​Fiat Lux                           Let there be light.

As one of the top public universities in the world, UC Berkeley has made social impact both inside of the campus and outside into the world. 

In the fall of 1964, the Berkeley campus of the University of California was rocked by the Free Speech Movement. Graduate student Mario Savio protested against the University's ban of on-campus political activities and acknowledge the students' right to free speech and academic freedom. 

​In September 1964, more than 10,000 students surrounding a police car in the middle of Sproul Plaza; 800 people occupying the central administration building—Berkeley drew national attention. Immediately, National Troops arrived to Berkeley and arrested more than 800 students. 

At the time, this was the largest mass arrest in California history.

By 1965,  chancellor Martin Meyerson established provisional rules for political activity on the Berkeley campus. He designated the Sproul Hall steps an open discussion area during certain hours of the day and permitted information tables.

Student demonstrations in Student Union 1964

Mario Savio speaking on top of police car 1964

The Free Speech Movement influenced  larger political issues and social movements that preceded the movement, such as the Civil Rights Movement and those which came after, such as the anti-Vietnam War activism.

People were really caught by how important this was and trying to sort out the adult world response to it. You knew that this was a big deal.”
- Undergrad Freshmen in 1964
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 I saw nonviolence as the ultimate expression of heroism. That squad car became my Greensboro lunch counter and the FSM became my civil rights campaign.”
Gar Smith, student 1965

National Activism

The Free Speech Movement was the first mass act of civil disobedience on American college campus in the 1960s. 

Students across the country began to see the dramatic changes happening in the socio-political world of higher education and were inspired to also voice the unfair universities laws against student activism. 

Today, the spirit of Berkeley's 1964 civil disobedience still inspires today's social issues in our campus. Student groups of political, religious and social causes set up tables at Sproul Plaza during demonstrations. The Sproul steps, now officially known as the "Mario Savio Steps", may be reserved for a speech or rally.

Students engaging in civil disobedience 1965

Students engaging in academic freedom 1964

Student demonstrations on Sproul Hall 1964

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                                UC Berkeley 2021

Students protesting on Sproul Hall 2019

Students protesting Ann Cutler event outside of Wheeler Hall 2019

Personally, I've expressed free speech through tabling for my various student organizations."
- 4th year

Get Involved!

Want to empower a cause and form cross-cultural dialogue with others. Explore these organizations on campus that provides a space to engage in social activism:

• Raices Recruitment and Retention Center (Raices)
  
• ​Mixed @ Berkeley Recruitment and Retention Center (MRRC)
• Black Recruitment and Retention Center (BRRC)
• ​Asian and Pacific Islander Recruitment and Retention Center (REACH!)
  
• Indigenous and Native Coalition Recruitment and Retention Center (INC-RRC) 
  
• PilipinX Academic Student Services (PASS)
  
• Middle Eastern and North African Recruitment and Retention Center (MENA RRC)

Today, student activism in Berkeley is still prominent and has taken form through social media and online activism. Students are still engaging in vocalizing social, cultural, political, and educational issues existing on campus. Despite the past months of virtual education, UC Berkeley students are still engaging in social activism by supporting groups, allies, and causes through social media such as Instagram. 

To learn more about the Free Speech Movement, visit fsm.berkeley.edu.