This series contains records related to the different associations and political movements that Adams was involved in after he moved to Vancouver in the late 1960s. The series is largely focused on two organizations/movements: the Vancouver American Exiles Association (VAEA) and the Galindo Madrid movement.
In the mid 1960s, as the war in Vietnam ramped up, those wishing to avoid being drafted into the American military began to leave the United States and settled into new countries, including Canada. In 1968, deferments for those attending university or college were dropped, and as a result, a larger amount of war resisters moved to Canada to avoid being enlisted in the army. Those who resisted the war were threatened with arrest if they ever returned to the United States.
VAEA was an organization, in which Adams played a central role in, that fought for amnesty for American war resisters living in Canada. VAEA also provided support and resources for Americans who had come to Vancouver to escape the draft. The records pertaining to VAEA include correspondence written by or to VAEA members; meeting minutes; interviews that Adams or other VAEA members gave about the organization and about amnesty for war evaders; research material; and journal and news clippings related to Anti-Vietnam protest and amnesty movements both in Canada and the United.
The other major movement Adams was involved in was the Galindo Madrid case. In 1976, Galindo Madrid came to Vancouver from Chile, claiming refugee status from the Chilean Government. Madrid lost his case with the Government of Canada and was sentenced to be deported back to Chile. However, the Vancouver Chile Association, a small but vocal group, protested this deportation and aimed to save Madrid from being sent out of Canada. Vancouver NDP MP Svend Robinson even sheltered Madrid in his own home while a defense team was formed to help keep Madrid in Canada. Records pertaining to this case include news clippings and research related to the political situation in Chile; correspondence; financial records documenting the Galindo Madrid defense movement; leaflets and bulletins; and news and journal clippings related to the case in Vancouver. Madrid was eventually allowed to stay in Canada.
Other records include other activities and movements that Adams was either a part of or took an interest in, mainly in the Vancouver region, but also around Canada and the United States. These records include conference materials and proceedings; bulletins and newsletters; correspondence; and other research material either created by or collected by Adams.