Marjorie and Paul Colvin papers HLL.2019.003

Allyson Eddy Bravmann, edited by Allison Ransom
Holt Labor Library at CSU Dominguez Hills
September 2019


Contributing Institution: Holt Labor Library at CSU Dominguez Hills
Title: Marjorie and Paul Colvin papers
Creator: Colvin, Marjorie
Creator: Colvin, Paul
Identifier/Call Number: HLL.2019.003
Physical Description: 3.34 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 8 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1957-1991
Abstract: This collection contains the personal and professional papers of Marjorie and Paul Colvin, members of the Socialist Workers Party and political activists who protested against the Vietnam war and other U.S. interventions during the 1960's and 1970's. It includes meeting notes, flyers, correspondence, and newspaper clippings related to the various organizations and movements they were involved with.
Language of Material: Collection material is in English.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Allyson Eddy Bravmann in August, 2007 at the Holt Labor Library in San Francisco, California. In 2019 Allison Ransom edited the finding aid in ArchivesSpace at the Gerth Archives and Special Collections, California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material  guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Biographical/ Historical

Paul Colvin was born in Flint, MI. His mother was a member of the Proletarian party, and took him to meetings as early as age 7. In 1943 at age 18, he met a member of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in Burbank, CA, and in 1946 he became a SWP sympathizer while attending the University of California at Los Angeles. Having served in the Navy during World War II, Paul worked as a merchant seaman between semesters. He began attending SWP meetings in 1949, but the House UnAmerican Activities Committee closely watched the maritime industry and the radical sympathizers within it. An informant in the Party turned him in, and he lost his seaman's papers in 1954, the same year he became an official member of SWP.
The national SWP selected Paul to attend the Trotsky School at Mountain Spring Camp in Washington, New Jersey. He spent the 1959-1960 school year there, studying Marx's Capital and American history. Afterwards, the Party asked him to be an educator in San Francisco teaching young party members about capitalism and political issues.
During the Vietnam War, Paul led the logistics committee for several antiwar demonstrations, which entailed gathering permits, banners, insurance, police, food, sound equipment, creating the march route, and raising funds to ensure the success of each event. He kept a file of people who were regular march monitors and collection volunteers; at one point he had nearly 700 names. At the time he worked the night shift at the San Francisco Chronicle, which allowed him to engage in political action during the daytime.
Paul was a member of SWP for 29 years and was part of a group that was expelled in 1983. He helped form Socialist Action, of which he was a member for 18 years. In the 1990s, he was active in the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal. He went on to form Socialist Workers Organization, which publishes Socialist Viewpoint. In 2006, he joined the Workers International League.
Marjorie Colvin came from a religious, apolitical family in Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she was an anti-segregation activist. She moved to San Francisco with her daughter in 1960 and met Paul in 1961. She was a social worker at a geriatric hospital and later for the California Department of Employment. She received a M.A. in anthropology from San Francisco State College, for which she wrote her thesis on an Apache person she met through the Department of Employment. That association led to her later involvement with the American Indian Movement and Dennis Banks.
She became a member of the Socialist Workers Party in October 1962, after participating in a demonstration concerning the Cuban Missile Crisis, and remained a member until the late 1970's. Marjorie was one of the top signature gatherers during the Proposition P campaign, collecting over 1,000 names to help get the measure on the ballot. Prior to joining the SWP, she was active in the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in San Francisco in 1961 as well as the Communist Party.
Marjorie worked for the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco for 29 years as a drug counselor, mental health therapist, and an advocate for workers' rights. A women's detoxification center at the clinic's Mission Street location in San Francisco is named in her honor.

Scope and Contents

The Marjorie and Paul Colvin papers (1957-1991) consist of meeting notes, flyers, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other documents concerning the Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC), Proposition P (San Francisco 1967), Proposition J (San Francisco 1970), anti-Vietnam war activities and the Dennis Banks Defense Committee, in which the Colvins were active in during the 1960's and 1970's. The collection also includes correspondence with the Socialist Workers Party national organization in New York, which provides insight into the party's position on activism in the San Francisco Bay Area. The collection contains significant holdings on the New Mobilization Committee (National and West), the GI Civil Liberties Defense Committee and planning materials for antiwar demonstrations in San Francisco between 1967-1971.

Custodial History

The Marjorie and Paul Colvin papers were donated to the Holt Labor Library in San Francisco, California in 2004, and were acquired by the Gerth Archives and Special Collections at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2019.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use by qualified researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series: Series I. Fair Play for Cuba Committee, 1958-2002; Series II. Propositions P and J, 1967-1971, bulk 1967; Series III. Anti-Vietnam War Organizations and Events, 1957-1991, bulk 1967-1969.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Socialism -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States
Student movements -- Political activity -- 20th century
Socialist Workers Party--United States--20th century
Cuba -- History -- Revolution, 1959

 

Fair Play for Cuba Committee Series I. 1958-2002

Language of Material: English.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Series I. contains minutes, press releases, speeches, and correspondence, primarily from the San Francisco Bay Area's chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, as well as from other chapters in the United States and Canada. Also included are notes from the Committee's 1961 National Conference and newspaper clippings related to the Committee.
 

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter 1960-1986

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 1

Constitution 1960

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 2

Bay of Pigs Invasion 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 3

Film Project 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 4

"Organizational Minutes and Materials" 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 5

Ray Duren and Nicolas Guillen Speech 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 6

Robert F. Williams Speech 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 7

Correspondence 1961-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 8

Minutes and Newsletters 1961-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 9

Pamphlets 1961-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 10

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 11

Asher Harer Talk, Santa Cruz 1986

Language of Material: English.
 

