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Peace and Freedom Party Collection
MS.2014.005
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: Peace and Freedom Party Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2014.005
Physical Description:
14.59 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1933-1980
Abstract: The Peace and Freedom Party was founded on June 23, 1967 during the 1960's civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. By
1968 the group gained national recognition and dedicated their efforts towards achieving their platforms of a socialist, democratic,
feminist, and racially equal society. They organized mass groups and rallies to protest and support political candidates to
reform US political institutions. They formed Tenant unions for renters. They organized food co-ops, free health clinics and
newsletters for the public and their followers. Additionally, they organized two successful statewide initiative campaigns.
One in 1968, lowering the voting age to 18, and another in 1972 to repeal the capital gains tax loophole. They have also helped
numerous political candidates run for office like Robert F. Kennedy and Eldridge Cleaver of the Black Panthers.
Language of Material:
English
.
Peace and Freedom Papers is the physical property of California State
University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and
Archives.
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by Special
Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State
University, Los Angeles
The Collection is organized into eleven series: I. Writings and
Publications; II. Subject Topical Files; III. Newspapers and Clippings; IV. Informational
Handouts; V. Correspondence; VI. Minutes/Agendas; VII. Miscellaneous; VIII. Legal
Related Documents; IX. Maps; X. Posters; XI. Ephemera. Four of the eleven series
consist of subseries. Series I. Writings and Publications is organized into seven
subseries: a. Newsletters; b. Writings; c. Committee Association Literature; d. Reports;
e. Political Candidate Literature; f. Journals; g. Notes. Series II. Subject Topical Files is
organized into two subseries: a. Student Organization's; b. Subject Topical Files. Series
III. Newspapers and Clippings is organized into three series: a. Clippings; b. Oversized
Clippings; c. Newspapers. Series IV. Informational Handouts is organized into three
subseries: a. Broadsides; b. Handouts/Flyers; c. Pamphlets. Series IX. Maps; X.
Posters are organized in map case 7 drawer 2.
The Peace and Freedom Party was founded on June 23, 1967 during the 1960's civil
rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. By 1968 the group gained national recognition
and dedicated their efforts towards achieving their platforms of a socialist, democratic,
feminist, and racially equal society. They organized mass groups and rallies to protest
and support political candidates to reform US political institutions.
They formed Tenant unions for renters. They organized food co-ops, free health clinics
and newsletters for the public and their followers. Additionally, they organized two
successful statewide initiative campaigns. One in 1968, lowering the voting age to 18,
and another in 1972 to repeal the capital gains tax loophole.
They have also helped numerous political candidates run for office like Robert F.
Kennedy and Eldridge Cleaver of the Black Panthers.
The materials in this collection were created from 1933-1980. The majority of the
collection is comprised of writings and publications related to various political and social
issues. The first series Writings and Publications contains newsletters produced by the
Peace and Freedom Party (PEP) along with numerous other publications. Additionally,
there are independent writings from different cohorts on sentiments towards race,
economy, war, and U.S. politics. Included in the collection are documents and materials
by various committees/associations, along with municipal and state reports, and
journals. Lastly, in the series are files containing US political candidate literature and
miscellaneous notes during PFP meetings.
Series II: Subject Topical Files are divided into two subseries and containing student
organization literature, catalogs, forms, and miscellaneous reports. Series III:
Newspapers and Clippings, range from The Los Angeles Times to The Black Panther
News.
Series IV contains Informational Handouts such as broadsides, flyers, and pamphlets
regarding upcoming events and plans to organize and promote civil liberties and denote
the Vietnam War and US drafting. Series V contains correspondence between PFP
members and their sentiments, in addition to their planning and organization. The next
series contains, Minutes/Agendas, Miscellaneous, and legal related documents, which
hold detailed information into the PFP structure and foundation.
Additionally, the collection includes maps of Long Beach, Los Angeles and CSULB.
There are also posters in the collection promoting upcoming events and anti-war
sentiments. Finally, in the last series contains ephemera such as political candidate
buttons, business cards, ribbons, and bumper stickers.
Series I: Writings and Publications
Inclusive Dates: 1933-1973
Arrangement: Alphabetical and there under chronological
This large series consists of seven subseries: a. Newsletters, 1933-1972, u.d; b.
Writings, 1962-1972, u.d.; c. Committee/Association Literature, 1963-1971, u.d.; d.
Reports, 1968-1973, u.d.; e. Political Candidate Literature, 1969-1972, u.d.; f. Journals,
1968; g. Notes, 1968-1971, u.d. Many of the newsletters pertain to the Vietnam War
and the draft lottery. Additionally, the the writings also carry left leaning political and
social rhetoric addressing minority marginalization, and the legalizing of marijuana.
