DOC RELATES TO PROJECT MERRIMAC (MERRIMACK) - SITUATION INFORMATION REPORT

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: MHCHAOS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00018202
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2024
• Document Release Date: December 24, 2024
• Publication Date: March 28, 1972

airsidriadi
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
!)R MAR 197P/
BEST COPY
AVAILABLE
SITUATION INFORMATION REPORT
The vanguard of thousands of yOung activists who are expected
to converge upon San Diego for protest demonstrations at this summer's.
Republican ConventiOn has begun drifting into the city's already crowded
"hippie.land" along tire ocean front.
Reportedly, there is open hostility towards the new arrivals from
the citizens of San Diego, including the colnmunity of street people who --
reside there permanently. They fear the activists will not conduct
peaceful demonstrations, thereby creating problems for them. Prop-
erty owners have been organizing protest rallies and collecting peti-
tions urging the city council to overrule efforts by the city manager's
office to set up "crash pads" in public recreation areas with sleeping
accommodations and sanitary facilities for the hippie visitors. Assist-
ant City Manager John Lockwood announced that a dollar-a-night
"crash pad" would be opened this month and continue to operate through
the convention at the Santa Clara Point.Recreation Center in Mission
Bay. This center is three miles north of the San Diego Sports Arena
where the republicans will convene. The MissiOn Beach town council,
respondins to protests from local civic groups, urged the San Diego
city council to override Mr. Lockwood's decision. Other neighboring
seashore communities fear the Santa Clara Point Project might lead
to the activists setting up campsites in recreational areas all along
San Diego County's 70 miles of beaches. The San Qiego city council
has not yet taken action on the petitions signed by 800 area citizens.
� / //fi, 7Th
Lonnie Powell, housing chairman for the C mmunity Congress,
(a grourwhicih has in the past displayed greater interest in social re-
form than in politics), recently introduced the idea of the recreation
area "crash pads" to Lockwood. t "e-
The San Diego Park and Recreation Board and the Mission
Beach Precise Plan and Implementation Board, acity-sponsnrod im-
provement group, have gone on record against the hostel. Opponents
have urged that the youths be lodged at the Marine Corps Depot or the
.721. ,
Fs �
..�
� �.L. 7 .�
�
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
, 7�Iir o
� �..;.�
Mitatialliell.~(0100004
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202'
�
Naval Training Station near the Sports Arena or on Fiesta Island in
Mission Bay. The Fiesta Island (440 acres) suggestion is already being
attacked on all sides. Would-be protesters call the area a "Suicide
Swamp" where police could isolate them conveniently from the conven-
tion, as there is only a single access road. � " p
An underground newspaper, the Door, rep5rted that the San Diego
police have requested that all totel and motel manegers in the area
notify them if arty groups which are not affiliated .with the Republican.
Party book reservations. Reportedly, the police department has pro-
vided.hotel managers with information about radical groups prominent
in Chicago at the 1968 Democrati.c Convention and in some cases have
asked the managers to hold the.reservation requests until the groups'
credentials can be checked out. -);('-t; ,� 414.., �
/71
The San Diego Convention Coalition consisting of 20 groups of
activists including students, professors, antiwar and women's libera-
tion organizations, and representatives of the legal and medical profes-
sions, recently announced that "Jerry Rubin and the other leaders of
the Youth International Party will ;.C`cept the SDCC's leadership in or-
ganizing convention demonstrations that will be massive, legal, non-
violent and dignified." The Vietnam Veterans Against the War, an
organization that is becoming increasingly more radical, has promised
that San Diego will be witness to massive broa41,-based deMonstrations
against the war during the GOP Convention. � , )
7
Tile San Diego Convention Coalition, as previously reported,
held a Western Regional Conference on March 17. The 340 delegates
attending the conference were young adult caucasians in their late
teens or early twenties. Reportedly, delegates were in attendance
from California, Oregon, Washington , and at least eight other states
west of the Mississippi River as well as from the District of Columbia.
