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Peace and Freedom Party Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2014-005

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1933 - 1980

Conditions Governing Use

Peace and Freedom Papers is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

14.59 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

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.

Arrangement

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.

Title
Peace and Freedom Party Collection
Author
M. Thomas Castor
Date
2015
Language of description
English
Script of description
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Library South, Room 2079, 5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles CA 90032
(323)343-3960