“With democracy in peril at home and abroad–and civilization itself threatened by the prospects of environmental catastrophe and nuclear war–I welcome the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy.” — Daniel Ellsberg
America’s most famous whistleblower, Ellsberg has devoted his life to the nonviolent struggle for peace, truth, and democracy. In 1971, he risked his freedom by releasing to the press and public a 7,000-page top-secret history of the Vietnam War—the Pentagon Papers—exposing decades of government lies and deceit. Since then, Ellsberg’s principled activism shows us how dissent can be the highest expression of patriotism and citizenship.
THE ELLSBERG PAPERS AT UMASS
In 2019, Ellsberg, impressed by UMass Amherst’s longstanding commitment to social justice, made it the home for his papers. With the help of an anonymous donor, this treasure trove of some 500 boxes of material became part of the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center, the university’s legendary, vast, and world-renowned holdings chronicling activism for diversity, social equity, and positive social change.
GROW THE ELLSBERG INITITAVE
We believe it is essential to create a one-of-a-kind enterprise in the academic realm to address these questions. The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy will address a unique portfolio of concerns, focused on the existential threats to freedom and democracy posed by war, authoritarianism, imperialism, nuclear weapons, and environmental catastrophe. We invite donors to help us establish this initiative.
The Ellsberg Initiative approaches public education as a tool that can inform our imaginations, understandings, and strategies to build a more just, peaceful, and democratic society. Each year, the initiative will focus programming on an issue of vital importance that reflects Daniel Ellsberg’s major concerns and legacy. We have a five-year agenda of these topical “projects”: U.S. imperialism, whistleblowing, democracy, secrecy and surveillance, and existential threats.
Learn more about our plans here.
To make even MORE of an impact, give during our Power Hour #6 1:00-2:00 p.m. on April 27, when we have a chance to win bonus money.
| Rank | Prize | DEPARTMENT/GROUP/RSO | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Massachusetts Daily Collegian | 218 |
| 2 | $500 | CHAARG | 81 |
| 3 | $500 | Club Water Polo | 68 |
| 4 | Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | 53 | |
| 5 | Beekeeping Club | 42 |
| Rank | Prize | DEPARTMENT/GROUP/RSO | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | SBS in DC | 50 |
| 2 | $500 | Cape Cod Alumni Group Scholarship | 40 |
| 3 | $500 | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 22 |
| 4 | Film Studies | 16 | |
| 5 | Hospitality and Tourism Management Department | 10 |
| Rank | Prize | DEPARTMENT/GROUP/RSO | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 | Duly Noted | 229 |
| 2 | $500 | Women's Ultimate Frisbee | 165 |
| 3 | $500 | Men's Ultimate Frisbee | 118 |
| 4 | The Boltwood Project | 104 | |
| 5 | Formula SAE Team | 52 |
