Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
The Free Speech Collection is primarily comprised of audio recordings produced by independent journalistColin Edwards from 1964-1967. Edwards was a journalist working with Canadian Broadcasting, the BBC and Pacifica Radio among others. His work represents a comprehensive account of the major perspectives, ideas, events and figures of the Free Speech Movement, the Sproul hall sit-in and the subsequent changesconcerning the rights of students to engage in political activity on the UC-Berkeley campus. These changes, best known as the December 8th Resolutions, were put to the test in 1966 during the “Little Free Speech Movement” in which students’ political rights were again brought into question.This part of the collection focuses on the November 30th, 1966 confrontation between anti-war demonstrators and a Navy recruiting table that was set up in the student union building. Many students and non-students were arrested and disciplined, and students responded with a strike that disrupted campus activities. Ultimately, UC president Clark Kerr was dismissed by newly-elected Governor Reagan and the Board of Regents for being “too soft” onprotesters.
One of the strongest aspects of thiscollection is Colin’s ability to speak with all the major players: students,professors, administrators, local political and police representatives as wellas members of the corporate media. This provides a vibrant context with whichto understand the movement and its lasting effects on the political culture ofthe UC Berkeley campus. It also shifts the focus of the movement fromwell-known figures to people whose names that we might not know but played anequally important role in the success of the movement. In addition to hisinterviews, the collection also features speeches and rallies held by the FSM,Student Senate Debates in which major FSM issues were decided and even audiofrom Mario Savio's birthday party.
This is one of the definitive audiocollections of the Free Speech Movement and represents an important addition tothe dominant narrative that limits the free speech movement and itsaccomplishments to the work of a couple of dedicated students. The audioprovides evidence of the significant linkages between the civil rightsstruggles being waged by African-Americans and the Free Speech Movement, themass nature of the protests and the true politically diversity of student andfaculty participants.
The FSM is equally as relevant todayas it was in the 1960s. Check out two of our interns' blogs about thecontemporary relevance of this collection:
Documents
9 Documents Found
March 17th Press Conference and Exclusive Interview with Michael Klein
Date: 3/17/1965Call Number: CE 721Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Chancellor Meyerson and Professor Ross give a press conference following the March 17th 1965 Academic Senate Meeting. This is followed by a KPFA exclusive interview with Berkeley student Michael Klein who explains the recent free speech incidents involving the student publication the Spider.
Faculty Rally on Obscenity Case March 24th 1965
Date: 3/24/1965Call Number: CE 722Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
This recording is taken from a faculty rally following the banning of the UC student publication, the Spider. Mario Savio is the first speaker and he talks about what’s at stake concerning this issue. The following speakers are all faculty members and talk about a wide range of topics including the responsibility of faculty in protecting students’ rights, the need for student gains to be codified, the need to not lose perspective of larger issues including the civil rights struggle in Selma, various perspectives on the filthy speech movement, and that student actions demonstrate that students care about the university community.
4/23/65 Rally: Coalition Politics and the Student Bill of Rights. Interviews with Mario Savio and Charles Flynn
Date: 4/23/1965Call Number: CE 725Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Rally speakers include student organizers Brad Cleaveland and Fred Bauer discussing a proposed student bill of rights, the relative merits of coalition building and direct action, and the desire to represent all students. Detailed discussion of the fate of the Tussman Proposal, an experimental curriculum plan. A student speaks on behalf of the University Reform Movement, a coalition organization. Event announcements including details of CORE’s restaurant pickets in Oakland. The Freedom Singers perform “We Shall Overcome” and there is a chant for “Freedom Now.” Interview with Mario Savio who discusses his perspective on the Filthy Speech Movement and the lack of due process in student discipline, as well as the media’s representation of him. Interview with Charles Flynn of anti-FSM University Students for Law and Order, who discusses his changing views and working with FSM students to propose a disciplinary court with student jury.
4/26/65 Rally Part 1; Interview with Art Goldberg
Date: 4/26/1965Call Number: CE 726Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
A black student organizer speaks about racial discrimination and abuse from campus staff and police during a conference organized for Berkeley High students on the UC campus, and a rally that is taking place to demand accountability. History professors Reggie Zelnik and Kenneth Stampp discuss the Meyer report released by the Regents and the lack of due process for disciplinary action. SLATE candidates for student government Sandor Fuchs and Luis Hernandez speak briefly and encourage voting. Mario Savio speaks at length on various topics. Brad Cleaveland and Marvin Garson announce an upcoming debate regarding tactics. Art Goldberg is interviewed about his expulsion and plans to challenge it through the court system.
4/26/65 Rally Part 2: Formation of the Free Student Union
Date: 4/26/1965Call Number: CE 727Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Campus rally held in support of the formation of the Free Student Union, a successor to the Free Speech Movement. Many brief speeches and announcements by a number of student organizers and some discussion of the purpose and nature of a student union and student strikes. Some discussion of Mario Savio's resignation from the FSM.
4/28/1965 Press Conference: Formation of the Free Student Union
Date: 4/28/1965Call Number: CE 728Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Post-rally press conference announcing the formation of the Free Student Union. Major organizers discuss the union’s intent to unite the student body around issues of the “form and nature of education,” specifically discussing advocating for a holistic education as opposed to job training, as well as advocating for due process in FSM-related disciplinary matters.
Free Student Union Rally: 7/29/65
Date: 7/29/1965Call Number: CE 729Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Rally related to the trial of students involved in FSM activity. Speakers include student senator-in-exile Nicholas Zvegintzov, UC San Diego professor Avrum Stroll on the role of a public university in a democratic society, Mario Savio announcing a court support rally and discussing the importance of self-education, David Kolodny of the Free Student Union introducing Professor Thomas Parkinson, who speaks on lessons of the past year, legal issues and handling the “long haul of responsibility.” A letter of solidarity is read from labor union leader Leonard Levy. Bettina Aptheker speaks on the political nature of the charges against students and about receiving a letter from the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee. Announcements from the Vietnam Day Committee.
Civic Park rally: 7/29/65 (part 1 of 2)
Date: 7/29/1965Call Number: CE 730Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Second rally held on 7/29/65, at Civic Park in Berkeley near the courthouse, in support of students facing trial. David Goines goes to jail at the beginning of the rally, and the crowd sings “Goodbye David.” Speakers discuss specific legal strategy, fundraising needs and earlier mistakes. There are also several speakers from the Vietnam Day Committee discussing the war and how the committee plans to learn from the FSM. Lou Smith of CORE speaks on themes of commitment and the connections between the FSM and civil rights. Allen Ginsberg chants and rings a bell. Bettina Aptheker calls attention to an FBI agent in the crowd who has been following her and declares that “we’re the fighting generation.” Mario Savio discusses his experiences in Santa Rita and the impacts of incarceration.
Civic Park rally: 7/29/65 (part 2 of 2)
Date: 7/29/1965Call Number: CE 731Format: 1/4 3 3/4 ipsProducers: Colin EdwardsCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Continuation of Mario Savio discussing legal issues at 7/29 Civic Park rally. Susan Stein discussing the arrest (“kidnapping”) of David Goines and stating that “bail is just a nice word for ransom.”
9 Documents Found