The conference was disorganized and little was accomplished other
than the announcement of two additional regional conferences prior
to the Rt!publican Convention. On March 25 the San Francisco Bay
Area Conference was held at Berkeley, California (no reports in as
yet) and an interim regional conference is scheduled for San Diego on
May 13. The delegates at Santa Barbara adopted the final draft as
f ollows:
'/Ce� .�;�
I. Partrcipants in..45DCC cannot initiate violence; however,
nonviolent civil disobedience is acceptable and it will be
/A 57: .5-tio
;JO Ul If
2
7
�
� ond, , � �����, .er �
1.4: � a e-i�-� .,��� � 404.1.s, � . � � ,�� 1 �-�
� � . . � ���
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
permissible to defend oneself from attacks by police.
Representatives of the legal workshop are preparing
for legal assistance with regard to mass arrests during
the demonstrations. They also further announced their
intention to file suit to obtain a restraining order pro-
hibiting further U.S. imperialism. This reportedly is
for the purpose of propaganda and publicity.
. .
� 2. During the demonstration no participarif will be allowed
to endorse anyone as a presidential candidate.
*3: Call for immediate ena to U.S. aggression in Vietnam
and support the seven-point peace proposal put forth at
the Paris peace talks by the�Provisional Revolutionary
Government of South Vietnam. �
4. Oppose President Nixon's policies of imperialism and re-
pression. (Reportedly, the Third World Constituency
strongly opposed using tj�p. word imperialism as they
felt members of the black community would not under-
stand the meaning.)
5. Oppose all interference in the internal affairs of other
countries.
6. No interference with leadership of grOups participating
'in SDCC alliance from other groups in the alliance.
7. Concentrate on fighting racism in white communities.
% � V,' At /I'
The United Farm Workers of California (UF.W0C) who spon-
sored a peaceful demonstration on March 19 at the Los Angeles Con-
vention Center has announced that they will send 25,000 farm workers
to the GOP Gonvention to demonstrate against the party.
yr , � A 4 ,1
As was expected a leadership challenge to demonstration organ-
izers at San Diego has now been introduced. Unconfirmed eastroast
reports reflect that a coalition to dominate convention demonstrations
has been assembled following a recent meeting at New York organ-
ized by Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis and Daniel Ellsburg. Although it
is highly doubtful, reports4reflect that these three seasoned radical
leaders have brought together the feuding fo rces of the Socialist Workers
er
A/0
3
���
-
� .
���
otc,...4 �
.. � � 1. �
44 rioji r:07, ���14,4 : � �....4p4r,yriAt � '4� �-�����tt t 2c� a. �
.....,11.7.t.r.,Ter� .� . � �.6. � � . e. �
� 9.L
� � � � � 4'. � � � � � -� les � � � .
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
- �
Approved for Release: 2024/12/1ta9.114261106611****.�
�

6
Party controlled National Peace Action Coalition, the Communist Party
USA influenced Peoples Coalition for Peace and Justice and the New
Rarty of baby doctor Benjamin Spock. Reportedly, it will be this group
that will determine the direction of anticonvention activities. Although
the unconfirmed report specifies that the San Diego Convention Coali-
tion will " go along" with the leaders,hip of Hayden, Davis, and Ellsburg,
it is not believed that 1t will do so. Organizing to date reflects a dis-
tinct westcoast homegrown flavor to plans at San Diego and it is believed
that convention Coalition leaders will not.accept outside domination ex-
cept by force. It is believed likely that the introduction of nationally
known and principally eastcoast radicals will bring a new dimension to
San Diego in August." Opened hostilities among radicals could ignite a
compliciting factional war at San Diego:, .1, .4. . 3r; -://
CALENDAR OF TENTATIVELY SCHEpULED ACTIVITIES
Asterisked items are either reported for the first time, or con-
tain additions or changes to previously reported activities.
'29-3l March, Oakland, California and vicinity
The non-militant Newton-Seale faction of the Black Panther
Party reportedly will sponsor a "Black Community Survival Conference"
in the "East Bay Area" of San Francisco during the above time period.
The conference is scheduled at the following times and locations:
21March--Oakland Auditorium (1700 hours)
30 March--Greenman Field, Oakland (1200 hours)
31 March--SanPablo Park, Berkeley (1200 hours)
The objectives of the conference are to register thousands to
vote, to distribute free bags of groceries, and to take 10, 000 free sickle
cell anemia tests. Tentative speakers will include Bobby Seale, chair-
man of the party; Sister Johnnie Tillman, national chairman of the
Welfare-Rieits Organization; Ericka Huggins, a Panther who stood trial
for murder a year. ago with Bobby Seale in the gang killing of Alex
Rackley at New Haven (hung jury); Ron Dellums; Julian Bond and others.
