Interview With Bob Feldman
A leaflet prepared by the SDS strike committee
(NYU Bobst Library)
NEW YORK — In March 1967 a Columbia University SDS activist named Bob Feldman discovered documents revealing Columbia’s formal relationship with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a Department of Defense think tank. This discovery, along with the University’s encroachment into Harlem - the attempt to build a gymnasium on public park land - triggered a series of protests that culminated in the 1968 Columbia Strike. The strike, violently put down by the NYPD, was ultimately successful in attaining two of its goals: Columbia’s disaffiliation from the IDA and the scrapping of the plan to build a gym in Morningside Park. The victory prompted Tom Hayden to urge, “Two, three, many Columbias” in a 1968 Ramparts article.
On April 23, 1968, Columbia University SDS rallied to protest the university’s relation to the Institute for Defense Analysis, the school’s encroachment into Harlem and Columbia’s placing the “IDA Six” - SDS members who had peacefully protested in the Low Library on March 27 - on probation. The rally eventually escalated into the takeover of Hamilton Hall by SDS and the Student Afro Society. Shortly afterwards SDS vacated Hamilton Hall - at the request of SAS - and took over Low Library. On the morning of April 30, 1968, the NYPD violently cleared the library, injuring 150 students and arresting over 700 protesters. In an ironic twist, Police Officer John Brower - husband of current MDS activist Elaine Brower - stood on the opposite side of the barricade from SDS in 1968.
Mark Rudd with Elaine Brower in 2007
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
After Columbia, Feldman went on to co-found the Richmond College chapter of SDS on Staten Island - in October 1968. Since that time he has continued to agitate - and educate - for peace and progress. A believer in intergenerational organizing, he is supportive of the new Students for a Democratic Society - and the new Movement for a Democratic Society as well. Feldman maintains a blog that chronicles the Columbia University strike and has autobiographical sections that provide a glimpse into the Sixties from the perspective of someone who experienced the turmoil and remains a committed radical.
Recently Feldman became involved with the Columbia University 40th Anniversary organizing committee. In his efforts to publicize the commemorative event - being held at Columbia’s School of Journalism - he works with other SDS veterans including Mark Rudd. Initially, Columbia University offered support, including financial, to the organizers. When the program didn’t evolve the way Columbia envisioned much of the support was withdrawn. However, Columbia president Lee Bollinger will speak at the Welcoming Ceremony on Thursday, April 24. Feldman and other organizers are not sure what he will say.
Mark Rudd told NLN, “There was a problem a few months ago, when it appeared that the Columbia administration didn’t want to work with our organizing committee anymore. So they pulled out and are holding some sort of official academic event the following week, when students are busy with exams. However, lately President Lee Bollinger has agreed to give a welcoming to our opening session. We’re all holding our breaths to see whether he’s going to Ahmadinejad us.”
Original post by Thomas Good and reposted by Radical Blogs
