Linda Leehman Progressive Video Collection, 1993-2009 RA 7.1-7.2

Introduction

This collection contains 116 videos in several formats on progressive subjects created by Linda Leehman and Esther Farnsworth of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and broadcast on community access television in Montpelier, Vermont, as part of the program, “Down by the Riverside,” which ran during the period from 1992 to 2009. The collection was given to the Vermont Historical Society by Linda Leehman and Onion River Community Access (ORCA) Media (Montpelier community access television) in 2013. The collection is stored in two archival boxes and consumes 2 linear feet of shelf space.

Agency Note

In 1991, Linda Leehman and Esther Farnsworth of Montpelier started a weekly community access TV program called “Down by the Riverside: News, Views and Video.” They were inspired to create this program after being dismayed at the very limited (in perspective, not time!) TV coverage of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark had traveled to Iraq to cover that war, and could find no network or major cable station willing to air his controversial video footage. The local branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) took the Ramsey Clark video to the local cable access station and got it aired.

Both Leehman and Farnsworth were members of Central Vermont WILPF. After the successful airing of the Gulf War video, they decided that the Montpelier area needed to have more, and regular, coverage of events – local, national, and international – that presented a progressive political perspective. They trained with the cable access company and learned to videotape and edit programs that could be aired locally. “Down by the Riverside” ran weekly on cable access in Central Vermont from 1992 until 2009. Most of the programs were produced locally, covering local events. Some programs were produced outside of the area but fit in well with the mission, so were aired as part of “Down by the Riverside.”

Scope and Content

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This collection contains 116 video productions on VHS tapes, mini-DV tapes, and DVDs on progressive subjects created by Linda Leehman and Esther Farnsworth of the Central Vermont Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and broadcast on community access television in Montpelier, Vermont, during the period 1993 to 2009 under the title “Down by the Riverside.” Although the program, "Down by the Riverside" began in 1992, the earliest video production included in this collection is coverage of the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. The bulk of the coverage represented by this collection dates from the mid-1990s to 2009 with only three videos included from the period between 1993 and 1995.

The programs include panel discussions, individual lectures, marches and demonstrations, interviews, and documentaries. The participants were professional journalists (Ross Sneed, Sam Hemenway, David Goodman, Peter Freyen, etc.), national figures (Ralph Nadar, William Sloan Coffin, and Amy Goodman, for example), local politicians (Bernie Sanders, Anthony Polina, Deb Markowitz, etc.), poets and writers (Grace Paley, Reeve Lindburgh, Chris Bohjalian, Ellen Voigt, Galway Kinnell, etc.), and local activists (Jules Rabin, Ellen David Friedman, Lucy Nichol, etc.).

The topics range from campaign finance reform, health care, war and peace, diversity in the schools, progressivism, women’s rights, the USA Patriot Act, historic preservation, and labor rights.

Inventory

Number Title Notes Date Format RA-7:1 Public hearing: taking photos at public Montpelier City Council 2002-03-12 VHS demonstrations RA-7:2 March for peace Montpelier State House rally 2005-09-24 VHS RA-7:3 Parents who Lost Sons in Iraq Cindy Sheehan, local parent John 2005-06-09 VHS Gilineau RA-7:4 Wake Up America March and rally in Montpelier 2005-04-02 VHS RA-7:5 “Women Say No to War” A readers’ play by Lea Wood of 2004 VHS Montpelier RA-7:6 “Unequal Protection” – corporate personhood Thom Hartmann at Kellogg- 2003-04-22 VHS Hubbard Library RA-7:7 Amy Goodman and David Goodman talk on war Montpelier, Vermont College 2004-08-22 VHS

