HUAC Demonstrations (02:05)

FREE PREVIEW

View footage of Berkeley students protesting the House Un-American Activities Committee hearing proceedings in San Francisco in 1960.

"Operation Abolition" (02:55)

Former Berkeley students discuss how the HUAC's documentary fomented student resolve after the 1960 protest.

Political Awakening (03:11)

University of California president Clark Kerr speaks about growing knowledge industry in 1960. Former students describe the first Berkeley campus organization SLATE.

Addressing Outside Issues (01:22)

SLATE founder Mike Miller describes the Berkeley administration's attempts to suppress political activity.

Civil Rights Movement (04:23)

In 1963, Berkeley students protested discrimination practiced by local businesses. Participants describe the hotel industry's equal opportunity agreement—a landmark victory.

Suppressing Campus Political Activity (01:19)

Former students describe how the university banned tabling in 1964—uniting the civil rights and peace movements.

Free Speech Movement (04:45)

Jack Weinberg recalls student solidarity while being arrested at Sproul Plaza. Crowds surrounded the police car and individuals spoke on its roof for 32 hours.

Student Coalition (03:30)

Participants describe the process of consensus among organizations. The administration agreed to review Free Speech rules, but students became disillusioned during negotiations.

Discrimination against Students (03:13)

A Free Speech participant discusses the oppression of privileged young people. In November 1964, the university allowed political organization but forbade protests.

Student Occupiers (03:35)

The expulsion of Free Speech organizers ignited campus demonstrations. View Mario Savio speaking at a Sproul Hall sit-in in December 1964.

Civil Disobedience (03:19)

View footage of students occupying Sproul Hall and being arrested in 1964. Hear a Free Speech song.

University Power Struggle (03:31)

The Berkeley administration lost authority after Free Speech arrests. Mario Savio was prevented from speaking at a meeting and faculty sided with students.

Free Speech Victory (04:09)

Former students discuss how the media portrayed them as anarchists, when they were committed to progressive change. They connected the campus struggle to national issues.

Vietnam Day (02:55)

After Civil Rights and Free Speech victories, U.C. Berkeley students began protesting the war in May 1965. Hear a speech at Sproul Plaza.

Stopping Trains (01:52)

A former Berkeley student activist recalls sitting on the tracks to protest Vietnam deployments.

Anti-War Movement (04:28)

In fall 1965, the Vietnam Day Committee organized the first march through Oakland. Despite police barricades, protesters grew in numbers—challenging national consensus perceptions.

Counter Culture Movement (04:13)

Ronald Reagan attacked Berkeley students in a 1966 speech. An activist explains political motivations behind her alternative lifestyle.

Challenging Mainstream Culture (02:36)

Journalists interview San Francisco hippies about their activities. Barry Melton recalls ideological disagreements with his family.

Counter Culture Alliance (02:59)

Berkeley students sing "Yellow Submarine" at Sproul Plaza. Radicals and hippies disagreed about how to stop the Vietnam War, but the movements converged at several points.

Stop the Draft Week (05:45)

Dr. King speaks at a Vietnam War protest. Berkeley students recall trying to shut down an Oakland induction center in 1967; view demonstrators, police and inductees.

Violent Protests (05:34)

View footage of Vietnam demonstrators confronting police in Oakland. Former Berkeley students describe how the movement lost popular support after resorting to aggression.

Anti-War Victory (01:06)

A former Berkeley student believes the movement contributed to Johnson's decision not to seek reelection and withdrawal from Vietnam.

Black Panthers (03:04)

Berkeley protestors wanted to align with the Black Power Movement. Bobby Seale describes patrolling Oakland police and selling Mao's book to students to raise money for arms.

Black Power Movement (02:31)

Seale describes the decision to bear arms and recalls protesting Reagan's gun restriction bill in 1967; Huey Newton is interviewed about his arrest.

Free Huey Movement (02:27)

Black Panthers allied with Berkeley students to protest Newton's arrest. Activists discuss the Black Power Movement’s influence on the white left.

Black Power Legend (03:18)

Learn about a shootout between Black Panthers and police after Dr. King's assassination. Activists discuss the use of media to spread the movement and white radical involvement.

Women's Movement (04:40)

Former Berkeley students discuss 1968 global protests. A feminist recalls Civil Rights inspiration and radicalizing domestic spheres.

Chicago Convention (03:32)

Former Berkeley students recall protests that triggered actions on campuses across the nation. After a strike was suppressed, activists created People's Park.

People's Park (02:22)

Former Berkeley students describe how counter culture activists occupied university property to demonstrate a revolutionary lifestyle.

Berkeley Revolution (02:38)

Former students believe People's Park was created for confrontation, rather than political goals. View footage of the university taking over the property.

Final Confrontation (02:14)

View footage of Berkeley students protesting the People's Park closure. The National Guard was brought in and James Rector was killed.

Police Brutality (04:10)

Governor Reagan berates Berkeley administrators for negotiating with protesters. Former students recall deciding to leave the movement after a rally was disbanded with nausea gas.

Berkeley Student Activist Flaws (02:47)

View a peaceful march on People's Park. Former participants reflect on the movement's lack of organization and cohesive strategy.

Berkeley '60s Legacy (02:07)

Former student activists discuss Civil Rights and anti-war achievements, and how the movement inspired a new generation of social justice activism.

Berkeley Activist Postscript (02:23)

Learn what student movement and Black Panther Party members have done since the '60s.

Credits: Berkeley in the Sixties (06:09)

Credits: Berkeley in the Sixties