Finding Aid to the San Francisco Nuclear Freeze Campaign Records
1975-1989
SFH 598
Finding aid compiled by Katherine Ets-Hokin
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Title: San Francisco Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign Records
Date (inclusive): 1975-1989
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 598
Creator:
San Francisco Nuclear Weapons Freeze
Physical Description:
9 cartons, 2 pamphlet boxes, 1 OV flat box, 1 OV flat file
(12 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: San Francisco Chapter of Californians for a bilateral nuclear weapons freeze movement (San Francisco Nuclear Weapons Freeze
or "SF Freeze") was a volunteer political organization that advocated "freezing" and reversing the production of nuclear arms.
SF Freeze engaged in a campaign to inform the public about its beliefs - and support for Proposition 12, The Bilateral Nuclear
Weapons Freeze - through peaceful demonstrations and protests. Proposition 12 passed on the California ballot in 1982.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], San Francisco Nuclear Freeze Campaign Records (SFH 598), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco
Public Library.
Provenance
Donated to the library by the San Francisco Nuclear Freeze Campaign in May, 1998.
Administrative History
San Francisco Chapter of Californians for a bilateral nuclear weapons freeze movement or (San Francisco Nuclear Weapons Freeze)
was a volunteer political organization that advocated "freezing" and reversing the production of nuclear arms. The Freeze
supported in a simple, clear statement calling on both the United States and Soviet Union to stop the testing, production
and installation of nuclear weapons in a way that could be verified by both sides. The organization engaged in a campaign
to inform the public about its beliefs. In 1982 The Bilateral Nuclear Weapons Freeze (Proposition 12) was on the ballot in
eight other states and the District of Columbia.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains scrapbooks, photographs, posters, campaign materials, buttons, arm bands, t-shirts, and a jacket.
Scrapbooks contain clippings from published newspapers and magazines, flyers and materials from San Francisco Nuclear Freeze,
California Freeze, Bernal Heights Freeze and other Nuclear Freeze groups. Scrapbooks prior to April-June 1981 only contain
clippings, they do not contain SF Freeze documents. SF Freeze materials are contained in the Freeze Resource Sample Books
(1981-1985). After 1981, scrapbooks contain both clippings, meeting agendas, flyers and brochures. The collection does not
contain SF Freeze by-laws, agendas or member lists.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 6 series: Series 1: Resource Materials, Series 2: Serials, Series 3: Audio Cassettes, Series
4: Artifacts, Series 5: Posters and Flyers, Series 6: Photos.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Antinuclear movement -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations -- California -- Livermore
Nuclear disarmament -- United States -- History
Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign
Series 1
Resource Materials
1975-1989
Scope and Contents
Resource materials are bound in scrapbooks and arranged by date. Materials include SF Freeze, and other nuclear freeze groups:
flyers, brochures, meeting minutes, newspaper and magazine clippings. Subjects include national, statewide and local nuclear
war protests. Demonstrations include clippings for Livermore, Santa Rita Jail, and Diablo Canyon.
box 1
Arms Freeze Handbook
1982
box 1
Freeze Resource Sample Book
1981-1985
Series 2
Serials
1981-1984
box 1, folder 1
It's About Times
1981-1984
Series 3
Audio Cassettes
1981-1986
box 9
Tape for Freeze House Parties
1981-1982
Series 4
Artifacts
Circa 1981-Circa 1985
Series 5
Posters and Flyers
Circa 1981-Circa 1985
Scope and Contents
Posters show images promoting Proposition 12 and protesting nuclear war.
box 10, folder 1-5
Posters and Flyers
Circa 1981-Circa 1985
Scope and Contents
Posters contain both original artwork, printed posters and flyers. Original artwork was produced in competition to find an
original image for an election poster to promote the Freeze Initiative (Proposition 12) on the California ballot.
drawer 3
Oversized Posters
Physical Location: Oversized folder shelved in M43 flat files drawer 3.
Scope and Contents
Contains two posters protesting nuclear war. One of a cityscape and the other of an abstract hand.
Series 6
Photos
1981-1987
Arrangement
Photographs are arranged by date in three photo albums.
Scope and Contents
Photos contain images of people protesting nuclear war.
box 11
1981-1982
Scope and Contents
Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance Day, Union Square. Bernal Heights Freeze Group collects signatures for freeze ballot petition,
Union Square and farmers market. SF Peace Banner campaign. Peace March/Rally, Civic Center. Freeze ballot rally, Civic Center.
Jobs, Peace, and Justice Rally, Dolores Park to Civic Center. Livermore Labs blockade. Children's Affinity Group. Freeze Booth,
San Francisco City Fair, Moscone Center or Fort Mason. Hiroshima-Nagasaki Memorial, Japantown. Anti-nuke Protest, Golden Gate
Bridge. Freeze Rally with comedian Jane Dornacker, Jackson Square Park. People to People for Freeze Prop. 12, Bernal Heights.
Bernal Heights Freeze, SF Zoo. Freeze Poster Exhibit, Noe Valley Ministry. Lifeyard Exhibit, Noe Valley Ministry. Golden Gate
Park event. SF Freeze Director Charlene Tschirhart. Rep. Phil Burton.
box 11
1982-1985
Scope and Contents
Hall of Shame corporate protest, Downtown. Vanderberg Air Force Base blockade. Protest of Reagan / Queen of England, G.G.P.
Freeze presents European Anti-nuke activists. Freeze Protest of Tax Day, Rincon Annex. Livermore Labs blockade. Bernal Heights
Freeze blockade group. Bernal Heigts Freeze group arrested. Hands Around Livermore Labs. Arraignment of Livermore Labs blockaders.
Celebration for released Livermore Labs blockaders. Hiroshima-Nagasaki commemoration, Japantown. San Francisco Freeze office.
Fast for Peace. Martin Luther King March, GGP to Civic Center. Petra Kelly. Euro-Missile protest, Market St. to Civic Center.
SF Freeze Executive Board members. SF Freeze election day leafletting. Election eve really with Holly Near. SF Freeze presents
Helen Caldicott. Haight Street Peace Fair. Visions of Peace Show, SF Fashion Center. Democratic National Convention, Moscone
Center. SF Freeze Delegation, Washington DC. Alan Cranston. Bishop Tutu speach, Civic Auditorium. Give Peace a Dance, Fort
Mason.
box 12
1985-1987
Scope and Contents
Hiroshima-Nagasaki Memorial, Japantown. Protest of Ship Delivery from South Africa, SF Pier. American Peace Test, Nevada test
site. Reception for National Freeze Director, Jane Grunebaum, Tassajara Bakery. SF Freeze Director, Charlene Tschirhart. Peace
Rally for US Soviet Summit, Grace Cathedral. SF Freeze at Martin Luther King March. Give Peace a Dance, car caravan, Fort
Mason. Protest at site 300, Livermore Labs. Picnic for Livermore protesters, Tracy. Election night party. American Peace Test,
Nevada nuclear test site. Martin Sheen, Carl Sagan, Kris Kristofferson, Ramsey Clark. Jobs, Peace and Justice Rally, Civic
Center. Give Peace a Dance. Chicago Peace Museum. SF Freeze booth, SF City Fair, Fort Mason.