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and media RA-7:8 “O Victoria,” a one-woman show with Sarah 2nd half: Grace Paley poetry at 2002-06 VHS Payne Goddard College RA-7:9 Central Vermonters on War and Peace Ben Scotch and others VHS RA-7:10 Martin Luther King Day 2002 – activists speak Joseph Gainza, Wilmer Brandt, 2002-01 VHS up Linda Leehman, and others RA-7:11 “Weaving the World Anew: Dance/play By local activist/author Eleanor Ott 2002-06 VHS RA-7:12 Campaign Finance Reform Terry Bouricius, Bill Doyle, 2000 VHS Anthony Pollina, Karen Kitzmiller RA-7:13 “The people have spoken, what does it mean?” Barrie Dunsmore and Kellogg- 2004-12-01 VHS Hubbard Library RA-7:14 Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine WILPF Conference at Goddard 2002-06-28 VHS College panel discussion RA-7:15 Vermont Egg Farms: Rally and public forum Working Group on Sustainable 2002-05-20 VHS Farming, Montpelier RA-7:16 “Just Imagine” Young peoples’ conference at Articulate gay student; VT Youth 1999-08-12 VHS Vermont Technical College and Adults in Partnership RA-7:17 Northfield, VT, Labor Day parade 1996-09-01 VHS RA-7:18a “The Freedom to Marry: A Green Mountain Freedom to Marry Task Force VHS View” RA-7:18b Vermont State Supreme Court – Baker v. State, MCTV copy 1998-11-18 VHS oral arguments RA-7:18c Marching for Freedom! The 1993 March on Washington for 1993 VHS Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation RA-7:18d Gay Marriage Prayer Service and Rally Freedom to Marry Task Force 1998-18-11 VHS RA-7:19 “Should Vermont Yankee Be Sold?” demo/rally Part 2: Taxes for common good 2000-01-24 VHS coalition, Montpelier RA-7:20 Vermont Walk of Abolition of Nukes Howard Sterns, Jean Ankeny, 1998-08-15- VHS Joseph Gainza, et al 21

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RA-7:21 Money Talks, But Is It Speech? Finance reform Conrad Smith, Anthony Pollina, Deb 1996 VHS Markowitz RA-7:22 Ronnie Duggar, founder ed, Texas Observer Intro by Dick Hathaway 1996-10-16 VHS RA-7:23 Hunger Mtn. Coop, last 15 min. of part 1 Ned Flinn talks of new coop 1996 VHS building RA-7:24 Women witness for peace – Central Vermonters Part 2 – women’s art show honoring 1997 VHS in Latin America women’s work – Aldrich Library RA-7:25 Campaign Finance Reform – VPIRG sponsored Doug Racine, Sen. Mary Small, and VHS Marilyn Canavan of Maine RA-7:26 Rural Vermont annual meeting Anthony Pollina: Organizing for 1999-11-06 VHS Change RA-7:27 Campaign Finance report with Karen Kitzmiller, 2nd half: Women’s Legislative Day 1997-02-06 VHS Doyle, Pollina – Tammy Fletcher, Gail Zatz, Ellen Kahler RA-7:28 Sharing the Wealth: Economic Justice/Tradition Marge Power, Elke Schuman, Judith 1997-10 VHS that has no name Sargent/Mary Belenky RA-7:29 Women’s Activism and Poverty/Building Blanche Cook, Robin Lloyd/Greg 2000-10-13 VHS Independent Media Guma, Dave Lippman RA-7:30 Elaine Barnard (Harvard Econ Prof. of Labor Speaking to Vermont Labor Party 1998 VHS Economics) and Barre Labor Hall RA-7:31 Alternative Politics Ralph Nader and Anthony Pollina 2000 VHS RA-7:32 Vermont Farm Show, Rural Vermont Amy Schollenberger and Anthony 2000 VHS Pollina RA-7:33 Hiroshima Day music and stories for peace, Part 2: We’re Vermont’s Future and 2000-08-06 VHS Montpelier we support Civil Unions RA-7:34 Panel on Diversity Parents and Teachers for Social 1999-06 VHS Responsibility, Montpelier RA-7:35 Iraq: Where is US Foreign Policy Headed? Burlington City Forum. Music by 1998 VHS Rick Palieri RA-7:36 Health Care Reform: Vermont Sen. Cheryl Rivers 1995-06-15 VHS

