Amplifying Sanctuary Voices (ASV) is a community-based oral history project centering the stories of Bay Area residents who have come to the U.S. seeking sanctuary.
ASV stimulates dialogue and creates space in the mainstream political conversation for the diverse voices and experiences of those impacted by policy decisions.
America’s first sanctuary city: Berkeley’s history of refuge and resistance
Listen to this episode from East Bay Yesterday to learn about the history of the sanctuary movement and EBSC’s ongoing efforts to uphold Berkeley’s legacy as a sanctuary city.
Do you have a story to tell? Would you like to host an event?
Contact us at sanctuaryvoices@eastbaysanctuary.org
Table of Contents
- Events
- Stories
- Oral Histories
- Timeline of the Sanctuary Movement: 1951-1992
- Now You Hear Us Podcast
- Press
- Partner Organizations
- Funders
Events
- February 2020: A Journey to Sanctuary — Pilot event for educators and community activists
- March – May 2020: Sanctuary Timeline and Oral History exhibit in the UC Berkeley ASUC Student Union: MLK Jr. Building
- January 25 – May 25, 2023: Sanctuary Timeline & Climate Migration exhibit at the Rosenberg Library at City College of San Francisco (Ocean Campus)
Stories
We come into contact with 10,000 refugees and undocumented immigrants every year. Their stories are compelling, demonstrating their courage and resilience as they rebuild their lives.
Oral Histories
Click below for audio clips where our narrators bravely tell their stories, from leaving home to building a new one here in the Bay Area. These are the voices often excluded from our mainstream dialogue.
Timeline of the Sanctuary Movement: 1951-1992
ASV has developed this Timeline to highlight the courage of refugees and activists who have fought tirelessly to protect human rights. Teachers may download the PDF for use in their classrooms. Stay tuned for Part II of the Timeline: 1992 – present. The exhibit is available for display in libraries, museums, and other public spaces.














































Now You Hear Us Podcast
ASV in partnership with Youth Unmuted has created Now You Hear Us, a podcast aimed at elevating the voices of youth who have experienced displacement, delving into topics such as art, friendship, identity, migration, and much more. It is created by and with youth who have experienced displacement.
Press
Partner Organizations
ASV is a coalition of community organizations including: East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, the Public Service Center at UC Berkeley, Inside the Living Room, Voice of Witness, Youth UnMuted, and 1951 Coffee.
Funders
ASV was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund, and individual donors and volunteers.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of California Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities or other funders.