December 3, 1964 - the Berkeley 800 were Arrested

On this day in history, almost 800 college students were arrested by three police officers for protesting. The students found support in the protesting form the Freedom of Speech Movement. The vigorous determination from these students caused an immediate halt in the Berkeley campus. Many unconstitutional regulations and rules about politics and social ideas that were made by the university were the reason why these protests and arrests were made. At the beginning, these 800 students marched into Sproul Hall destined to make an impact. Freedom of Speech Movement leader spoke in front of the court building showing utmost moral support. He stated that the students could bring the University to a "grinding halt." The students were extremely persistent in their protest.

On December 3rd, 1964, 800 students participated in a protest sit-in at the University of California at Berkeley. Eventually, the University staff got fed up with the protest, so they continued campus regulations and shut down the building normal time (7pm). So, the students protesting were stuck inside. However, the news of this protest quickly spread nationwide. Many students from other schools such as Harvard and other Massachusetts colleges negotiated with police to allow other Berkeley students to give supplies to the protesting persons. Even though these students purposely locked themselves inside the hall, a huge impact and statement was being made to Berkeley's staff and board.

As midnight came about on the night of December 3rd, 1964, police were ready to take action. Governor Brown informed California police about the protesting students at Berkeley University, and that action must be taken in order to end the brigade. Finally, Chancellor Edward Strong, the head administrative officer at Berkeley University, politely asked the protesting students to leave the building and continue on with their lives. Eventually, after the students refused to comply, the police took action and slowly began to arrest all 776 students that were inside the building. Ironically, faculty members of Berkeley University were protested the use of police on campus by sending Governor Brown a telegram expressing their opposition.

The protesting Berkeley students showed great support of the Freedom of Speech Movement. They felt that the political restrictions on campus handicapped all of their individual voices. Since the US has always been a democratic country, every US citizen has a vote in politics. This event showed and proved that American people take value in their vote, and feel that we deserve absolute freedom.

- Nate G. and Dot L.