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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

Cops on Campus STRIKE! Cops on Campus STRIKE!
Format: FlyerCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Announces student strike in response to nine students being arrested by the Alameda County Poice. Flyer also articulates the demands of the planned strike.
From Dean Arleigh Williams From Dean Arleigh Williams
Date: 1/30/1967Volume Number: 30-JanFormat: ReportCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Update on disciplinary actions against FSM-involved students
VOTE TODAY VOTE TODAY
Format: FlyerCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Flyer encouraging students voting in ASUC/student gov. elections
AFT letter of support AFT letter of support
Publisher: American Federation of TeachersFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Letter by AFT expressing support/solidarity with FSM
Letter to Deans, Directors, Department Chairmen and Administrative Officers Letter to Deans, Directors, Department Chairmen and Administrative Officers
Author: Robert E. ConnickPublisher: Office of the Chancellor UC BerkeleyDate: 12/7/1966Volume Number: 7-DecFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
New policy that states any faculty/staff participating in strikes or related efforts can and will be terminated from their jobs.
U. C. Sit-In "On Scene Reports" U. C. Sit-In "On Scene Reports"
Date: 12/8/1966Volume Number: 8-DecFormat: CompilationCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
List of people who did and did not provide on scene reports
Regents' letter of support Regents' letter of support
Publisher: UC RegentsDate: 12/6/1966Volume Number: 6-DecFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Letter by Regents expressing support of Chancellor Heyns' actions and all necessary action to preserve order on all campuses.
Students and Faculty Defend Free Speech: Administration Retreat Students and Faculty Defend Free Speech: Administration Retreat
Publisher: Independent Socialist ClubDate: 11/14/1966Volume Number: 14-NovFormat: FlyerCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Update on free speech activism, David Friedman case, Dave McCullough case, and campus rallies.
Statement of Fred Best, First Vice President, ASUC Statement of Fred Best, First Vice President, ASUC
Author: Fred BestPublisher: Academic Senate UC BerkeleyDate: 12/1/1966Volume Number: 1-DecFormat: CorrespondenceCollection: Colin Edwards Free Speech Movement
Statement clarifies previous statement on Naval recruitment table and its placement in the Student Union.