There are also numerous newsletters and writings supporting The Black Panthers, and
Cesar E. Chavez and United Farm Workers. In addition to supporting leftist ideology,
there is also literature by committee/associations, and political candidates like Robert F.
Kennedy.
Series II: Subject Topical Files
Inclusive Dates: 1950-1980
Arrangement: Alphabetical and there under chronological
Every folder in this series was pre-organized by the donor and have been kept in that
order. The series consist of two subseries: a. Student Organization's, 1952-1971, u.d.;
b. Subject Topical Files, 1950-1980, u.d. The first subseries consist of three different
categories all relating to organizations that were runned by or initiated by college
students. The first is the S.M.C. or the Student Mobilization Committee to End the War
in Vietnam. In their newsletter S.M.C. reminds their readers of upcoming events and
issues that they face in trying to end the war in Vietnam. They also include information
for young men on how to legally avoid being drafted. The second portion is regarding
miscellaneous student movements and involvement in civil and social rights from
multiple cal states. The last section of the first subseries is the Student for a Democratic
Society, focusing on encouraging students to vote and explaining its significance. Most
noteworthy is a particular piece titled 'Institutional Racism" that offers insight into how
US institutions carry racist notions. The second subseries contains folder is relation to
black students activism from CSULB, Booklets and catalogs advertising leftist books
and films regarding race and education. Moreover, the subseries contains documents
relating to PFP finances, forms, proposals, platforms, and praises. Additionally, there
are specific folders dedicated to the involvements and plans with the United Farm
Workers Organizing Committee, Vietnam Moratorium Organizing Committee, and
Women's Strike for Peace.
Series III: Newspapers and Clippings
Inclusive Dates: 1968-1974
Arrangement: Clippings are chronological; Newspapers are
alphabetical
This series is divided into three subseries: a. Clippings, 1968-1971, u.d.; b. Oversized
Clippings, 1968-1970, u.d.; c. Newspapers, 1968-1971, u.d. This series includes
clippings from various newspapers and addresses free clinic issues, Vietnam War
issues and includes an image of Huey P. Newton, co-founder of The Black Panthers.
Within the newspapers, there are many different publishers, addressing numerous
issues, ranging from The Los Angeles Times to the Forty-Niner published at CSULB.
Series IV: Informational Handouts
Inclusive Dates: 1939-1973
Arrangement: Chronological
There are three subseries in this series: a. Broadsides, 1966-1970, u.d.; b.
Handouts/Flyers, 1952-1973, u.d.; c. Pamphlets, 1939-1972, u.d. The broadsides
contain news and information for PFP followers, such as future meetings, police
harassment against blacks, future projects, and US criticism. The handout/flyers relate
to the PFP encouraging their readers to vote for leftist politicians and revealing the
horrors of the Vietnam War. The same can be said about the pamphlets in the series,
with added emphasis to women, specifically black women.
Series V: Correspondence
Inclusive Dates: 1950-1980
Arrangement: Chronological
This small series includes many letter to Mike Schone and C.T. Weber regarding
praises and thanks. There are also letters to family and friends regarding involvement in
activist circles. Additionally, this series includes letters to leaders of the PFP regarding
obstacles in their activism and approvals by various committees. They also include
criticisms of society, political figures, and government institutions. Many of the writings
also pertain to Long Beach and the greater Los Angeles plans for the upcoming council
meetings. This includes announcing and promoting political candidates.
Series VI: Minutes/Agendas
Inclusive Dates: 1968-1972
Arrangement: Chronological
This small series includes minutes and agendas relating to the PFP. The meetings are
organized into multiple sections and involve, special reports, businesses,
announcements, motions, committee involvements, discussions, and financing.
Series VII: Miscellaneous
Inclusive Dates: 1965-1980
Arrangement: Chronological
This small series consist of undated calendars with dates and times. In addition, there
are letters from schools, criticisms by unknown authors, and political terminology.
Series VIII: Legal Related Documents
Inclusive Dates: 1969-1970
Arrangement: Chronological
This small series consists of documents that are from or to the state and municipal
governments. This includes: legal notifications regarding PFP, summaries of laws and
acts, court cases summaries and facts, and procedures for candidates in upcoming
elections.
Series IX: Maps
Inclusive Dates: 1966-1971
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This small series has a variety of maps relating to PFP. Including a map of CSULB, San
Fernando Valley, Orange County, and most notable, a map of the Ambassador Hotel,
and the scene of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination.
Series X: Posters
Inclusive Dates: 1969-1971
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This small series consists of promotional advertisements for events and anti-war
sentiments. For example, the posters promote an annual festival, and a striking event.
Series XI: Ephemera
Inclusive Dates: u.d.
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This is the smallest series of the collection, and contains bumper stickers, business
cards, ribbons, and political candidate buttons.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Long Beach (Calif.)
Politics
Politics and government
California, Southern