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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

Memorial for SLA members Memorial for SLA members
Date: 1/1/1974Call Number: KP 143Format: CassetteCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Memorial service for six Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) members killed in shootout with Los Angeles police. Recorded one week after shooting. Popeye Jackson, Kathleen Ann Soliah and community members discuss the movement and government infiltration.
Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 2/12/1974 Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 2/12/1974
Date: 2/12/1974Call Number: KP 235Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Cinque introduces SLA, discusses media-fascism and Hearst Empire, and demands Hearst establish free food giveaway programs as ransom for Patty Hearst. Patty Hearst speaks to assure family of her safety, discusses press distortions of SLA actions, and identifies herself as a prisoner of war.
Communiqué from Patricia Hearst and Cinque 2/16/1974 Communiqué from Patricia Hearst and Cinque 2/16/1974
Date: 2/16/1974Call Number: KP 236Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Patty Hearst attempting to clarify demands around food program. She discourages FBI from ambushing SLA and explains that she is a prisoner of war. Cinque speaks briefly at the end of recording to further clarify call for a good faith effort from the Hearst family to create food program.
Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 2/21/1974 Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 2/21/1974
Date: 2/21/1974Call Number: KP 237Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Cinque clarifies specifications of the free food program. Discusses Hearst wealth in attempt to compel Randolph Hearst to comply with SLA demands.
Communique from Gelina, Cinque 3/9/1974 Communique from Gelina, Cinque 3/9/1974
Date: 3/9/1974Call Number: KP 253Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Gelina discussing the condemnation of SLA from the left. The 3 weapons of war guns, determination, and the truth. Discusses sectional omission of SLA communiqués by Hearst owned papers and the media at large. The failure of Hearst's to comply with SLA demands. How the FBI tactics are to eliminate all revolutionary forces. P. Hearst message to mom and dad regarding FBI investigation and how she has become more radicalized and preparing for death. Communiqué by speaker unknown who speaks about turning anger into military anger. Communiqué Cinque calling on all people who are oppressed to arm them selves in defense of freedom while they have a chance. Information intelligence unit #4 discusses how tape sent to media was suppressed.
Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communique 4/4/1974 Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communique 4/4/1974
Date: 4/4/1974Call Number: KP 254Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Patty Hearst declares her decision to join the SLA, critiques her parents, and changes her name to Tania. Fahizah discusses SLA activity and Cinque's life. Cinque declares enemies of the people, and issues death warrants for Robin Steiner, Chris Thompson, and Carlton Westbrook sends a message to his kids and plays the national anthem of the SLA.
Symbionese Libearation Army (SLA) Communique 4/22/1974 Symbionese Libearation Army (SLA) Communique 4/22/1974
Date: 4/22/1974Call Number: KP 255Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Discussion of bank robbery of $10,000 April 15, 1974. Discusses civilian casualties, rounds fired, and justification for actions. Operation Zebra: enemy offensive against the people to create a race war. Zebra murders 1973-1974. Communiqués from Teko. Discussion of Zebra murders as a conspiracy. Communiqué from Tania. Discusses bank robbery. Renounces old life and fiancé.
Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 4/24/1974 Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Communiqué 4/24/1974
Date: 4/24/1974Call Number: KP 256Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: SLACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Cinque: Discussion of bank robbery that took place on April 15, 1974 where the SLA collected $10,000. He explains civilian casualties, rounds fired, and justification for actions. Operation zebra: enemy offensive against the people to create a race war. zebra murders 1973-1974. Tiko: Discussion of zebra murders as a conspiracy to incite race war. Patty Hearst as Tania: Discusses bank robbery and renounces old life and fiancé.
Interview with Paul Halverson Interview with Paul Halverson
Date: 5/15/1974Call Number: KP 257Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProducers: Claude MarksProgram: KPFACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Claude Marks talks with Paul Halverson, friend of Camilla Hall (Gabi) of the Symbionese Liberation Army, regarding the federal grand jury subpoena and the FBI. Discusses grand jury investigation as a way of attacking the left and suspending constitutional rights.
KPFA Memorial for the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) KPFA Memorial for the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Date: 5/25/1974Call Number: KP 258Format: 1/4 1 7/8 ipsProgram: KPFACollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Interview from the community, overview of shoot out in LA. Sound clips from rally on May 23, 1974 in San Francisco