Activism of the 1980s Collection
General International Standard for Archival Description
Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Activism of the 1980s Photograph Collection
Creation of Activism of the 1980s Photograph Collection
Time of Creation of Activism of the 1980s Photograph Collection
Biographical History for: Activism of the 1980s Photograph Collection
Historical Note Ban the CIA During the academic year 1986-1987, three students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a year-long photographic documentation of political demonstrations and protests. Charles F. Carroll, Byrne Guarnotta, and Libby Hubbard captured images of marches ranging from a Take Back the Night march to rallies for gay rights and protests against racism, American support for the apartheid regime in South Africa, and nuclear weapons. The most volatile point of protest during that year, however, centered on US policy in Central America, and particularly the CIA support of death squads and Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The arrival of a CIA recruiter on campus in November proved to be a flash point, drawing in other activists from throughout the region and, as tensions rose, mobilizing students on both the left and right. On November 13, the Radical Student Union (RSU) organized a protest at the University Career Center where the CIA had planned to hold a "pre-interview information session." Although the RSU succeeded in forcing the recruiters to cancel the session, they learned the next morning that the interviews had actually been shifted to an undisclosed location elsewhere on campus. In response, a number of protesters marched on the office of Chancellor Joseph Duffey in the Whitmore Administration Building to complain of the University's complicity in dealing with the CIA. Finding the main entrance to Whitmore locked down, they tried several other entrances, eventually gaining admittance to the Affirmative Action office through an unlocked side door. Their efforts to reach the Chancellor were unavailing, and when University police were called in, eleven were placed under arrest for trespass. The occupation of Whitmore, however, was only the beginning of troubles. Five days later, a group of students presented a set of demands to the administration, asking (among other things) that the University bar CIA recruiters from campus. As tensions mounted, long-time activist Abbie Hoffman phoned members of the RSU, offering to come to campus to hold a workshop and take part in the demonstrations. Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter and then a sophomore at Brown University, also came. When the protesters received what they regarded as a tepid and inadequate response to their demands, a crowd of approximately 700 protesters gathered, including Hoffman and Carter, and rallied in front of the Student Union Building before marching on Whitmore. Confronted by a police barricade, approximately 150 members of the crowd broke off and entered adjacent Munson Hall, occupying it for several hours. By the evening, state police in riot gear were called in, and wielding batons and dogs, they began removing the protesters one by one. As the crowd outside chanted "The whole world is watching," 51 were taken under arrest, thirteen of whom -- including Hoffman (who was inside Munson) and Carter (who was outside) -- were singled out and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct. Throughout, smaller groups right wing counter-protesters squared off against the much larger anti-CIA crowd, complaining that denying access to the recruiters was unpatriotic and an infringement on their rights. In April 1987, the defendants were tried in the Hampshire County Court House in Northampton. The defense team, led by Leonard Weinglass, raised a "necessity defense" based on provisions in Commonwealth law that exonerate those charged with crimes if they reasonably believed that their actions would prevent the "clear and immediate threat" of greater harm. Judge Richard F. Connon allowed the defense and admitted the testimony of a number of prominent left-wing political figures who provided testimony on the CIA's support for death squads, assassinations, and other illegal activities. The defense succeeded. Although it is unclear whether necessity held greater sway among jurors than the belief that disorderly conduct did not apply, the jury's exoneration of the defendants was widely understood as a rebuke to the CIA and to University policy.
Acquired Aug. 12, 1999.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Activism in the 1980s Collection contains 64 mounted photographs depicting marches, demonstrations, and protests in Amherst and Northampton, Mass. Taken by Charles F. Carroll, Byrne Guarnotta, and Libby Hubbard, all UMass Amherst students, the photographs are a vivid record of campus and community activism in the mid-1980s, and especially the mobilization against the CIA and American intervention in Central America and the arrest and trial of Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman. Although the protests against the CIA and American policy in Central America predominate, the collection also includes images of events ranging from a Take Back the Night march to rallies for gay rights and protests against racism, American support for the apartheid regime in South Africa, and nuclear weapons. Seven photographs depict right wing counter-demonstrators protesting at the trial of Carter and Hoffman.
The collection is open for research.
