This is something I had planned to write about for a couple of weeks now. Those that know me best know that I'm kind of dorky at heart. I love history and reading about weird and obscure things that rarely hold any relevance today. This is not one of them. So when I happened to stumble across the date of the 1970 shootings at Kent State University a few weeks back, I knew I had to blog when the anniversary came.
On May 4, 1970...thirty-nine years ago today, the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of student protesters at Kent State University, killing four students and injuring nine other mostly bystanders (paralyzing one). It was an event that rocked our nation, garnering a significant national response that included a strike of eight million students and had a profound impact on the political-social division happening in the U.S. during the Vietnam War. In reaction to the massacre, the Report of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest concluded that the shootings were "unnecessary", "unwarranted", and "inexcusable".
I'm sure most of you have heard or are somewhat familiar with the events that transpired on this day. It's an often overlooked event in our history but holds such importance in the shaping of our society. What really happened at Kent State nearly forty years ago?
The iconic photograph by John Filo shows Mary Ann Vecchio, a fourteen-year-old runaway, kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller after he was shot by the National Guard.I. The Quick History
The protests that occured at Kent State University began on Friday, May 1, 1970. This came a day after President Richard Nixon announced the launch of a U.S. invasion of Cambodia, remember historically as the Cambodian Campaign. It started as a 500 person demonstration on the Commons of campus until the students disbanded for 1 p.m. classes. Another rally had been planned for May 4th but angry about the new invasion and the Vietnam War itself, the students couldn't wait that long. Many students on campus demonstarted by burning their draft cards while another buried a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Things got out of hand in Kent that night around midnight when people leaving the bars began vandalising and looting. A group of about a 100 young people gathered in the street, lighting a bonfire and yelling obscenities at police until order was restored and the group finally dispersed.
By Saturday, May 2, Kent, OH Mayor Leroy Satrom declared a state of emergency. The National Guard arrived that night to a large protest on campus that led to the burning of the ROTC building. Firemen and police officers were hit with rocks and the fire hose being used to put out the fire was slashed by protestors. Tear gas was used and many arrests were made that night.
On Sunday, May 3, another rally was held on the campus Commons around 8 p.m. The National Guard used tear gas to quickly break up the crowd, and the students reassembled at a busy intersection in town, holding a sit-in with the hopes to gain the attention of and speak to the Mayor. A newly installed curfew went into effect at 11 p.m. and the Guard forced students back into their dorms.
Monday, May 4, 1970
On the fateful day, the rally that had been planned 3 days earlier was scheduled on campus for 12 p.m. The school attempted to ban the rally by handing out fake fliers that the event was canceled...but roughly 2,000 students still gathered. Just before noon, the National Guard returned to break up the rally. When students refused to leave, the Guards used tear gas. Students responded by throwing the tear gas canisters back at guardsmen, threw rocks, and yelled obscenities.
It became clear that this crowd was not going anywhere, so 77 National Guard troops began advancing on the protesters with bayonets attached to their weapons. This caused Students to retreat to Blanket Hill, up over the Commons area. The guardsmen pursued the students up the hill and most protesters scattered to the left and center of the guards in front of Taylor Hall. Others scattered between Taylor Hall and Prentice Hall, while others scattered to the nearby parking lot. After reaching the hill, the National Guard looked confused as to what to do next. They began to retrace their steps and students began to move in on them as the Guards headed back down to the Commons.
Guards aim their rifles at a student waving a flag in protest
Guards aim their rifles at a student waving a flag in protestAt approximately 12:22 p.m., a number of guardsmen on top of the hill began firing their M1 Garand rifles at the students. Their fire wasn't directed at the closest students but rather the ones on the grass and walkway below and at the ones in the parking lot. This resulted in the death and injury of innocent people. In all, 29 of the 77 guardsman claimed to have fired their weapons with a total of 67 bullets being sprayed. The shooting was determined to have lasted only 13 seconds.
Students running for their lives as shots are fired by guards
II. The Aftermath
The question of why the shots were fired remains widely debated. The shooting killed four students and injured nine others, paralyzing one for the rest of his life. Two of the students killed, Allison Krause 343 ft (105 m) fatal left chest wound and Jeffrey Glen Miller 265 ft (81 m) shot through the mouth - killed instantly, participated in the protest and the other two killed, Sandra Lee Scheuer 390 ft (120 m) fatal neck wound and William Knox Schroeder 382 ft (116 m) fatal chest wound, were innocent people just trying to get to their next class. Most of the guardsmen who fired later claimed that they feared for their lives. I tend to disagree because of who was shot and where the people were when they were shot.
The shootings led to protests on college campuses throughout the United States, and a student strike—causing more than 450 campuses across the country to close with both violent and non-violent demonstrations. A common sentiment was expressed by students at New York University with a banner hung out of a window which read "They Can't Kill Us All." Just five days after the shootings, 100,000 people demonstrated in Washington, D.C. against the war and the killing of unarmed student protesters. President Nixon was brought to Camp David for his own safety during this time.The song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (playing at the top of the page) was a protest song written by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State Massacre.
Protests were held on campuses across the countryThis event holds more significance than people realize. It was a time in our history when our government went against everything it stands for. It went against the supreme law of the United States, the morals that this country was founded upon. We are all given certain rights the minute we are born a United States citizen. The First Amendment to the United States Consitution gives us the right to assemble, the right to protest, and the freedom of speech. Thirty-nine years ago today, a Monday, four people were killed and many others injured for exercising these very liberties. They died for no reason and at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect them. And this is your government. 1970 was a crazy time in this country. As a student, whether you agree with them or not, you have to appreciate what that generation did for us. They gave us our voice and showed us how to be heard, how to be proud, and how to stand up for our beliefs. I find it funny how many people in this day in age can be so willing to criticize but are so unwilling to act upon it. We currently live in a country where people claim to be outraged that American kids are being killed over in the Middle East but nobody will organize a legitimate protest unless we incorporate a draft lottery. I happen to support the current war effort and I would defend my country in a heartbeat if called upon...but I can't imagine living in a time where I didn't have a say and being forced to fight for a cause I don't believe in (like the Vietnam War). If you strongly oppose a cause, do something about it. We were given those rights for a reason. If you have any shred of pride or patriotism, you will remember the people affected by today's anniversary. You will take a moment at 12:22 p.m. to relfect. You might not agree with them, but you can't deny the power of standing up for what you believe in. Remember Kent State.
2 comments:
It was sad, but could have been worse. Taking part in insurrections can be dangerous to ones health.
This is the first time I'm actually hearing about this. I guess me only being 19 has something to do with that. It is sad and to the person above me even though it could have been worse that's still 4 students who were killed for no reason at all.
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