Other Chapters 1960-1963

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 12

Los Angeles 1960-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 13

National, General 1960-1963

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 14

National, National Conference 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 15

Other U.S. Chapters 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 16

Palo Alto, California 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 17

Tampa, Florida 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 18

Canadian Chapters 1961-1962

Language of Material: English.
 

Related Organizations 1959-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 19

Socialist Workers Party (SWP) 1959-1963

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 1

Amigos de Cuba 1959-1991, bulk 1961

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 2

Other Organizations 1960-1962

Language of Material: English.
 

Media 1957-1982

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 3-4

U.S. and Cuban Relations 1957-1982, bulk 1961

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Contains newspaper clippings and magazine articles.
box 2, folder 5

Clippings, FPCC 1960-1961

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 6

Right Wing on Cuba 1960-1961

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 7

Fidel Castro Speeches 1960-1962

Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 8-10

Cuban Media 1960-1982

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Contains articles regarding U.S. and Cuban relations, arts and culture, and "Radio Havana."
 

Propositions P and J II. 1967-1971, bulk 1967

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Series II. chronicles the campaigns for 1967 and 1970 San Francisco ballot measures to offically oppose the Vietnam War. Included are meeting notes, petitions, newspaper clippings, and lengthy reports written by the Colvins and Asher Harer for the Socialist Worker's Party.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.
 

Proposition P, 1967 1967-1969, bulk 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 1

"Declarations of Candidacy, Including Statements of Qualifications of Candidates; Propositions together with Arguments and Statements of Controller; Relating to Costs to be voted on at General Municipal Election to be held November 7, 1967" 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 2

Pre-Campaign Meeting Notes, Petition Drive 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 3

Pre-Campaign Clippings 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 4

Campaign meeting notes 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 5

Campaign Flyers and Talking Points 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 6

Participant Lists 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 7

Events and Publicity 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 8

Financial Records 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 9

Election materials 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 10

Campaign Clippings 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 11

Post-Election Clippings 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 12

Post-Election Meeting Notes 1967-1968

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 13

Post-Election Correspondence 1967-1968

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 14

Post-Election Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialist Alliance reports and notes 1967-1968

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 15

Asher Harer Campaign Review for Socialist Worker's Party 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 16

Post-Election, Paul Colvin Campaign Review for Socialist Worker's Party 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 3, folder 17

Post-Election, Marjorie Colvin memo to New Mobilization Committee 1969

Language of Material: English.
 

Proposition J, 1970 1968-1971, bulk 1970

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 1-2

Precinct Lists 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 3

Petition Volunteers 1970

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 4

Call Sheets 1970

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 5

General Campaign Materials 1970-1971

Language of Material: English.
 

Anti-Vietnam War Organizations and Events 1964-1971

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Series III. contains meeting notes, flyers, correspondence, clippings, and other documents that reflect the activities of various civilian, GI, veteran, and student-led anti-Vietnam War organizations, and other political organizations.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.
 

Anti-War Organizations 1964-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 6

Vietnam Committee 1964

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 7

Socialist Worker's Party on Vietnam 1965-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 8

Jeannette Rankin Brigade 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 9

GI's United Against the War in Vietnam 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 10

Peace and Freedom Party 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 4, folder 11

Presidio 27, National Committee for the 27, GI Association 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 1

Student Mobilization Committee 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 2

Veterans for Peace in Vietnam 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 3

Organized Labor on Vietnam 1968-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 4

American Committee for Solidarity with the Vietnamese People 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 5

GI-Civilian Alliance for Peace (GI-CAP) 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 6

GI Civil Liberties Defense Committee, Fort Jackson Five 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 7

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 8

Vietnam Moratorium Committee 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 9

Women for Peace 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 10

Bay Area Peace Action Council (BAPAC) 1969-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 5, folder 11

New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, National Chapter (New Mobe) 1969-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 1

New Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, Western Chapter (New Mobe West) 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 2

Peace Action Council of Southern California 1970

Language of Material: English.
 

Other Organizations 1964-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 3

Area 2 Block Council, Committee to Save the Fillmore 1964

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 4

Black Panthers 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 5

Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 6

US Committee for Justice to Latin American Political prisoners (USLA Justice), Committee for Latin American Solidarity 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 7

Citizens for Lowering the Voting Age 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 8

Dennis Banks Defense Fund, March and Rally 1976

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 9

Miscellaneous Organizations 1964-1969

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Includes documents reflecting the activites of the Northern Californians to Abolish the House Un-Americans Committee, the American Friends Service Committee, and the Laotian Patriotic Front, among others.
 

Events 1965-1971

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 10

Vietnam Day Committee 1965-1966

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 11

Spring Mobilization 1967

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 12

Anti-War Demonstration, San Francisco April 27, 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 13

Democratic Party National Convention 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 14

GI March for Peace October 12, 1968

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 15

San Francisco State College Student Strike 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 6, folder 16

GI-Civilian Easter Peace March March 5, 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 1

GI-Civilian Easter Peace March, Financial Records 1965-1969, bulk 1968-1969

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 2

Fifth Avenue Peace Parade April 5, 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 3

Anti-War Conference, Cleveland, Ohio July 4-5, 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 4

November 15th Action 1969

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 5

Peace Action Council Anti-War March April 24, 1971

Language of Material: English.
box 7, folder 6

Various Anti-War Demonstrations 1969-1970, undated

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Contains flyers, newspaper articles, and press releases regarding the various Anti-War demonstrations, including the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, a Berkeley, California "Draft Card Turn-In," among others.
box 7, folder 7

Donor and Participant Lists 1967-1970

Language of Material: English.
box 8, folder 1-3

Newspaper Articles 1964-1970

Language of Material: English.