Exhibit Opening: 1980s Anti-Imperialist Student Activism at UMass Amherst
Curated by students in the fall 2024 graduate class, History 691: Exhibit Design Practicum on Student Activism, this exhibit will explore the rich history of student activism at the University of Massachusetts, with a focus on anti-imperialist organizing during the 1980s. In that decade, the United States funded military regimes and death squads in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador to destroy revolutionary movements that threatened capitalism. Between 1960 and 1996, the U.S. and its allies were overwhelmingly responsible for the killing or forced disappearance of over 300,000 civilians. Millions more were wounded, tortured, orphaned, and displaced.
UMass students joined forces with the broader Central America solidarity movement in Massachusetts and across the country to end U.S. military aid to authoritarian regimes. Students confronted university administrators, demanding that the Central Intelligence Agency and other organizations responsible for crimes against humanity stop recruiting on campus. Students led teach-ins and marches, and occupied buildings. In response, the university arrested dozens of students. With the help of Abbie Hoffman, a famous 1960s activist, Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter, historian Howard Zinn, and whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, UMass students mounted a political necessity defense at their trial. They effectively put the CIA itself on trial—and won.
View full details on the Feinberg Series website. The exhibit will be in the UMass Bromery Center for the Arts Lobby and open for public viewing between 9AM-6PM from April 3-30, 2025.
The 2024-25 Feinberg Series
What Are Universities For? Struggles for the Soul of Higher Education
The 2024-25 Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series explores the historical roots of present-day political, economic, and ethical crises in higher education. It is presented by the UMass Amherst Department of History in partnership with numerous co-sponsors. The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible thanks to the generosity of UMass Amherst history department alumnus Kenneth R. Feinberg ’67 and associates.
Departmental (co)sponsorship of various types of events does not constitute an endorsement of the views expressed by the presenters, either at the events in question or in other venues. Rather, sponsorship is an endorsement of the exploration of complex and sometimes difficult topics. The UMass History Department is committed to promoting the free and peaceful exchange of ideas, one of the most important functions of the university.