April 1969. Tired of waiting for yet more delays, assessments and permissions hundreds of students and local residents turned up to occupy and work on the land.

Weeks of non-stop clearing, digging and planting

The park was alive with rebellion, energy and hope.

A much needed park and open space for the people was emerging

While the University had taken a relatively soft line, Ronald Reagan (then the governor of California) stepped in. On his election in 1966, he had promised to clamp down on student protests and anti-war demonstrators. He called the Berkeley campus "a haven for communist sympathizers, protesters and sex deviants."

May 16 1969: Reagan considered the creation of the park a direct leftist challenge to the property rights of the university, and took it as an opportunity to full fill his campaign promise. At 4AM on what became known as "Bloody Thursday", 250 Highway patrol and Berkeley police officers took over the park.

An eight block area around the site was cleared. Around the perimeter an 8-foot (2.4 m)-tall perimeter chain-link wire fence was installed to keep people out and to prevent the planting of more trees, grass, flowers, or shrubs.

The community gathered

anger grew

The entire town was occupied

dancing at bayonet point

insurrection

a gathering of students at UC Berkeley campus

discussion

bayonets

American Savings

a civilian not yet removed

waiting to cross

National Guard helicopters dispensing airborne tear gas that winds dispersed over the entire city

All small gatherings of people were broken up by both pepper gas and tear gas.

containment

Downtown Berkeley was cleared and people herded away.

no where safe

on guard

bored

Street clearance

both birdshot.and buckshot were fired indiscriminately at retreating protesters as well as those on rooftops. Near here James Rector (a bystander) was killed.

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During the 2 weeks 482 people were arrested.

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A surreal moment when The National guard moved out of Berkeley.

The troops had left. A mural began.