After 54 years Kent State, remains a relative warning against the use of force against peaceful protests across American Campuses.
The History
On the 30th of April 1970, President Nixon announced the “Cambodian Incursion” which was an increase in military activity and the deployment of American ground troops into northern Cambodia. This was met with mass anti-war protests across the nation including Kent State. On the 4th of May a protest of 300 students gathered in a demonstration around the University Victory Bell.
This protest was attempted to be prevented by Governor of Ohio James A. Rhodes who imposed martial law by calling in the National Guard. As a result of this, a curfew for the University was put into effect and a strict ban on protesting was enforced.This however did not deter the students from continuing their protest.
After issuing an order to disperse from the area, tear gas was launched into the crowd to which the students responded by throwing rocks and retreating away from the victory bell and over Blanket Hill. As the Ohio National Guard marched towards the students, they opened fire on the 300 protesters which resulted in the killing of 4 students and leaving 19 injured.
In response to this massacre there was a nationwide student strike that included 450 Universities and 100,000 people demonstrating in Washington, D.C. Later President Nixon established the President’s Commission on Campus Unrest which concluded that the Ohio National Guard actions were unjustified.
How does this apply to today?
54 years later student protestors are still being faced with force by militarised police. With 2,000 students currently arrested throughout America, the lessons learned from Kent State should be revisited.
Following the 2023 October 7th attacks against Israel conducted by Hammams, Palestine has faced constant bombardment from the Israeli Defence Force. Since the start of this war, 34,596 Palestinians have been killed with 77,816 injured. This has brought criticism upon Israel as they are accused of committing genocide on the Palestinian people.
Many University Students have become inspired to protest the actions of Israel and the treatment of the Palestinian people with chats demanding a “free Palestine” and opposition to the US government’s funding of the state of Israel. The methods to protest this cause include graffiti, tent encampments, and public demonstrations. The majority of these protests occurred at UCLA and Columbia University however demonstrations have occurred on 40 campuses throughout the US including Kent State.
The protests have been met with riot police who used methods of physical force like pepper spray, rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bangs. Notably in the case of Columbia University police discharged warning shots inside a campus building occupied by protestors. These are physically violent methods that have led to mass arrests and strongly Resemble the actions of the Kent State National Guard.
This begs the question of the US law enforcement has learned from the mistakes made during Kent State. The actions of Brown University may have provided a new alternative solution to such a conflict by resorting to violent means. Following a February hunger strike and sit-in demonstrations Brown University has considered a proposal on divestment. This proposal would reduce assets and funding the University that has connections to Israel.
In April the University and proctors reached an agreement that ended the student encampment and prevented disruptive political activities from occurring for the rest of the school year. In exchange 5 students will be invited to present their arguments of divestment to 5 members of the Corporation of Brown University in May.
Therefore after 54 years following the Kent State massacre students still face the same level of resistance. Through actively campaigning on social media and the use of media coverage, these student organisations have gained a substantial level of credibility. This has provided them with the opportunity to finally sit down at the negotiation table.
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Third year Undergraduate Student at University of Stirling studying Politics and Film & Media.