Bobby Seale .has alerted the press that 10, 000 free bags of groceries
with a chicken in every bag will be given away during the three -day
conference. , )
vl � .t r
�
���
*30March--2 April, Cambridge, Mass.
As previously reported the Students for a Democratic Society
/7, 7-- -;,�, I.
hor:
r-.
goom
� � . a , .
� �
� :-�
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
has scheduled a "National Convention Against Racism" at Harvard
University-on the above dates. Dean Archie Epps announced the Univer-
sity has granted SDS permission to use the college facilities for the
convention; however, the permit does not cover the full amount of time.
The group asked to begin the convention Thursday March 30, but Dean
Epps informed them he could not grant them the time Thursday or Fri-
day because classes would be in session. The Har"Vard Crimson under-
graduate newspaper quoted an SDS spokesman as saying the group would
. .
start on Thursday anyway.
- Members of SDS are planning to hold workshops to condemn the
racism.of certain university prokssors who have suggested that I.Q.
differences between races may be a result of hereditary factors as well,
as environmental. The choice of Harvird University as the convention
site is no coincidence. Professor Richard Herrnstein a member of the
psychology faculty at Harvard became a marked man to the radicals when
he published his views on racial differences in the September 1971 issue
of Atlantic Monthly Magazine. Other noted professors who have been
tagged as racist are Arthur Jensen of the University of California and
William Shockley of Stanford University. During much of the past
decade SDS was considered to be the most powerful revolutionary group
in the country. However, members attending the 1969 National Con-
vention in Chicago became disallusioned by the failure to achieve their
objectives and consequently, resulted in splintering the organization
into factions. Since then the remains of SDS have been controlled by
the Progressive Labor Party. SDS chieftains now expect to ride the
racism is&ue back to power in the revolutionary movement. The PLP/
SDS has announced that the convention will be open but reportedly offi-
cial representatives of the Young Socialist Alliance and other Trotskyite
organizations will be banned. The Communist Party USA also expects
to gain from a revival of SDS because they consider the group a major
recruiting territory for party ranks. The SDS leadership has announced
that representatives from Canada, Puerto Rico, Finland, Japan, Ger-
many and Mexico are expected to attend the convention. A non-SDS
group orLatin American students from Brandeis University called
GRITA is also expected to attend. ,
lir ,
� � ,
April--20 May, Nationwide 7 ,i(,/
The Peoples Coalition for Peace and Justice which is under
the influence of the Communist Party USA, reportedly will not actively
snpport demonstrations swnsorecl by the National Peace Action Coali-
tion on April 22. The PCPJ has recently announced a calendar of
events for March and April:
. /�.
6 5. e
tititaaow'.1444-
a
F����--.
4'1
#111tleret,,;:#0:: ��� � ...Mal,- .1111;:� ;�����:14.. � gr. 'et ���IroWir.��������.' ��� _ � or ...MR,. .4.����Jt ���.!. � ������.� ..L.1%70,...< r: � � ":."1 ,�� svIr t .
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
�. � z � ...e.*���",.;7�;,.
�
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
tion.
15 April�The War Registers League, War�Tax Resistance
and pcPJ will sponsor local dernanstrations across the
country protesting the use of tax money for continuation of
� the war while pressing domestic needs are neglected.
.10 May�Derrronstrations.are planned at the headquarters of
the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New
York City.
20 May--Demonstrations at undisclosed army bases and
federal buildings.
1 April--Two concurrent mass antiwar demonstrations are
planned for Harrisburg, Pa. and San Jose, California, the
sites of the trials of Philip Berrigan and six other antiwar
defendants and Angela Davis. The Vietnam Peace Parade
Committee, PCPJ's New York City affiliate, reportedly
has already reserved 100 buses for the Harrisburg demonstra-
%
.7 ,A *, , .,,e�
7-9 April, Palo Alto, California
Governor Reagan is scheduled to speak to approximately 400
delegates attending the California RVpublican Assembly Conference on
the above date. There are indications that vice president Agnew may
attend the conference. Although no information has emerged pursu-
ant to planned demonstrations, bay area radicals will not miss the
opportunity afforded by this conference to conduct at least a minor
protest. .�/. � ;.
