The time I gave Billy Graham a tour of Berkeley’s radical scene in 1967

It was 1967 and a friend called and said Billy Graham was going to speak at the University of California, Berkeley, and wanted somebody to show him around the street scene in Berkeley. It was in the midst of the Free Speech Movement and just before the riots of the "Third World Liberation" strike took place. The press and the "establishment" were going bananas over the anarchy and street violence.

I was working with a wild and radical student Christian movement and having a ball. My best buddy and I met Graham and took him to him to the Sproul Hall steps. It was a typical day. The Black Panthers were shaking people down for money for their breakfast program. Some bikers were there — Gypsy Jokers, as I remember — and they were hustling college girls to work in the "entertainment world." Mostly night work. Holy Hubert, of "Bless Your Dirty Heart" fame, was preaching to a motley crew of stoners, street people, dealers, flower children and high school kids skipping school. Hubert had a symbiotic relationship with a spirited group of hecklers. He preached, the hecklers heckled and the crowd grew. It worked for everybody.

Graham watched and smiled. We toured Telegraph Avenue and most of the bars, the LSD, grass and crack joints. Graham seemed very comfortable in those places and everywhere we went, people flocked to him. He was a tall (probably 6-foot-4) and imposing figure with a grace and dignity about him that was engaging. He had a way of looking people in the eye, listening intently and making them feel that they were important and that he cared. It was impressive and seemed quite genuine.

[Billy Graham, preacher to millions and adviser to presidents, dies at 99]

The Free Speech Movement of that time was very fair and always allowed everyone to speak. My pals and I had used those opportunities to have students speak about the changes that God was making in their lives. I asked Dr. Graham if he wanted to talk to the crowds. He smiled and said no, but did invite folks to come hear him speak the next day on campus. We introduced him to an amazing group of radicals, street freaks, prostitutes, actors, impromptu bands, cops and stoners. He was at ease with all of them.

It was only a few hours, but memorable. Our work eventually produced a newspaper called RIGHT ON, posters, Bible studies, housing, food, clothing, some health care and lots of action on the streets. Personally, I got gassed — both CN gas and tear gas — and saw lots of street fighting, including some police officers being very controlled and professional and some being outrageously brutal. I saw people shot near me and even got my picture on the front page of Life magazine, although you can't see me through the tear gas. There was some impact from our work. Lives were changed, books were written about it and I was changed by that time. The time was wild, the people were crazy and fascinating; it was the beginning of the Jesus Movement that continues in some form today.

The time with Billy Graham was short, but I felt then and still feel that I was with a humble man who was selflessly focused on sharing very Good News to all who would listen and that he was willing to go to the very hinges of hell to throw a rescue line to those who were perishing. Rest in peace, Billy.

Fred Dyson is a member of the Anchorage Assembly, representing Chugiak and Eagle River, and a former state senator.