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Welcome to the Freedom Archives' Digital Search Engine.The Freedom Archives contains over 12,000 hours of audio and video recordings which date from the late-1960s to the mid-90s and chronicle the progressive history of the Bay Area, the United States, and international movements. We are also in the process of scanning and uploading thousands of historical documents which enrich our media holdings. Our collection includes weekly news, poetry, music programs; in-depth interviews and reports on social and cultural issues; numerous voices from behind prison walls; diverse activists; and pamphlets, journals and other materials from many radical organizations and movements.

San Quentin Six

The San Quentin Six were a group of six prisoners at San Quentin Prison in California (Hugo Pinell, Willie Tate, Johnny Larry Spain, David Johnson, Fleeta Drumgo and Luis Talamantez) who were accused of participating in an August 21, 1971 escape attempt that left six people dead, including George Jackson. The subsequent 16-month trial was the longest in the state's history at the time. Of the six defendants, one was convicted of murder, two were convicted of assault on prison guards, and three were acquitted of all charges. Hugo Pinell remains in prison.

Documents

More holes in state case More holes in state case
Author: Karen WaldPublisher: The GuardianDate: 5/12/1976Volume Number: 12-MayFormat: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
Documents the development of the case against the San Quentin Six and the emerging discrepancies in the prosecution's case.
S.Q. Defendants Sentenced S.Q. Defendants Sentenced
Author: Karen WaldPublisher: The GuardianDate: 10/13/1976Format: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
Reports the sentencing of the San Quentin Six and the court's refusal for a new trial based on the shackling of the defendants. Arguments of mistrial were ignored in all cases except David Johnson's who was sentenced to probation.
Quentin Defense Demands Mistrial Quentin Defense Demands Mistrial
Author: Karen WaldPublisher: The GuardianDate: 6/25/1976Format: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
Defense attorneys called for a mistrial after San Quentin prison officials leaked a story to the press claiming that there was an attempted escape from the Adjustment Center at the San Quentin Prison. It was reported that one of the prisoners who attempted to escape was "involved in a "current Bay Area murder case'". After the media reported that one of the San Quentin Six was involved, members of the defense team and other supporters pointed out the fallacies in the report and claimed that this was a tactic to prejudice the minds' of the jurors before the final arguments of the case began.
Quentin Defense Rests Quentin Defense Rests
Author: Karen WaldPublisher: The GuardianDate: 6/16/1976Format: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
Public defender Frank Cox decided to not call any witnesses in defense of his client David Johnson. This decision comes after successful cross-examinations of witnesses who testified against Johnson. Johnson, being the last of the San Quentin Six to be tried, would have had similar defense witnesses as the previous men already tried. Cox also presented a strong political case oh behalf of the San Quentin Six that exposed the state conspiracy to assassinate George Jackson.
San Quentin Six and Inez Garcia San Quentin Six and Inez Garcia
Date: 11/1976Volume Number: NovemberFormat: GraphicCollection: San Quentin Six
Bato Talamantez, David Johnson, Inez Garcia and Sundiata Tate at a rally in San Francisco.
Willie Tate Shot in San Francisco Willie Tate Shot in San Francisco
Authors: Henry Reeve and Sandy WallacePublisher: The GuardianDate: 5/11/1977Format: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
This article documents the shooting of Willie Tate by Earl Satcher. It provides background on both Tate and Satcher and details the wide support garnered for Tate after the shooting. Tate's co-workers Diane Dally, Gail Mahoney, and Nate Harrington were charged with first degree murder after Satcher was found dead following the shoot-out.
Pinell shows 'concealment' of evidence Pinell shows 'concealment' of evidence
Author: Morris WrightPublisher: The GuardianDate: 3/17/1976Volume Number: 17-MarFormat: ArticleCollection: San Quentin Six
Discusses the concealment of evidence by prison authorities during the San Quentin Six trials. Introduces testimony of Stanford University professor Phillip Zimbardo concerning the behavior of prisoners and guards.
Who Are the San Quentin 6? Who Are the San Quentin 6?
Publisher: Prisoner Solidary CommitteeFormat: FlyerCollection: San Quentin Six
This flyer provides background on the San Quentin Six and their living conditions within the San Quentin Prison. They were convicted on another frame-up following George Jackson's death and denied their requested counsel. The flyer calls for solidarity with the San Quentin 6.
The San Quentin Six The San Quentin Six
Publisher: San Quentin Six Legal Defense FundFormat: MonographCollection: San Quentin Six
"The San Quentin Six" discusses the murder of George Jackson and the background of the charges against the San Quentin Six. It exposes the unjust detainment of these prisoners within the Adjustment Center and the perversion of their Constitutional guarantee of counsel.
The Web of Death & Struggle: The Genesis of California's Political Trials The Web of Death & Struggle: The Genesis of California's Political Trials
Authors: Karen Wald, Lucia AndradePublisher: Alternative Features ServiceDate: 4/28/1972Format: CompilationCollection: San Quentin Six
This chronological timeline depicts prison struggles from the January 13th killing of three unarmed Black prisoners by guard O.J. Miller up to the assassination of George Jackson and the ensuing accusation of the San Quentin Six. The last page is an illustration reproduction of the timeline culminating in the August 21st assassination of George Jackson and the accusation of the San Quentin Six.