Teaching the Free Speech Movement Bob Cirese

During FSM: I had been a grad student in the Economics, PhD program, 1963-64. In September 1964, I took a

leave to get involved in "the movement" [civil rights]. Then along came the FSM which was of great interest to me

at that time so I got involved. I was a rank and file member, not a leader. I spent time explaining this movement to

other Econ students in the grad school. Guess you could call me an agitator. I claim to be one of the first persons to

sit in front of the Police car. I was one of 800 students arrested in December 1964. I also go involved in organizing

the first Vietnam War Teach-in.

Later life: Thirty-five years of experience as a manager of real estate and economic consulting services advising

clients in strategic real estate investment plans. Received his Ph.D. in economics from UC Berkeley and taught

economics on the college level.

Advice: Follow your heart but use your brain. Keep well informed at whatever is your interest(s). Be an activist

when you need to be. Never give in or give up. Organize when you need to do so. Respect your foes and never

underestimate them. Always be honest and clear about your goals. (http://insightberkeley.com/tag/bob-cirese/)

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Historical Context

Blocking the Police Car: On September 14, 1964 Dean of Students Katherine Towle. . . wrote a letter to the

student political groups telling them that they could no longer use the plaza at Bancroft and Telegraph to solicit

support for "off campus political and social action." Realizing that this would deprive them of the one good spot to

reach students and raise funds, 18 student groups from across the political spectrum asked the Dean to reverse the

ruling. . . . Calling themselves the United Front the student groups defied the policy by setting up their tables as

before, and also in front of the administration building facing Sproul Plaza, where they had never been before. . . .

The next day tables were again put up in front of the Administration building. This time the campus police arrested

Jack Weinberg, who was sitting behind the CORE [Congress of Racial Equality] table, after he refused to give his

name or show his student card. . . . The police brought a car onto Sproul plaza and after he went limp, carried him

to it. Students spontaneously surrounded the car to keep it from moving and deflated the tires. . . . The car was held

hostage for 32 hours. With Jack inside, the police car became the platform for a continual rally. Art Goldberg and

his sister Jackie, both experienced student activists, were the leaders of the United Front, but from the top of the

car new people emerged who captured the loyalty of the crowd. Mario Savio, a junior who had transferred from

Queens, New York the year before, was soon recognized as the most charismatic speaker.

(http://www.jofreeman.com/sixtiesprotest/berkeley.htm)