*12 April, New York City, New York
The New York Chapter of Women Strike for Peace, a pacifist
group actively opposed to the war, plan to hold a demonstration at
the offices of the International Telephone and Telegraph Company on
12 April. The demonstration will consist of a "lie-in" to protest the
company's support of U.S. bombing in Southeast Asia.
� ',$ A . , t� / 7. '-fa,
*13 April, Ottawa, 'Canada
The Vietnam Moratorium Committee of Canada, an international
antiwar group, has scheduled an antiwar demonstration for Ottawa on
13 April during President Nixon's visit there. Edward Martin Sloan,
president of the VMC Canadian group, states that the demonstration
was decided upon in March at Versailles, France, where committee
representatives from 84 countries met.
.
< -14' � �,"
'6
-
( �
7 .7 �
. �
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
�41,
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
',PP reillmo�mmillIN�
4:7-8 April; Crane, Indiana
. Recently the Student Mobilization Committee to End the War
in Southeast Asia sponiored a state antiwar conference to formalize
a program of antiwar demonstrations to be held in Indiana this spring.
The demonstration originally planned for April 15 at the Crane, Indiana
Naval Ammunition Depot has now been changed to April 7-8. The depot
was chosen because one-third to one-half of all ammunition used in
Indochina is produced there, according 6to-the Student Mobe'll'i q"b.
!.�. //- � . 4�-� /.1 � ij J�t.'L
The Student Mobilization Committee, controlled by the
Trotskite Socialist Workers Palbty and its youth group, the Young
Socialist Alliance, also recently sponsored a National Student Antiwar
Conference in New York City. Colleg&ind high school students
attending the conference agreed to suPport.the following activities:
19 April--Organize nationwide high school "speakouts"
across the nation to build for a mass demonstration on
22 April.
22 April--Support the dernongftations sponsored by the
National Peace Action Coalition at New York and Los
Angeles.
/.�� � .�,--.
The above activities also have been endorsed by the National
Welfare Rights Organization, the Defense Committee for Angela Davis
and the Berrigans, and other national left-wing organizations.
P ,
.)7 /�.,' ,1-L
*22 April, New York City and Los Angeles
The National Peace Action Coalition (Trotskyite group) has
announced plans for their spring offensive to be helq in New York
City on the above date to coincide with a similar demonstration in
Los Angeles. �
The denblonstrations will be held on April 22, traditionally
"Earth Day," so t1.6.t people'can protest "the destruction of the earth
in Indochina" as well as to dramatize the fact that U.S. planes have
dropped a total of six pounds of chemicals and herbicides for every
living man, woman and child in South Vietnam.
A spokesmIn for NPAC recently announced international protests
are to be held in -France, Lebanon, Sweden, Switzerland and Holland on
April 22 to call-attention to "the automation of the Vietnam War. "
- � '��
�
. No. ../e1MIR '
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
The speakers at the international rallies will describe sensors
planted throughout the South Vietnamese countryside that are so
sensitive that they can detect animal heat from many miles away
and can automatically instruct destructive bombs to -strike the area
where the animal has been discovered. cr.j/ .- 7- t/ rr
*29 April, Washington, D. C. . .
The Progressive Labor Party, a militant Communist-splinter
�group openly following the Maoist line, reportedly will hold a demon-
stration in Washingtor, D. C. on 29 April to celebrate "May Day."
'Although 'no estimate of number; of participants has yet been made,
it should be noted that the last time the:Progressive Labor Party
sponsored a demonstration in Washington the protest was considerably
larger than predicted. - r . ,7
29-30 April, Washington, D.C.
The National Spanish-speaking Coalition Task Force, Inc. has
scheduled a national convention on the above dates. Reportedly, the
main issue at the convention will be the formation of a separate
Spanish-speaking political party.
SOURCE: Government and News Media
RELIABILITY: Probably True
1.
r",�*�.
er,r
Approved for Release: 2024/12/19 C00018202
# 1. �
'1. --�t Itrt' �