Clergy and Laity Concerned Boston-area office records

Collection

Identifier: MS-2008-008

Scope and Contents

Records and resources collected in the early 1970s by the Boston-area office of Clergy and Laity Concerned (CALC), particularly in support of the Stop the B-1 Bomber National Peace Conversion Campaign. These include memos, newsletters, reports, and other printed materials produced by CALC for their members, as well as materials produced by allied organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). In addition to the Stop the B-1 Bomber National Peace Conversion Campaign, the resources cover China, Tibet, and Korea; civil rights; the environment; feminism; food; the Middle East; multinational corporations; Native Americans; non-violence; nuclear energy; self-management; Vietnam and Southeast Asia; and workers' rights.

Dates

Creation: 1964-1976
Creation: Majority of material found within 1972-1976

Creator

Clergy and Laity Concerned (U.S.) (Organization)

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Historical note: Clergy and Laity Concerned

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Clergy and Laity Concerned (CALC) was founded in 1965 by John C. Bennett, William Sloane Coffin, Jr., Rabbi Abraham Heschel, and others as a national ecumenical coalition to oppose the United States' war in Vietnam. CALC's early efforts focused on mobilizing the religious community against U.S. involvement in Vietnam and Indochina, supporting those who refused being drafted into the armed services, and influencing religious institutions to use their investments as a means of moving American corporations out of the war-making business.

After the end of the Vietnam war, CALC broadened its focus to include other issues related to reconstruction and reconciliation, amnesty, world hunger, human rights, corporate responsibility, nuclear disarmament, and peace conversion. Among other specific causes, they supported popular struggles in Latin America and struggles against colonialism and apartheid in Africa. They also partnered on projects with other peace organizations, such as the Stop the B-1 Bomber National Peace Conversion Campaign with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) from 1973 to 1977.

In line with its grassroots strategy, CALC gradually became more decentralized and democratic. The national office in New York City provided administrative and program support for CALC's network of local groups, raised funds, and represented CALC in public forums and in national coalitions. The Boston Area office closed on June 10, 1976 due to a lack of local support.

Sources:

"Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam (CALCAV)," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/clergy-and-laymen-concerned-about-vietnam-calcav.

Clergy and Laity Concerned Records (DG 120), Swarthmore College Peace Collection. https://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu//repositories/8/resources/7406. Accessed July 01, 2025.

Full Extent

3.75 Linear Feet (3 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

Arranged in three series: I. Administrative materials; II. Stop the B-1 Bomber National Peace Conversion Campaign; and III. Subject files.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Because the current accessioning system was not used until January 1986, it is not possible to know exactly the dates of acquisition of materials received before that time.

Related Materials

John E. Wall legal papers pertaining to the trial of the Boston Five, MS.2008.010, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Northern Student Movement collection, MS.2020.063, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

People Against Racism records, MS.2020.066, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Official repository for national office records: Clergy and Laity Concerned Records (DG 120), Swarthmore College Peace Collection. https://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu//repositories/8/resources/7406.