From Protest to Resistance
From Protest to Resistance
Helicopter hovering in the sky. City street, skyscrapers on either side, pedestrians and traffic. Male protester waving small American flag, politicking to pedestrians walking by on street corner. Crowd walking by (protesters), young man holding sign “Fighting in Vietnam is Un-American.” Man holding an American flag with a peace symbol. Other protesters marching behind making peace sings with fingers. Opening titles. Vietnam (anti-war) protesters marching down city street. Vietnam protesters marching, some holding protest signs; most of the protesters are white, young college-aged adults, some hippies; one young woman wears an Uncle Sam hat and holding a protest sign. Multiple shots cutting back and forward between formally dressed army recruits performing rifle drills at a military academy and Vietnam war protesters marching on the street.
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April 20 1964. President Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ) Giving speech in support of the war in Vietnam, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” LBJ states that the South Vietnamese need U.S. Support to protect their freedom.
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Riot police and Vietnam protesters (white, young adults) facing off on the street. Conservative man and liberal protester arguing. Conservative man is in support of U.S. Marines in Vietnam, tells protester they are wrong; man is ready to physically fight protester; man in military uniform holds him back. Men in military uniforms watching protesters march. Voiceover begins discussing the movements against racism and the Vietnam War. Protesters blocking traffic. Shots of police and protesters clashing.
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Anti-war protesters marching on street, passing row of parked buses.
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Still photos. Burning coach buses. African Americans sitting inside smoke filled bus
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Vietnam War protesters marching, some holding signs. Many white, young, college aged adults, some hippies.
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Stokely Carmichael, proponent of the Black Power movement, walking through crowd of African Americans. David Harris, non-violent draft resistance. Mario Savio, new radical politics, walking with wife and infant child in a carrier on his back.
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Animatronic statue for car wash, waving arm, sign on chest: “open.” Mario Savio and his wife talking and smiling. Mario walking to wife and child at beach, he sits in the sand with them. Group of elderly white men sitting on picnic table. Mario, his wife, and child playing on the sand on the beach.
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Mario Savio speaking at a 1964 free speech movement held at The University of California at Berkeley (for which Mario was arrested, spent four months in prison). Large audience cheering, young adults, college students.
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Mario Savio and wife sitting on beach, with their child, the discuss the involvement in political activities, their opposition to politics, living in America, Vietnam, and the American Empire. Mario states that it is very difficult for him and his wife not to talk about the war in Vietnam. People standing by store fronts and sitting on benches.
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Passing businesses, store fronts. Seems to be a poorer neighborhood. Stokely Carmichael sitting on bus, looking out window. Stokely Carmichael walking with large group of African Americans, possibly a march. Carmichael entering building in African American neighborhood. Voiceover discussing Carmichael’s break from the Student Non-Violent Coordination Committee to the Black Power Movement. Carmichael believes protests change little and that integration of African American into white society is neither possible nor desirable.
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Three African American men standing on the side of a building, smoking cigarettes. March 1965, Stokely Carmichael discussing his experiences in integrating into white society. He was told that an “exceptional negro” and intelligent boy and could get into an Ivy League school. Carmichael talks about playing by white society’s rules, in order to integrate with white society. Carmichael discusses how following white society’s rules was unrealistic and made him untrue to himself and his culture. Carmichael talks about moving down south to examine the power structure and how he learned more down south then he did anywhere else. He was taught to say whatever was on his mind when he wanted to.
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Stokely Carmichael riding bus. 1950s and 1960s cars parked outside of businesses in a rural southern town, poorer looking town, older buildings. Carmichael riding bus.
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Stokely Carmichael lounging with other African American men. Carmichael discusses the problem with obtaining the American Dream for both black and white Americans. Carmichael discusses United States' status as the most powerful nation in the world and if it has achieved its status the exploitation of other countries. Poster of an African American man holding a sign that says “Now”. Other African American Men seated around Carmichael listening while he speaks.
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Stokely Carmichael giving a speech at an Anti-Vietnam War peace rally. Carmichael discusses the United States’ exploitation of other races and nations in the name of Manifest Destiny and Anti-Communism.
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Protesters at Anti-Vietnam rally. Hippies, counter-cultural, young adults, college students. Protest sign for peace. David Harris, former Student Body President of Stanford University, delivering speech at Anti-Vietnam rally. David Harris states that the brutality in Vietnam is a reflection of the brutality of American life. He speaks out against the draft and draft cards.
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David Harris walking around a city landscape. Narration talks about David Harris’ work as an anti-draft organizer. David Harris talks about growing up in Fresno, California, and going to Stanford University. Harris shaving, in front of mirror. Harris leaves house, walking along street, with dog. David Harris riding motorcycle. Harris visiting bookstore. Newspaper “Two Dead in Race Riot.” Harris reading newspaper outside on college campus (possibly Stanford), college students around campus.
