Joan Greenbaum, Julie Millstein, and Paul Millstein Collection on Computer People for Peace
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Abstract
Computer People for Peace (CPP) was formed in 1968 and was active through 1974. It organized technology workers in the anti-war movement. In the course of their activities, the CPP posted bail for Sundiata Acoli (one of the Panther 21), and addressed Congress in 1972 about the right to privacy, the dangers of misused technology, and the potential harms misused computer technology can cause to society. The group authored an Electronic Bill of Rights, and published a newsletter called Interrupt. CPP was also amongst the groups in 1971 who formed a lawsuit against the NYPD's surveillance of private citizens.Joan Greenbaum is a Professor Emerita at the CUNY Graduate Center, an author, activist, computer programmer and technologist, and political economist. She is a member of the executive board of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), a cooperative member of Three Arrows, and was a research fellow at NYU's AI Now. In the 1960s and 1970s, Greenbaum was founder of and activist with Computer People for Peace. Julie Millstein served as the CPP Corresponding Secretary and Paul Millstein served in leadership capacities for the organization. The Joan Greenbaum, Julie Millstein, and Paul Millstein Collection on Computer People for Peace (dated 1968-1978) consists of materials documenting the philosophies and activities of Computer People for Peace (CPP). Materials include correspondence, photographs, ephemera, a complete set of the group's newsletter Interrupt, and issues of Datamation that feature CPP. The collection documents CPP's organizing efforts against American involvement in the Vietnam War, as well as broader campaigns about intersections of technology, privacy, surveillance, corporate racism, and unemployment as a result of automation. The collection also documents mid- and late-20th century efforts to create a responsible and equitable technology industry.
Historical Note
Computer People for Peace (CPP) was formed in 1968 and was active through 1974. It organized technology workers in the anti-war movement. In the course of their activities, the CPP posted bail for Sundiata Acoli (one of the Panther 21), and addressed Congress in 1972 about the right to privacy, the dangers of misused technology, and the potential harms misused computer technology can cause to society. The group authored an Electronic Bill of Rights, and published a newsletter called Interrupt. CPP was also amongst the groups in 1971 who formed a lawsuit against the NYPD's surveillance of private citizens.
Joan Greenbaum is a Professor Emerita at the CUNY Graduate Center, an author, activist, computer programmer and technologist, and political economist. She is a member of the executive board of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), a cooperative member of Three Arrows, and was a research fellow at NYU's AI Now. In the 1960s and 1970s, Greenbaum was founder of and activist with Computer People for Peace.
Julie Millstein served as the CPP Corresponding Secretary and Paul Millstein served in leadership capacities for the organization.
Arrangement
Materials are in alphabetic order.
Scope and Contents
The Joan Greenbaum, Julie Millstein, and Paul Millstein Collection on Computer People for Peace (dated 1968-1978) consists of materials documenting the philosophies and activities of Computer People for Peace (CPP). Materials include correspondence, photographs, ephemera, a complete set of the group's newsletter Interrupt, and issues of Datamation that feature CPP. The collection documents CPP's organizing efforts against American involvement in the Vietnam War, as well as broader campaigns about intersections of technology, privacy, surveillance, corporate racism, and unemployment as a result of automation. The collection also documents mid- and late-20th century efforts to create a responsible and equitable technology industry.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Guide to the Joan Greenbaum, Julie Millstein, and Paul Millstein Collection on Computer People for Peace; TAM 828; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Joan Greenbaum and Julie and Paul Millstein in August 2023; the accession number associated with this gift is 2023.103.
Custodial History
This collection is jointly created and donated by Joan Greenbaum and Julie and Paul Millstein. Materials collected and donated by Joan Greenbaum include several issues of Interrupt, fliers, and documentation of CPP's support for the Panther 21. Materials collection and donated by Julie and Paul Millstein include a bound volume of the complete set of Interrupt, issues of Datamation that feature CPP, correspondence and photographs.
About this Guide
Processing Information
At the time of accessioning, materials were rehoused in archival folders and boxes, described on the collection-level, and inventoried at the folder-level.