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RA-7:37 Let’s March for Justice/pt. 2 Bernie Sanders Montpelier march/demo on MLK 1995-01-16 VHS speaks to Progressive Coalition Day RA-7:38 Women in Politics: Panel hosted by Deb Ann Cummings, Mary Skinner, 1997 VHS Markowitz Marge Power RA-7:39 Bonnie Aten about Diversity in Schools Also interview with Deb Markowitz, 1997 VHS running for Secretary of State RA-7:40 Local activists and their issues Lori Barg, Peg Prke, Fred Blakely, 1998 VHS Tanya Waters RA-7:42 Sacco & Vanzetti: Psychology of political Talk at Labor Hall by Michael Topp 2001 VHS violence RA-7:43 Women’s Visibility Day at the State House Deb Markowitz 1999 VHS RA-7:44 Interview with WILPF activists in Montpelier Lucy Nichol, Peg Parke, Val 1998-04-29 VHS Mullen, Barbara Grant RA-7:45 Montpelier Heritage Forum Margo George, Valerie Kapels, 1999-06-29 VHS Curtin Johnson, et al RA-7:46 International Women’s Day Un-fashion Marion Ward, Ellen David- 1999-10-09 VHS Show/Dewey Day Debate Friedman, Michael Sherman, John Turner RA-7:47 Public hearing: Rights, Wages of Montpelier Montpelier Workers Union hearing 2004-01-30 Mini-DV Service Sector Workers at City Hall RA-7:48a Vermont Women’s Fund Ellen Koeller, story of founder’s 2007-10 Mini-DV RA-7:48b Rutland grandmother RA-7:49 The People Have Spoken, But What Does It Barrie Dunsmore at Kellogg- 2004-12 Mini-DV Mean? Hubbard Library RA-7:50a Dave Dellinger Tribute 2004-10 Mini-DV RA-7:50b RA-7:51a Dave Dellinger and Elizabeth Peterson Interview in their Montpelier home 2002 Mini-DV RA-7:51b RA-7:52 USA Patriot Act – Ben Scotch, 2/15/2003 rally William Sloane Coffin speaking at 2003-02-15 Mini-DV Montpelier State House rally

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RA-7:53 Paul Buhle – May Day Celebration at Labor Hall 2004-05-01 Mini-DV RA-7:54 Celebration of Russ Smith, community activist Barre Opera House 2000? Mini-DV RA-7:55 Vermont Media – How is It Doing David Goodman, Peter Freyne, other 2007-05-06 Mini-DV VT editors at Craftsbury Common RA-7:56 Anti-war rally, Montpelier 2006-02-11 Mini-DV RA-7:57 Amy Goodman Book talk at Vermont College to 2004-05-22 Mini-DV benefit WGDR RA-7:58 Another World is Possible Conference at Goddard College 2004-05 Mini-DV

RA-7:60 Cindy Sheehan and other parents of soldiers Unitarian Church, Montpelier 2003-02-15 Mini-DV killed in Iraq RA-7:62 Voting by and for the people: rally against war Thom Hartman, Deb Markowitz, 2003-02-15 Mini-DV Grace Paley RA-7:63 Instant Voter Runoff At State House, a forum 2002-02-27 Mini-DV RA-7:64a Poets against the war, Vermont College Grace Paley, Ellen Voigt, Galway 2005-06-25 Mini-DV RA-7:64b Kinnell, Geof Hewitt, et al RA-7:65 Songs of Resistance – Martin Luther King Day Coco, Mark Greenberg, et al at 2003-01-18 Mini-DV Bethany Church, Montpelier RA-7:66a Civil Union Rally 2000-10-15 Mini-DV RA-7:66b RA-7:67 Gay Pride March 2000 in Burlington 2004-01-02 Mini-DV RA-7:69 Kids Rally in Montpelier against the war 2003-01 Mini-DV RA-7:70 Counter-Inaugural in Washington and Montpelier 2005-01 Mini-DV vigilers RA-7:71a Hard Travelin’ – Celebration of Woody Guthrie Mark Greenberg production 2004 Mini-DV RA-7:71b RA-7:71c RA-7:72 Poets against the war, edited part 1 2003 Mini-DV RA-7:73 Labor women play Jane Pincus, Lyn Blackwell, Lucy 2005? Mini-DV Nichol, et al

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RA-7:74 Protest March in Montpelier 2005-09-24 Mini-DV RA-7:75 Journalist panel on role of Progressives Ross Sneyd, Sam Hemenway, David 2007-05-19 Mini-DV Goodman – at State House RA-7:76 Poets against the war, edited, part 2 2003 Mini-DV RA-7:77a Ongoing peace vigil at Montpelier P.O. Jules Rabin, organizer 2006-01-20 Mini-DV RA-7:77b RA-7:78 William Greider at Labor Hall 2004? Mini-DV RA-7:79 Jeff Danziger at Labor Hall 2006? Mini-DV RA-7:80 Losts of Hope Demonstration at State House Local speakers and release of doves 2006-09-24 Mini-DV RA-7:81 Iraq Vets Against the War Burlington rally 2007-03-24 Mini-DV RA-7:82 Nuclear Free Walk and footage Montpelier Peace 2006? Mini-DV Park RA-7:83 Women in Prison Interviews with women in Vermont 2004 Mini-DV prisons RA-7:84 An Evening at the (Kellogg-Hubbard) Library Katherine Paterson 2006-02-02 DVD RA-7:85 Vermont Media and Democracy: How are we Lyn Bixby, David Goodman, Peter 2006-02-21 DVD doing? Freyne, et al. RA-7:86 For Community: Not-for-Profits in Central Gardens for Learning—cooking at 2007 DVD Vermont; Vermont Food Bank Gleaning Program Highgate, a program of Town Rivers and Food Works RA-7:87 Vermont Refugee Assistance Program Plight of refugees in Vermont and 2006 DVD crossing through RA-7:88 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 40th Peter Langrock, Phil Hoff, Sandy 2007-10-27 DVD Year Panel on Rights in Vermont Dooley, et al. RA-7:89 Evening at the (Kellogg-Hubbard) Library Reeve Lindbergh 2007-07 DVD RA-7:90 Wood Art Gallery WPA Exhibit and Janet McLeod 2007-10 DVD paintings RA-7:91 Public Assets Institute – Vermont’s New Three- Jack Hoffman, Roger Allbee, Paul 2008? DVD Legged Stool Cillo RA-7:92 VT-FEED, Grow up Fresh: Vermont Farm to VT FEED Production ? DVD

