October 17th, 1967

We take the bus to the sit-in at the Oakland Army Induction Center.

Police merely arrested people yesterday, but now there are hundreds of cops: Oakland, Alameda & State cops with National Guard in reserve.

They pace up & down in the parking lot at 15th & Clay, like Marines eager to kill. More ready in large concrete garage. They’re ready with clubs & tear gas. Big sergeant struts back & forth with cigar in his mouth.

Cops' faces as they line up at the critical intersections: firm mouths, legs spread, holding clubs across their chests, leather strap attaching clubs to wrists, tension growing as they stand for hours taking abuse.

One aspect of their faces: behind the anger, I can see that they’d just as soon be home in the rack with the old lady. Disappoints me some. I want to see pure hate in their faces.

At 7 o’clock the buses begin arriving with the inductees looking out the windows like kids just off the farm.

Sitters block the door to the Induction Center. The rest of us flood the street. The cops form a wedge 10 lines deep.

Even though an official has warned us that we’re disobeying the law, the cops give no warning. They just start charging down Clay Street, pouring out of the garage as well, swinging clubs & spraying tear gas with smirks on their faces.

People beaten & dragged through the streets. Bodies piling up. Bloody scalps & burning eyes.

Four or five pick out one kid & attack him, mostly girls attacked. One kid gets caught, tries to break away, 3 cops pounce on him, clubbing him, then leave him unconscious in gutter.

Another cop comes along & beats the kid again even though he’s still unconscious. Then an intern comes along to help the kid & another cop beats the intern. When people try to help the intern, they’re also beaten. Finally the kid goes into convulsions.

26 people hospitalized. 20 arrested.

We retreat to Provo Park in Berkeley.

» October 18th, 1967 : Rally In Berkeley!