People’s Park has been the site of continual struggle for decades. Students and demonstrators took over the park from UC Berkeley in 1969 as a staging ground for activism and protests. That year, then governor Ronald Reagan tried to evict protestors through use of overwhelming force, despite promises by university officials that there would not be attempts to clear the park. In the ensuing confrontations a student, James Rector, lost his life during the struggle. In the following decades, the university has tried again on numerous occasions to develop the park, but People’s Park continues to be a rallying point for protests and community activists.

In honor of the People’s resistance, two weeks of events with music, tree planting, spoken word, and activist speakers will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of People's Park. A free concert kicks off the celebration on April 13 and events run through April 28. On May 1, a "Hold the Land" demonstration kicks off.

Events at People’s Park:
4/13: Kick off Concert Celebration of 50th Anniversary, 12pm
04/14: Gardening at People’s Park, 12pm
04/20: Occupy Discussion & History of People’s Pot, 12pm
04/21: Vehicle Dweller Block Party & Julia Vinograd Memorial Poetry Reading, 12pm
04/28: Closing Concert of 50th Anniversary, 12pm

More Workshops and Teach-Ins at UC Berkeley Campus:
04/16: Women in the Movement - Dwinelle Hall, Room 228, 7pm
04/17: Arts in the Movement forum - Dwinelle Hall, Room 246, 7pm
04/18: Politics and Song - Barrows Hall, Room 54, 7pm
04/19: Building the Movement - Dwinelle Hall, Room 130, 7pm
04/23: Public Speaking Workshop - Barrows Hall, Room 50, 7pm

Two-Week Event Announcement | Unveiling of New Freebox Dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of People’s Park (April 28) | People's Park Defense Hold The Land (May 1-15)

Related Feature: Berkeley's Historic People's Park Facing Attacks from Police and Tree Cutters