Related Material For related collections, see: Radical Student Union Records (RG 45/80 R1)University Records: Student Protests and Demonstrations -- CIA Recruitment (RG 45/101)CIA on Trial Project (MS 508)
Processed by Dexter Haven, 2008.
Anti-apartheid movements--Massachusetts.
lcsh
Central America--Foreign relations--United States.
CIA on Trial Project (Amherst, Mass.)
Demonstrations--Massachusetts.
Student movements.
United States--Foreign relations--Central America.
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Carter, Amy.
usmu
Hoffman, Abbie.
Carroll, Charles F.
Guarnotta, Byrne.
Hubbard, Libby.
University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Radical Student Union.
aat
series
CIA protests at UMass Amherst
Creation of CIA protests at UMass Amherst
Time of Creation of CIA protests at UMass Amherst
item
Crowd of protesters at University Career Center, with anti-CIA placard
Creation of Crowd of protesters at University Career Center, with anti-CIA placard
Time of Creation of Crowd of protesters at University Career Center, with anti-CIA placard
Graffiti on wall outside University Gallery reading "CIA out of UMass"
Creation of Graffiti on wall outside University Gallery reading "CIA out of UMass"
Time of Creation of Graffiti on wall outside University Gallery reading "CIA out of UMass"
Interior shot of student occupation of Munson Hall
Creation of Interior shot of student occupation of Munson Hall
Time of Creation of Interior shot of student occupation of Munson Hall
Piles of student newspaper The Minutemen, with headline "Does Freedom Reign? CIA. . . where your opinions are as diverse as your interests"
Creation of Piles of student newspaper The Minutemen, with headline "Does Freedom Reign? CIA. . . where your opinions are as diverse as your interests"
Time of Creation of Piles of student newspaper The Minutemen, with headline "Does Freedom Reign? CIA. . . where your opinions are as diverse as your interests"
Rally on lawn with banners reading "CIA out of UMass" and "Students united will never be defeated"
Creation of Rally on lawn with banners reading "CIA out of UMass" and "Students united will never be defeated"
Time of Creation of Rally on lawn with banners reading "CIA out of UMass" and "Students united will never be defeated"
Student being carried off, covered with fake blood
Creation of Student being carried off, covered with fake blood
Time of Creation of Student being carried off, covered with fake blood
Student march toward Whitmore Hall. Passing by Herter Hall
Creation of Student march toward Whitmore Hall. Passing by Herter Hall
Time of Creation of Student march toward Whitmore Hall. Passing by Herter Hall
Student occupation of Munson Hall, with banner reading "Covert Inhuman Atrocities"
Creation of Student occupation of Munson Hall, with banner reading "Covert Inhuman Atrocities"
Time of Creation of Student occupation of Munson Hall, with banner reading "Covert Inhuman Atrocities"
Students arrested and dragged off by police
Creation of Students arrested and dragged off by police
Time of Creation of Students arrested and dragged off by police
Students occupying Munson Hall, Climbing in second story window
Creation of Students occupying Munson Hall, Climbing in second story window
Time of Creation of Students occupying Munson Hall, Climbing in second story window
Throng of protesters on UMass campus, one waving a large American flag
Creation of Throng of protesters on UMass campus, one waving a large American flag
Time of Creation of Throng of protesters on UMass campus, one waving a large American flag
"Students for a Socially Responsible University -- Radical Student Union. Amy Carter, CIA on Trial" [Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses]
Creation of "Students for a Socially Responsible University -- Radical Student Union. Amy Carter, CIA on Trial" [Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses]
Time of Creation of "Students for a Socially Responsible University -- Radical Student Union. Amy Carter, CIA on Trial" [Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses]
Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses
Creation of Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses
Time of Creation of Police in riot gear and dogs staging by UMass buses
Altered sign in unidentified building reading "CIA no" and "Justice and freedom" with shaving cream graffiti of anarchist A and "No way"
Creation of Altered sign in unidentified building reading "CIA no" and "Justice and freedom" with shaving cream graffiti of anarchist A and "No way"
Time of Creation of Altered sign in unidentified building reading "CIA no" and "Justice and freedom" with shaving cream graffiti of anarchist A and "No way"
Police and onlookers
Creation of Police and onlookers
Time of Creation of Police and onlookers
Unidentified protesters in office, one wearing t-shirt "Nicaragua libre"
