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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

Huey Says Panthers are Not Parties to Extortion Huey Says Panthers are Not Parties to Extortion
Author: Huey NewtonPublisher: The Black Panther PartyDate: 2/14/1974Volume Number: 14-FebFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
A letter from Huey P. Newton of the Black Panther Party to Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hearst. The letter volunteers the Black Panthers to distribute the food as part of the bargain from the SLA to return Patricia Hearst to her family.
Revolution? -- Or Education Through the Media Revolution? -- Or Education Through the Media
Author: Bernard R. SmallwoodDate: 2/19/1974Volume Number: 19-FebFormat: ArticleCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This article comments on the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst and the role of mass media in meeting the left's demands.
Weather Underground February 20, 1974 Weather Underground February 20, 1974
Author: Bernadine DohrnPublisher: Weather UndergroundDate: 2/20/1974Volume Number: 20-FebFormat: PamphletCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This pamphlet is from the Weather Underground and commends the SLA for kidnapping Patricia Hearst in order to give food to the poor people. Bernadine Dohrn offers four points in response to the war between the rich and the poor.
BGF solidarity with SLA open letter BGF solidarity with SLA open letter
Publisher: BGFDate: 3/1974Volume Number: MarchFormat: CommuniqueCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This communique is from the Black Guerrilla Family that calls for an end of sufferng and the oppression of the people. It outlines what oppression looks like, supports the SLA in their movement, and calls for action against oppression to be taken, but to be objective when taking action.
Political Prisoners of California Letter to SLA Political Prisoners of California Letter to SLA
Author: Political Prisoners of CaliforniaDate: 3/1/1974Volume Number: 1-MarFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
A letter from Poltical Prisoners of California that thanks the SLA taking action and kidnapping Patricia Hearst because it resulted in food being given to the poor.
For the Symbionese Liberation Army For the Symbionese Liberation Army
Author: A Sister in the WeatherundergroundDate: 3/3/1974Volume Number: 3-MarFormat: PoemCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
A poem written by "a sister in the Weather Underground" to the Symbionese Liberation Army. The poem warns of who the real terrorists are and supports revolutionary struggle.
H.E.W. is an Enemy of Women H.E.W. is an Enemy of Women
Author: Women's BrigadePublisher: Weather UndergroundDate: 3/6/1974Volume Number: 6-MarFormat: CommuniqueCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This communique by the Women's Brigade of the Weather Underground states that the actions taken by SLA to give food to the impoverished highlight the amount of people in poverty and in need. They argue that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare denies women their needs and rights and their should be a revolution against the organization.
Message from the People to the SLA Message from the People to the SLA
Author: Members of the Poor Oppressed Communities of the Bay AreaDate: 3/31/1974Volume Number: 31-MarFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This letter from the poor oppressed communities of the Bay Area was written March 31, 1974. It addresses demands from the Symbionese Liberation Army to help their communities after the Hearst donations.
Text of Debray letter to Patty Text of Debray letter to Patty
Author: Regis DebrayDate: 4/12/1974Volume Number: 12-AprFormat: ArticleCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
This letter written by Regis Debray addresses Patricia Hearst's decision to take on the name of Tania and honors the real Tania who died fighting for revolution in Bolivia.
Press Release: California Refused to Extradite SLA's Defreeze Press Release: California Refused to Extradite SLA's Defreeze
Publisher: The Black Panther Intercommunal News ServiceDate: 4/18/1974Volume Number: 18-AprFormat: Press ReleaseCollection: Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)
Press release written by the Black Panther Party stating that Donald Defreeze of the Symbionese Liberation Army is working with the State of California in a conspiracy against the Black Panthers.