The Berkeley Protests
The Berkeley Protests of the 1960's
The Berkeley Protests of the 1960's were a turning point for many Americans. From inspiring speeches to violent demonstrations, the protests advocated the Free Speech Movement. The Berkeley Protests consisted of leaders of many organizations advocating for the use of Free Speech and a variety of situations.
Here are some basic facts and events of the riots:
- The Berkeley Protests occurred in University of California, Berkeley Campus in the 1960's (mainly 1964 and 1965).
- The riots involved many organizations include CORE, SLATE, and VTC, SNCC, and the Black Panther Party.
- The Berkeley Protests were aided by the Free Speech Movement and sought to fight for the rights of the public (especially public universities in California) to use their political voice without the intervention of the authorities.
- There were many key (and chronological) events take took place during the riots:
- Sheraton Palace Demonstration
- It was aided by the Ad Hoc Committee to end Discrimination.
- More than 400,000 people were involved (mostly students!)
- The protesters fought for equal hiring opportunities and was one event that tied in with the Civil Rights Movement.
- It was in response to the racially discriminatory hiring practices used by the hotels in the campus.
- The Sheraton Palace Demonstration was essentially the starting point for the continuing riots
- The Ban of Tables in Telegraph and Bancroft
- Was in response to the Sheraton Palace Demonstration
- Dean of Students, Katherine Towle, issued a statement in the form of a letter that said no political activist organizations were allowed in Telegraph and Bancroft (was a place for political organization)
- The organization CORE and other organizations like the University Students for Law and Order, and the ASUC responded by organizing a table in front of Sproul Hall and demanded their rights.
- The Arrest of Jack Weinberg
- This happened during the Sproul Hill Demonstration
- Jack Weinberg, a chairman of the organization CORE, was arrested while sitting by a table in Sproul Hill by the police for violating the rules of student political activism.
- But he was not alone; before the police car could leave Sproul Hill, students sat around it and prevented it from leaving.
- Throughout the night, speakers like Mario Savio gave inspiring speeches, leading to more than 7,000 people attending.
- Led to the Pact of October 2, an agreement signed between the administration and representatives of political groups.
- Sproul Hall Occupation
- Happened on December 2, 1964.
- Occupation of Sproul Hall was the single largest demonstration in the Free Speech Movement.
- It was in response to the arrest and expulsion of Jack Weinberg and other members of the movement, and because the University refused to drop charges against student political leaders.
- The protesters occupied the hall for two to three days!
- In all, more than 1500 students were involved in occupying Sproul Hall, before being removed by the police.
- Vietnam Day March
- Was mainly organized by the Vietnam Day Committee (formed on May 22, 1965).
- The March occurred on November 20, 1965.
- After police forces and the National Guard continuously blocked them, the committee successfully organized a march in Oakland, California.
- More than 10,000 people marched, expressing their negative views of the Vietnam War.
- The Free Speech Movement included many other events, including March down Telegraph Avenue, March on Oakland Army Terminal, and organizing the Stop the Draft week.
- The Berkeley Protests were of huge significance to the time period because they led a huge part of the counterculture era and helped foster a movement of change and rights. The protests are very much influential to society and the people around them; they still happen today in California University campuses and in the streets of the cities. Students still organize many political organizations to fight for the rights of not only their fellow students but also on the whole American public. The Berkeley Protests, along with many others, made a huge impact on not only the people (who were mostly students) involved but on American society and helped bring up an era of fighting for rights and promoting fairness.