6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMONS DECEMBER 30, 2022 Odile Hugonot Haber was visisting People's Park in December 2022 when she documented the destruction of the park by the University of California. They intend to build student housing in its place. People's Park is a very famous historical place and the site of an epic battle ODILE HUGONOT HABER Groundcover contributor A battle of epic proportions is happening in Berkeley, California even now, a continuation of a battle first fought in the 1960s on 62 acres in the middle of Berkeley. It was won by the people and gave birth to the famed People's Park. In the aftermath of the “Free Speech” which consisted of students speaking about the effect of the war in Vietnam, in particular we remember the Mario Savio speech: “There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part! And you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels…upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you got to make it stop!” When, in the summer of 1969, the peace activists were kicked off Provo Park, they went to do their peace events on a piece of land nearby, off campus. There they built a Free Speech Stage where they could continue their anti-war speeches and actions. That land had been seized by the University under eminent domain a year before. They had demolished the 53 red, shingle-topped houses that had served as habitations to students, leftists, artists — a poorer population that the university blamed for being the "counter culture” that was at the base of the peace and freedom movement. The UC said they wanted to build student housing but left the land in shambles and progressively people moved onto it, women with their children at first. People started digging, laid sod, planted flowers, trees, and built a playground for the children. Some people were crucial in advancing the project and raising money for it. They were Michael Delacour, Jon Reed, Wendy Schlesinger, Frank Bardacke, Stew Albert, Judy Gumbo and so many others … The idea went public and grew big … They reclaimed the land that had been taken long ago — from the Costanoan Indians, also known as Ohlone; they believed that the land was under the care of the people who used it and lived on it. On May 15, 1969, known also as Bloody Thursday, 5,000 people gathered and marched to the steps of Sproul Hall. They also confronted the police, erecting a fence around the park. Mayor Johnson called for martial law and Governor Reagan activated the National Guard. Eventually buckshot was fired; 150 people were wounded, 40 were hospitalized, one became blind and James Rector was killed. The battles lasted a week. Eventually people put flowers in the guns, and peace came back. People’s Park went on. People’s Park was well known around the world as a people’s victory and a successful Commons. The park was neglected by the University, but it grew more beautiful as the people worked. "Everyone gets a blister” was the park’s motto, posted on a mural outside. Over the years, as Berkeley grew to be exorbitantly expensive, artists and activists left, so the park was neglected and some drugs dealers moved in. Nevertheless the garden continued to grow, sheltering many bird species, and while the University liked to call it a “crime scene,” there was apparently much less crime there than in the 20 blocks around that area. Recently the University decided one more time to grow student housing. On August 22, 2022 they came with Caterpillars and started butchering all the remaining plants — redwoods, palm trees and rose bushes — and destroying gardens. The park looked terrible with parts of trunks thrown everywhere. They said they are building 1,100 apartment for students and some for community members, and that 60% of the park will remain and be memorialized, as they will abide by the landmark designation. The Park Defense has challenged the University in courts for its failure to have an adequate environmental report. For now, activists got the courts to place an injunction on any construction until November. They would like to see the University consider other alternatives. Activists fear that the university will wait for a time when no one is paying attention to continue their sinister business. While 48,000 students, researchers, and staff are on strike at the University of California, the cost of living seems to be more of an issue to them than People's Park, even though climate change is so forward in the consciousness at this time. Student classes are disturbed by the strike, says the Daily Californian. It seems that the actions of the UC system indicate an overall lack of respect and understanding for nature, the community it serves and their workers. This is a deplorable way to administer a university. Michael Delacour is one of many organizers who conceived, built and fought for the People's Park in Berkeley, California. The above picture is from 1969.
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