Creation of Unidentified protesters in office, one wearing t-shirt "Nicaragua libre"
Time of Creation of Unidentified protesters in office, one wearing t-shirt "Nicaragua libre"
"CIA on campus student protest" [meeting and panel discussion in Campus Center]
Creation of "CIA on campus student protest" [meeting and panel discussion in Campus Center]
Time of Creation of "CIA on campus student protest" [meeting and panel discussion in Campus Center]
"Students for a Socially Responsible University (Radical Student Union)" [Chalk outlines of people on sidewalk with words Draper and Bombs]
Creation of "Students for a Socially Responsible University (Radical Student Union)" [Chalk outlines of people on sidewalk with words Draper and Bombs]
Time of Creation of "Students for a Socially Responsible University (Radical Student Union)" [Chalk outlines of people on sidewalk with words Draper and Bombs]
Hubbard, Libby
"Students protest CIA" by University Art Gallery
Creation of "Students protest CIA" by University Art Gallery
Time of Creation of "Students protest CIA" by University Art Gallery
Students protest CIA
"Students protest" [speaker in front of crowd holding bullhorn, wearing t-shirt reading "Put the CIA on trial"
Creation of "Students protest" [speaker in front of crowd holding bullhorn, wearing t-shirt reading "Put the CIA on trial"
Time of Creation of "Students protest" [speaker in front of crowd holding bullhorn, wearing t-shirt reading "Put the CIA on trial"
"Students take over forum"
Creation of "Students take over forum"
Time of Creation of "Students take over forum"
Anti-CIA skit at Student Union Art Gallery
Creation of Anti-CIA skit at Student Union Art Gallery
Time of Creation of Anti-CIA skit at Student Union Art Gallery
Elderly man carrying placard reading "Not a penny to the Contra cutthroats," standing by pond and markers for victims of Contra violence
Creation of Elderly man carrying placard reading "Not a penny to the Contra cutthroats," standing by pond and markers for victims of Contra violence
Time of Creation of Elderly man carrying placard reading "Not a penny to the Contra cutthroats," standing by pond and markers for victims of Contra violence
Markers placed on lawn by pond commemorating victims of Contra violence
Creation of Markers placed on lawn by pond commemorating victims of Contra violence
Time of Creation of Markers placed on lawn by pond commemorating victims of Contra violence
Protesters at Student Union with banner reading "Rafael Eduardo Garcia student assassinated April 14, 1987 in El Salvador. Stop CIA death squad crimes"
Creation of Protesters at Student Union with banner reading "Rafael Eduardo Garcia student assassinated April 14, 1987 in El Salvador. Stop CIA death squad crimes"
Time of Creation of Protesters at Student Union with banner reading "Rafael Eduardo Garcia student assassinated April 14, 1987 in El Salvador. Stop CIA death squad crimes"
Protesters in front of Student Union Building with anti-CIA banners
Creation of Protesters in front of Student Union Building with anti-CIA banners
Time of Creation of Protesters in front of Student Union Building with anti-CIA banners
Unidentified woman talking with crowd, man probably at student takeover of forum
Creation of Unidentified woman talking with crowd, man probably at student takeover of forum
Time of Creation of Unidentified woman talking with crowd, man probably at student takeover of forum
CIA: Trial of Abbie Hoffman and Amy Carter
Creation of CIA: Trial of Abbie Hoffman and Amy Carter
Time of Creation of CIA: Trial of Abbie Hoffman and Amy Carter
Abbie Hoffman lying on floor, talking with students
Creation of Abbie Hoffman lying on floor, talking with students
Time of Creation of Abbie Hoffman lying on floor, talking with students
Amy Carter at the microphone
Creation of Amy Carter at the microphone
Time of Creation of Amy Carter at the microphone
Protester with sign reading "Ban the CIA not protesters" in front of Whitmore Building, UMass
Creation of Protester with sign reading "Ban the CIA not protesters" in front of Whitmore Building, UMass
Time of Creation of Protester with sign reading "Ban the CIA not protesters" in front of Whitmore Building, UMass
Protester with sign reading "Ban the CIA not protesters"
"Abby in court"
Creation of "Abby in court"
Time of Creation of "Abby in court"
View of courtroom, Northampton, with Abby Hoffman standing
"CIA Trial -- Abby"
Creation of "CIA Trial -- Abby"
Time of Creation of "CIA Trial -- Abby"
Abby Hoffman and crowd in courtroom, Northampton
"CIA trial"
Creation of "CIA trial"
Time of Creation of "CIA trial"
Amy Carter and students raising fists on steps of Northampton Courthouse and holding banner reading "On to Washington!" probably after trial
"Jay Allare -- Northampton CIA trial"
Creation of "Jay Allare -- Northampton CIA trial"
