In the late 1960’s and most of the early 1970’s, Berkeley University was the scene of some of the most violent student protests against the Vietnam War, and its University administration. The Berkeley Free Speech Movement was about protesting the war, and had many arrests. In fact, it had the largest number of arrests of student in the United States history, up to that time.

Mario Savio founded the Berkeley Free Speech movement during the 1960’s. The Free Speech Movement (FSM) of Berkeley was formed to defend the rights of free speech and political activity. Through negotiations, petitions, sit-ins, and a strike, the students finally established the principle that the University may not regulate content of speech. At the same time, the FSM had given students a new and well-deserved sense of dignity and self-respect.

Seven hundred police wielding clubs and spraying mace were at the University during a protest, trying to break up the riot. They knocked dissenters underfoot, beating many of them unconscious in a ten-minute rampage.

Ralph Mayher, an ABC-TV cameraman, got knocked down and clubbed by police. His protection helmet was thrown off, and he said, "They-re trying to kill me." Also, Jerry Jenson, a TV newscaster, was knocked down and sprayed in his eyes with mace. Paul Gorman, a UPI photographer, was knocked down to the sidewalk by cops waving nightsticks. He later reported that they hit him several times, and kicked him. He kept hollering that he was with the press, but they didn’t believe him. Doug Eaton, a tribune reporter, was hit across the face with a nightstick that shattered his glasses. Dick Spencer, Ernest Bennett, and Robert Klien, reporters and cameramen were also beaten.

Don Brice, president of the news director Association, accuses the police of being the real mob. "These attacks were not only unprovoked, but it appeared to reporters that some police were deliberately selecting news people as targets." In the response to Don Brice, Governor Ronald Regan said, "The work of the Oakland Police Department was in the finest tradition of California’s law enforcement agencies. The officers displayed exceptional ability and great professional skill. The taking of alleged grievances to the streets cannot and will not be tolerated."

Police violence sent twenty-four demonstrators and newsmen to the hospital. Only one person needed medical treatment.

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