North Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Birthplace of the Asian American Movement

Berkeley History

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020

1. Birthplace of the Asian American Movement Marker

Inscription. By the late 1960s, a new generation of political activists emerged in Berkeley from protests opposing the Vietnam War and supporting the Farmworkers, Free Speech, and Civil Rights movements. In May 1968, in an apartment on this site, Yuji Ichioka and others founded the Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA). AAPA sparked the nationwide Asian American Movement: uniting Americans previously divided by ethnicity– Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and others-and stereotyped as "Orientals” or "silent minorities."

AAPA joined African American, Latino, and Native American groups in the Third World Liberation Front, which led the 1969 Third World Strike at UC Berkeley. The strikes here and elsewhere spurred the creation of ethnic studies and social justice programs and encouraged community self-determination.

This plaque was placed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of AAPA and the Asian American Movement

Erected 2018 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Asian Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1968.

Location. 37° 52.425′ N, 122° 16.24′ W.

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Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in North Berkeley. It is at the intersection of Hearst Avenue and Milvia Street on Hearst Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2005 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley CA 94709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Whittier School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heywood Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of David Park’s Studio (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shattuck Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roos Bros. Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Golden Sheaf Bakery Annex (approx. 0.2 miles away); S.H. Kress Co. Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ohlone Dog Park (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Birthplace of the Asian American Movement Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020

2. Birthplace of the Asian American Movement Marker - wide view

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Also see . . . Asian American movement (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 7, 2020.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.