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School RA-7:93 Vermont Workers Center 9th anniversary celebration at Old 2007-04-29 DVD Labor Hall RA-7:94 Food Works Farm-to-Table Program How the program works, farmer 2009 DVD interviews RA-7:95 Evening at the (Kellogg-Hubbard) Library Chris Bohjalian 2009-12-05 DVD RA-7:96 Celebration of VT AFSC and Joseph Gainza At the Old Labor Hall 2009-11-20 DVD RA-7:97 Celebration of VT AFSC and Joseph Gainza – At the Old Labor Hall 2009-11-20 DVD edited to 1 hour RA-7:98 Shutting Down War Profiteers & Building a History of direct action in Vermont 2008-10-27 DVD Peace Economy with Joseph Gainza, Robin Lloyd, Brian Tokar, Joellen Mulvaney RA-7:99 An Evening at the (Kellogg-Hubbard) Library Tom Slayton 2008-12-06 DVD RA-7:100 Poetry Peace David Budbill, Cora Brooks, et al 2008-08- DVD 23/24 RA-7:101 Building a Vermont Peace Economy Jo Comerford 2008-04 DVD RA-7:102 AmericanCivil Liberties Union (ACLU) of VT; Allen Gilbert, Fred Lane, Matt 2008-04-17 DVD “Whose Space?” Shagan, et al. RA-7:103 Lifelong Activists: Three Vermont Women Grace Paley, Lucy Nichol, Val 2005? DVD Mullen RA-7:104 An Evening at the (Kellogg-Hubbard) Library Reeve Lindbergh, without Lola’s 2007-12-01 DVD talk (bad audio) RA-7:105 Town Meeting at Montpelier High School Bernie Sanders, Bill McKibben 2007-07-08 DVD RA-7:106 Journalist Panel: The Role of Progressive Politics Ross Sneed, Sam Hemenway, David 2007-05-19 DVD in Vermont Goodman at the State House RA-7:107 Statewide Protest Against War Montpelier 2007-01-20 DVD RA-7:108 The Vermont in Mississippi Project Vermont Historical Society 20th 2007-01-15 DVD Celebration of Martin Luther King Day RA-7:109 Public “Senate Send-off Tour” with Senator-elect Old Labor Hall, Barre 2006-12-10 DVD

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Bernie Sanders RA-7:110 Grace Paley Remembered 2007-10 DVD RA-7:111 Jeff Danziger Old Labor Hall, Barre 2006-09-12 DVD RA-7:112 In Freedom’s Shadow: Asylum Seekers in Post- Vermont Refugee Assistance 2006-08-24 DVD 9/11 America Network RA-7:113 Neither Red Nor Blue: Vermont’s Independent Chris Graff at the State House 2007-02-28 DVD Streak Farmers’ Night RA-7:114 A Momentus Turning Point: Economic Ideology William Greider at Old Labor Hall 2006-08-25 DVD RA-7:115 The Media Amy and David Goodman, Old 2006 DVD Labor Hall RA-7:116 Life and Times of a Nonviolent Warrior David Dellinger tribute in 2000? DVD Burlington RA-7:117 Goddard: Learning with Dewey 2010 DVD RA-7:118 Tree of Conscience 2000 DVD RA-7:119 Food Works Garlic Festival 2008-09-13 DVD RA-7:120 Vermont Yankee Activist Protest Montpelier Farmers Market 2008-12 DVD

Marianne Kotch and Paul Carnahan March 2014 LeehmanVideos.doc

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