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David Harris sitting on grass lawn, another young man next to him. Harris talking about jail, imprisonment for draft dodging, draft refusal, draft resistance. Cat or kitten in grass. Harris playing with cat. Harris catching volleyball and throwing it, climbs down from top of bus. David Harris talking, non-cooperation with draft and jail
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Group of young white men, including David Harris, at draft procedure information meeting, discussion group. conscientious objectors to draft for Vietnam. One man smoking in group, holding ashtray (smoking indoors). Men discuss prison, avoiding draft, and public opinion on avoiding the draft
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United States draft dodgers fleeing to Canada POV through wind shield of car, driving on highway. USA-Canada border signs. United States-Canada border crossing station (Canada Immigration), cars in line, drive up booths, entering Canada. American Flag, Canadian Flag, British Flag. POVs driving Canada Tourism signs. Cars driving on street in Canadian town, freeway sign, traffic on bridge, residential houses.
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Group of young, predominantly white, American men (draft dodgers) inside a Canadian house, discussing why they dodged the draft in the United States and fled to Canada. Some women are also in the house.
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Young white American man (draft dodger) working in Canadian industrial park, (metal yard, scapyard, construction). Putting wood beams on back of truck. Securing steel beam on crane hook. Discussing leaving father, leaving home, fighting the draft, fighting the US government. Coming to Canada or going to jail. Men with hard hats exiting warehouse.
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Canadian groups and committees forming to assist United States draft dodgers coming to Canada. Canadian sociology professor, Louis Feldhammer, member of a committee assisting draft dodgers coming to Canada. Man smoking pipe. Louis Feldhammer: Draft dodgers are not rejecting American culture, should not be condemned
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Young man (Vietnam war draft dodger in Canada) taking lunch break at work, construction site.
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Group of young men (draft dodgers). Discussing older generation’s opinion (counter culture vs. older generation), number of draft dodgers increasing, political scene in the United States. Vintage, glass, Coke bottle (empty). “Yankees Come Home” written on wall.
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Road sign, bus driving on street. Highway sign for USA-Canada Border.
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Anti-war Vietnam protesters, (young, white adults) marching on street. Protest signs, flags. Police officers. Angry male driver gesturing at protesters. Police mounted on horseback (horse police). Road closed sign. Man smoking cigarette, pickup truck with PA system.
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1967 Vietnam protest march entering Kezar Stadium, San Francisco. Protesters gathered at Kezar Stadium for Vietnam protest rally. Men giving speeches at rally. David Harris, sitting alone, on field. Protesters exiting stadium
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Mario Savio, sitting on beach discussing ineffectiveness of protests. Protesters leaving Kezar Stadium, San Francisco. Crowd walking through stadium parking lot. One man is carrying an American flag. People exiting stadium. Climbing bleachers. Mario Savio. Young, white, woman (hippie) carrying large flower wreath. Crowd exiting stadium. Walking on pavement outside. People handing out flyers, ground littered with papers. Mario Savio: Protests don’t work.
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History Professor William Appleman Williams, author of “The Tragedy of American Diplomacy,” discussing the absence of tradition in radical politics in America. Protesters exiting Kezar Stadium. David Harris.
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Mario Savio in his backyard, playing catch. Mario Savio’s wife and child playing with wind chimes. Mario carrying his child into the kitchen. Child in highchair. Mario, wife, and child at kitchen table. Mario feeding child. Mario Savio discussing political alternatives, race, economics, avoid hateful reactions to political issues. Wife cleaning child after eating, feeding child a glass of milk. Mario Savio discussing the politics of white middle class radicals.
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Highway traffic. Billboard for Diet-Rite cola. Mario and wife walking on overpass, highway traffic underneath. Child in carrier on Mario’s back.
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Oakland California, October 16th 1967, Vietnam draft Protest. Protesters chanting “Stop the draft now.” Protesters (white, young adults) and police facing off in streets. Protesters sitting in middle of street, blocking traffic. Police moving sitting protesters. Protesters creating makeshift barriers in the streets using boxes, garbage cans, etc. blocked traffic police with riot helmets and clubs (nightsticks) dismantling barriers. Police chasing and pushing protesters, Police hitting white man on ground with clubs. Protesters talking about police brutality and the move from peaceful protests to confrontation. Protesters flipping car over, random oven in middle of street. Man talking about escalation of protest actions. Police in the street with detained protester, police hanging on to moving police van. White woman holding signs “Support our troops in Vietnam,” (pro-Vietnam demonstrator). Police on balcony. People watching protest from window. Car being towed. Police officer, protesters behind him, some have bandages on their heads.
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Mario Savio discussing how making protests the center of a political program can scare the population. Protesters in street blocking cars. Group of women outside of hair salon discussing their views on the draft protesters; they believe the protesters should just accept the draft. Older woman makes comment implying dirty hippies need baths. Police marching in street with helmets and clubs. Young white protester blocking traffic, gets into fight with older African American woman, hits protester in the face. Various people sharing the opinions on the Vietnam War and protests (some support it, some against it).
