
Estella Habal and Harvey Dong have an informal discussion with Frank Celada over a meal in a restaurant. Celada's family came to United States from the Philippines in 1953. Growing up in the projects of Alameda, his father supported the family as a cook. With the Filipino American community being divided by class, Kearny Street was often looked at as a "rowdy area" that was not for respectable people. Celada got involved in the I-Hotel through his involvement in student activism at Berkeley. The student activist energy at Berkeley was strong and a lot of people wanted to fight for the I-Hotel. Celada reminisces about his activism at Berkeley, and how it led him to become a part of UFA in 1969-70. Celada was the community liaison for UFA. Talks a lot about group dynamics within the UFA, identifying key players (Mark Batista, Ness Aquino, Tony Ubaldi), and the groups relationship to I-Hotel tenants. Celada got involved in the I-Hotel through his involvement in student activism at Berkeley. The student activist energy at Berkeley was strong and a lot of people wanted to fight for the I-Hotel. Celada reminisces about his activism at Berkeley, and how it led him to become a part of UFA in 1969-70. Celada was the community liaison for UFA. Talks a lot about group dynamics within the UFA, identifying key players (Mark Batista, Ness Ikena, Tony Ibaldi), and the groups relationship to I-Hotel tenants.