Time of Creation of "Jay Allare -- Northampton CIA trial"
Group on steps of Northampton courthouse
Creation of Group on steps of Northampton courthouse
Time of Creation of Group on steps of Northampton courthouse
"Amy Carter Victory over CIA"
Creation of "Amy Carter Victory over CIA"
Time of Creation of "Amy Carter Victory over CIA"
Amy Carter hugging supporters in court room, Northampton
Anti-CIA protesters in Northampton with placards reading "CIA sponsors international terrorism;" "Nancy just say no to the CIA," and "Stockwell lies"
Creation of Anti-CIA protesters in Northampton with placards reading "CIA sponsors international terrorism;" "Nancy just say no to the CIA," and "Stockwell lies"
Time of Creation of Anti-CIA protesters in Northampton with placards reading "CIA sponsors international terrorism;" "Nancy just say no to the CIA," and "Stockwell lies"
Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman at press conference
Creation of Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman at press conference
Time of Creation of Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman at press conference
Guarnotta, Byrne
Familiar man
Creation of Familiar man
Time of Creation of Familiar man
Familiar woman
Creation of Familiar woman
Time of Creation of Familiar woman
Firemen outside Hampshire County Courthouse
Creation of Firemen outside Hampshire County Courthouse
Time of Creation of Firemen outside Hampshire County Courthouse
Other protests at UMass Amherst
Creation of Other protests at UMass Amherst
Time of Creation of Other protests at UMass Amherst
"Black students protest"
Creation of "Black students protest"
Time of Creation of "Black students protest"
"Gay rights"
Creation of "Gay rights"
Time of Creation of "Gay rights"
Banner in window of Machmer Hall(?) reading Lesbian Union
"Take back the night -- Women's movement"
Creation of "Take back the night -- Women's movement"
Time of Creation of "Take back the night -- Women's movement"
Take back the night march
"US military recruitment on campus"
Creation of "US military recruitment on campus"
Time of Creation of "US military recruitment on campus"
Night rally with placards reading "Fight racism" and "El Pueblo Unido"
Creation of Night rally with placards reading "Fight racism" and "El Pueblo Unido"
Time of Creation of Night rally with placards reading "Fight racism" and "El Pueblo Unido"
Protesters occupying Whitmore Hall
Creation of Protesters occupying Whitmore Hall
Time of Creation of Protesters occupying Whitmore Hall
Sign taped to door: "Students are now occupying Whitmore over the right to control student activities money"
Creation of Sign taped to door: "Students are now occupying Whitmore over the right to control student activities money"
Time of Creation of Sign taped to door: "Students are now occupying Whitmore over the right to control student activities money"
Staged die-in beneath banner reading "Preparation for nuclear war is preparation for suicide"
Creation of Staged die-in beneath banner reading "Preparation for nuclear war is preparation for suicide"
Time of Creation of Staged die-in beneath banner reading "Preparation for nuclear war is preparation for suicide"
Staged die in
Unidentified speaker
Creation of Unidentified speaker
Time of Creation of Unidentified speaker
Unidentified student and official(?) seated at conference table
Creation of Unidentified student and official(?) seated at conference table
Time of Creation of Unidentified student and official(?) seated at conference table
Woman greeted at door of Whitmore Hall by police officer and official
Creation of Woman greeted at door of Whitmore Hall by police officer and official
Time of Creation of Woman greeted at door of Whitmore Hall by police officer and official
Protester in helmet and cape holding up "complaint form" before students (skit)
Creation of Protester in helmet and cape holding up "complaint form" before students (skit)
Time of Creation of Protester in helmet and cape holding up "complaint form" before students (skit)
Unidentified woman in front of blackboard with tally of votes
Creation of Unidentified woman in front of blackboard with tally of votes
Time of Creation of Unidentified woman in front of blackboard with tally of votes
Right wing counter-demonstrations
Creation of Right wing counter-demonstrations
Time of Creation of Right wing counter-demonstrations
Handbill posted on podium reading "Stop Communism a protest of the Soviet Union Sponsored by the UMass Republican Club"
Creation of Handbill posted on podium reading "Stop Communism a protest of the Soviet Union Sponsored by the UMass Republican Club"
Time of Creation of Handbill posted on podium reading "Stop Communism a protest of the Soviet Union Sponsored by the UMass Republican Club"
Banner on bus kiosk, Northampton, reading "Amy & Abbie came to UMass now it's time to kick their ass!"