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Overturned car, wheel spinning. Anti-war Vietnam protesters in street, Police watching. Police and protesters standing off in street.
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Mario Savio discussing pacifism. Anti-war Vietnam protesters marching (young, white adults). Protesters blocking traffic in streets. Police with riot helmets and clubs. Mario Savio discussing the ineffectiveness of protests. Protesters in streets. Row of police buses, transport buses, prisoner buses.
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College students (young white adults) protesting on University of California campus. Sit-down protest. Protesters stand and take turns giving speeches. Angry speeches. Disorganized.
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University of California professor Herbert Marcuse discussing politics with students: protests, forming a political party, political movements, radicals, revolution.
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William Appleman Williams discussing disorganization and lack of direction, no coordination with white Americans protesting. White anti-war protesters marching, holding up peace signs with fingers. William Appleman Williams says Black Power Movement has the organization, unity, and cohesion that white protest groups lack. Cars parked outside of businesses along rural back road, sign for Tougaloo College (rural deep south). Sign in window for Stokely Carmichael.
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Stokely Carmichael delivering speeches at Black Power rallies. Calls for coming together rather than individualism. African Americans must unite in the fight for liberation. Outdoor rally, African American college campus. Some people have umbrellas (light rain). Strictly young college-aged African American Audience.
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Stokely Carmichael being introduced to speak at an indoor Black Power rally. Predominantly African American Audience (some white people) cheering. White cameramen. Stokely Carmichael speech: no longer try to fit into white society’s role (collapse of integration movement), we (African Americans) are beautiful, black pride. Predominantly African American Audience cheering (white people in audience are silent and still, not cheering).
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March 1965. Stokely Carmichael discussing the role that white people are comfortable with African Americans playing in society and the threat white people perceive to their status when African Americans break out of that role.
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Stokely Carmichael delivering speech at Black Power rally: the government is against violence, but they still send people to Vietnam. Predominantly African American audience standing and cheering (one white man). “This is the most violent society (American Society) there is.”
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Stokely Carmichael casually lounging with other African American men (one black woman), discussing how society was headed toward violence. White individualism. Collective white guilt.
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Stokely Carmichael casually lounging with other African American men (One African American Woman). Discussing how society was headed toward violence. White individualism. Collective white guilt.
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Stokely Carmichael and an African American man holding a baby, talking. Carmichael and man with baby talk about going to Vietnam; man with baby is going to Vietnam (drafted, Vietnam War). Stokely Carmichael speech at Black Power rally: We are against the war in Vietnam and the draft. Choice of going to jail (refusing draft) or becoming a hired killer (becoming an American soldier in Vietnam). Mentions Muhammad Ali response to draft “Hell no I ain’t going.” Audience chanting.
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African Americans marching. Draft protests. Police. White protesters marching. Anti-Vietnam, Anti-draft. Military cadets in formal dress, marching, rifle drills, exercises at military academy. Fighter jets, American flag. Submarine.
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October 1967. David Harris, spokesman for the Non-Violent Resistance (Anti-Vietnam, draft resistance). Mass turning in of draft cards at the San Francisco Federal Building. Draft card burning. Crowd sings “This Little Light of Mine.” David Harris delivering speech: Anti-draft, against Selective Service, against American Empire, calls for end to American conscription and end to American Empire.
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David Harris riding motorcycle. David Harris discussing the situation that America is in. Talks about new way of living. Talks about new political ideas. David Harris and associates handing out flyers. David Harris talks about destroying the old society and its ideas, build a new society based on love, with non-violence. David Harris riding motorcycle.
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David Harris discussing communes and communal living. David Harris at his commune, outside with other commune members (white men). David Harris outside at table with commune members, discussing forming of community.
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David Harris speaking at anti-draft demonstration (San Francisco Federal Building draft card turn-in). Draft cards being gathered in basket. David Harris: say no to draft, resist. Non-cooperation has made Vietnam War difficult. Society is breaking up.
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Mario Savio looking at jewelry store window display (window shopping). Mario Savio discussing youth’s resistance to Vietnam War. Vietnam has made clear government lies. Mario Savio seated in audience at auditorium, reading through papers. Talks about political power.
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Movement to gain political power. New politics. People (mixed race crowd, white and African American) entering school auditorium for political rally. California Peace and Freedom Party. Bobby Seale, Black Panther, delivering speech at Peace and Freedom Party rally, party candidate for congress; speaks about African American life in the ghetto.
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Mario Savio, Peace and Freedom Party, California State Senate candidate, delivering speech at political rally: we are losing Vietnam War. Mario Savio voiceover, talking about union between Anti-Vietnam movement and Black Liberation movement; brings up need for white liberation movement after war is over. Mario Savio speech: United States is a barrier to world peace. America has an opportunity to bring peace and freedom.
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Vietnam anti-war protesters marching in street. Young white adults, college aged, countercultural. Helicopter. People in street. White men taking notes at lecture or press meeting. Police officers. End credits. Helicopter