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San José Peace & Justice Center Records
MSS.2014.03.25
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José Peace & Justice Center Records
creator:
San José Peace & Justice Center
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2014.03.25
Physical Description:
6 boxes
(7.5 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1942-2013
Abstract: This collection documents the history of the San José Peace & Justice Center from 1948 to 2013. The collection records
include: administrative records, board minute records, correspondence, newsletters, photographs, publicity and event files,
news clippings, and ephemera.
This Collection is arranged into two series: Series I: Administrative and
Office Records 1960-2011 and Series II: Civil and Social Justice issues, 1942-2013.
The San José Peace and Justice Center (SJPJC) was founded in 1957. Its founding members were concerned about peace and social
justice, especially in regards to the growing nuclear arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States. For more than
fifty years, the Peace and Justice Center has promoted non-violent civil disobedience in favor of racial and gender equality
and world peace.
One of the individuals who founded the organization was Reverend George “Shorty” Collins, a 93-year old activist. The organization
was active throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. They centered their activism on ending the Vietnam War, and accomplished
this by counseling hundreds of men on options other than the draft, as well as organizing seminars and teach-ins on 1st and
Santa Clara streets. In the 1980s, their goals shifted to the promotion of "The Peace Times", which was their monthly newspaper
that focused on "peace activities in which they [the people] could participate". They also offered nonviolence education programs
to educate people on de-escalation, nonviolent civilian self-defense, and nonviolent direct action, as well as high school
direct outreach programs to educate people on alternatives to joining the military. These programs often included meetings
with draft counselors. Lastly, they offered "The Pledge of Resistance to Prevent an Invasion of Central America", a campaign
to stop US involvement in Central America. This pledge was taken by over 50,000 people, 400 of whom were from San Jose.
The Peace and Justice Center rose to prominence in 1966 when Lisa Kalvelage and several other women blocked off a napalm-loaded
truck in front of United Technology in Sunnyvale. Pete Seger later memorialized Kalvelage in the song “My Name is Lisa Kalvelage”
to honor her actions and her commitment to achieving world-peace. The Peace and Justice Center rose to prominence in 1966
when Lisa Kalvelage and several other women blocked off a napalm-loaded truck in front of United Technology in Sunnyvale.
Pete Seger later memorialized Kalvelage in the song, "My Name is Lisa Kalvelage" to honor her actions and her commitment to
achieving world-peace. This organization has also involved itself in a number of other political actions including anti-war
and antinuclear demonstrations, supporting women's liberation in Latin America, and providing court and prisoner support for
Angela Davis and Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
San José Peace & Justice Center Records, MSS-2014-03-25, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Collection arranged and rehoused by Michael Paradela, 2017. Collection organized and described, and finding aid written, by
Samira Habibi December 2017.
The San José Peace & Justice Center Records document progressive activism in San José in the fight for equal rights for humanity
as well as social change in order to provide a sustainable and safe environment. San José Peace & Justice Center was founded
in 1957 and is maintained by the The Collins Foundation. The San José Peace & Justice Center Records contain materials related
to fundraising events, which include self-sponsered fundraisers and the Collins Foundation. Series I includes the administrative
structure of the Peace & Justice Center, financial records, newsletters, non-violence philosophies, and meeting minutes. Series
II documents the actions taken against police brutality, anti-war movements, antinuclear movements, and local civil rights
ands social issues.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Social justice -- California -- San Jose
Pacifists -- California -- San Jose
Human rights -- California -- San Jose
Peace movements -- California -- San Jose
Antinuclear movement -- California -- San Jose
San José Peace & Justice Center