Researched, curated and designed by students in the fall 2024 graduate class, History 691: Exhibit Design Practicum on Student Activism, this exhibit explores 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 displaced¹. 

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.   

THE LAUNCH EVENT

The exhibit opens on Thursday, April 3 at noon, with a student-run program featuring remarks by Professor Diana Sierra Becerra and a panel with the curators from 12:15-1pm. Dedicated time to reflect on the exhibit through art-making and alter-creation will follow from 1-2pm. Student- and community-oriented workshops organized by the UMass Alliance for Community Transformation will be held in the space from 4-6pm. The exhibit will remain on display through April 30 in the Bromery Center for the Arts Lobby from 9am-6pm on weekdays.

GROUP TOURS AND WORKSHOPS

The exhibit curators extend an invitation to UMass, Five College and other local educators to bring their classes to the exhibit. Student-led guided tours are available upon request. Advanced notice for group visits is requested. Please fill out this form to do so.

LEARN MORE

Visit the exhibit website to learn more about this history and view a digital copy of the exhibit, references, further readings, a glossary, a workshop guide, and more!

1. John Coatsworth, The Cold War in Central America, 1975-1991, (Cambridge University Press, 2010), 221. ↩︎