“The park was a little island of peace and hope,” according to UC Berkeley professor of English, Denise Levertov. Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image used by kind permission of the publisher.

50 years ago, a group of students, activists and community members transformed a muddy, junk-filled parking lot into a park. When the University of California, under heavy pressure from Gov. Ronald Reagan, tore up the grass and surrounded the land with a heavily-guarded fence, this response triggered a surreal and tragic set of events. The maelstrom of violence that engulfed Berkeley in May 1969 would be almost impossible to believe if the cameras hadn’t been rolling.

Dozens were shot, hundreds were arrested, and thousands were teargassed – protesters and innocent bystanders alike. During the military occupation of Berkeley by National Guardsmen, a helicopter launched a chemical attack on the University campus, children were surrounded by bayonet-wielding soldiers, and journalists were detained under the supervision of brutally sadistic guards. Following the upheaval, Gov. Reagan cracked, “If it takes a bloodbath, let’s get it over with, no more appeasement.”

This episode explores the conflict with Tom Dalzell, the author of “The Battle for People’s Park” (Heyday Books), and through archival audio captured by KPFA-FM reporters in 1969 and 1970.

On May 20, 1969, a National Guard helicopter sprayed UC Berkeley’s campus with CS gas. Children in several nearby schools were sickened and terrified. Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image used by kind permission of the publisher.

Author Tom Dalzell will be speaking and signing books at these upcoming events:

May 11: Book Release: The Battle for People’s Park, Berkeley 1969

May 15: The Battle for People’s Park: 50th Anniversary Teach-In

Before the construction of People’s Park, the University-owned land sat vacant for more than a year. Photo: Alan Copeland. Image used by kind permission of the publisher

“The park was a living example of the value of sharing.”-Dave Minkus, quoted in “The Battle for People’s Park.” Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image used by kind permission of the publisher.

“Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies were dubbed ‘Blue Meanies’ by protesters, referencing the characters from the Beatles’ animated film Yellow Submarine.” Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image and caption used by kind permission of the publisher.

“Some demonstrators threw rocks and bricks at police and when tear gas canisters landed near them, they threw them back.” Photo: John Jekabson. Image and caption used by kind permission of the publisher.



James Rector was standing on the rooftop of a bookstore at 2509 Telegraph Avenue when he was fatally shot by an Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy. Photographic evidence supports eyewitness claims that Rector did not throw anything at the officer. Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image used by kind permission of the publisher.

“Berkeley High School Students face National Guardsmen at Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus.” Photo: © Nacio Jan Brown. Image and caption used by kind permission of the publisher.

People’s Park in 2019: Crowds recently gathered to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary with music, free food, art and dancing. Photo: Liam O’Donoghue.

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