Creation of Banner on bus kiosk, Northampton, reading "Amy & Abbie came to UMass now it's time to kick their ass!"
Time of Creation of Banner on bus kiosk, Northampton, reading "Amy & Abbie came to UMass now it's time to kick their ass!"
Crowd of right wing protesters carrying anti-Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman placards, Northampton, American flag, and Ronald Reagan poster
Creation of Crowd of right wing protesters carrying anti-Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman placards, Northampton, American flag, and Ronald Reagan poster
Time of Creation of Crowd of right wing protesters carrying anti-Amy Carter and Abbie Hoffman placards, Northampton, American flag, and Ronald Reagan poster
Protester standing by effigy of Abbie Hoffman dressed in Moscow University sweatshirt hanging from tree, Northampton Courthouse
Creation of Protester standing by effigy of Abbie Hoffman dressed in Moscow University sweatshirt hanging from tree, Northampton Courthouse
Time of Creation of Protester standing by effigy of Abbie Hoffman dressed in Moscow University sweatshirt hanging from tree, Northampton Courthouse
Banners hanging on building (possibly Beta Kappa Phi frat) reading "If you don't love American then leave!" and "CIA the American way, Beat it liberals"
Creation of Banners hanging on building (possibly Beta Kappa Phi frat) reading "If you don't love American then leave!" and "CIA the American way, Beat it liberals"
Time of Creation of Banners hanging on building (possibly Beta Kappa Phi frat) reading "If you don't love American then leave!" and "CIA the American way, Beat it liberals"
Protester with placed reading "Nuke Happy Valley"
Creation of Protester with placed reading "Nuke Happy Valley"
Time of Creation of Protester with placed reading "Nuke Happy Valley"
Nuke Happy Valley
"Right students protest" [protesters in front of Student Union carrying signs "Student money is student money," "Student rights," "We give an inch they take our trust fund," and "Randy the Donut, Get the hole out of office"
Creation of "Right students protest" [protesters in front of Student Union carrying signs "Student money is student money," "Student rights," "We give an inch they take our trust fund," and "Randy the Donut, Get the hole out of office"
Time of Creation of "Right students protest" [protesters in front of Student Union carrying signs "Student money is student money," "Student rights," "We give an inch they take our trust fund," and "Randy the Donut, Get the hole out of office"
Anti-apartheid and disinvestment protests
Creation of Anti-apartheid and disinvestment protests
Time of Creation of Anti-apartheid and disinvestment protests
Sign altered in administrative offices to read Apartheid Office -- Vice Chancellor for South Africa -- Defeat Racism 4 love & peace
Creation of Sign altered in administrative offices to read Apartheid Office -- Vice Chancellor for South Africa -- Defeat Racism 4 love & peace
Time of Creation of Sign altered in administrative offices to read Apartheid Office -- Vice Chancellor for South Africa -- Defeat Racism 4 love & peace
South African divestment march at UMass
Creation of South African divestment march at UMass
Time of Creation of South African divestment march at UMass
Signs read "Embargo South Africa not Nicaragua," "Divest now," and "Ban apartheid"