community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
May 4th, 1970: Can it happen again?
by Akeeba
Tuesday, May. 06, 2008 at 5:30 AM
This past Sunday, May 4, 2008, marked the 38th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre. On May 4, 1970, four people were shot to death and nine others were shot and injured while protesting the Vietnam war, the escalation of that war into Cambodia, and the increased presence of the national guard on the Kent State campus. This historic moment, along with the government shootings at Jackson State forced universities throughout the U.S. to shut down and added much needed public pressure to Nixon's administration leading to increased troop withdrawals from Vietnam and Cambodia. This year, people gathered in that same location on the Kent State campus in order to remember what happened and to continue fighting against the current illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Information tables were set up. Speakers spoke. Bands performed. Children played. On this sunny day, people gathered at Kent State in order to remember what happened on May 4, 1970 and to ask a question, "Where does it end?" And that's a great question to ask because based on current events, one does have to wonder when and where the need for war and collective violence will end? After the commemoration, many people gathered together for a march past the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and into downtown Kent, OH. As we marched, we chanted the familiar anti-war slogans, probably the same or similar slogans that were chanted on May 4, 1970. These slogans provide us with the answers to this question by suggesting that it ends here and it ends now. Granted, slogans on their own cannot end war and collective violence. However, the people chanting the slogans and the people hearing the slogans can. And so we marched. When we reached the ROTC building on campus, folks started taping up peace signs to the front doors and windows of the building. Instead of burning the building down like some did in 1970, we showed our dedication to peace by creating a powerful symbol, a powerful statement that peace can overcome and peace is possible if we act to make it so. And then we moved on in order to continue the march. We had great spirit, with the loud and strong united front of the march in the lead and the baby strollers following close behind. People played drums and sang. Danced and cheered. And then we made it to the bridge. We stopped on this bridge and reclaimed the bridge for the people. "Who's streets? Our streets!" And we danced some more. The police backed off for at least a few hours before forcing anyone off the bridge and ultimately four people were arrested. But in the end, the commemoration took place. The march against the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq took place. The memories were both re-lived and re-created in our minds so that all of us, together, can act to make sure that what happened at Kent State and Jackson State in 1970 will never happen again.![[masthead]](/images/masthead_140.png)
