Free speech movement (origins)

The free speech movement took place in UC Berkley, being known as the first mass civil disobedience action to occur on a college campus in the ’60s. It set the pace for future Anti-Vietnam war protests since it gave the protesters leverage over the university.

T

he events took place in 1964 when students started to take part in off-campus political public demonstrations, which the university correlated to the information-tables set in its entrance where the enrolled could gather and share their political thoughts. As a response, the dean sent out a letter announcing that not only recruiting and collecting money from students, but also participating in off-campus political activities was no longer allowed. Eight students went against this rule and were called for a disciplinary hearing, 500 students joined in a sit-in at the Sprout hall to show sympathy, despite it, the eight students were suspended.

A day later, Jack Weinberg, in protest, arranged an information table for which he was later arrested. While in the police car to be escorted, hundreds, at one point even thousands of students gathered surrounding the car and chanting “Release him! Release him!”, he remained inside for 36 hours. At one point, Mario Savio even stood upon the car to deliver his now highly recognized speech. After a meeting with a committee, Mario announced to the crowd they were going to dismiss the charges against Jack and that the policy on in-campus political activities is being reviewed. Students regrouped and organized naming the cause “Free Speech Movement”.