DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Student protests, May-December 1971 | 1971-05-06 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Anti-War Rally Erupts Into Free-for-All Here"" Page 2

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Student protests, May-December 1971

1971-05-06 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Anti-War Rally Erupts Into Free-for-All Here"" Page 2

PRESS-CITIZEN
MAY 6, 1971 
2 of 4

Windows Broken, 26 Arrested
By Thomas C Walsh of the Press-Citizen

What began Wednesday night as an orderly anti-war rally on the University of Iowa's Pentacrest evolved into a four-hour free-for-all which left 155 windows broken, 26 persons arrested and a thick air of speculation about things to come.

At 7:30 p.m. an estimated 350 persons marched from the Pentacrest to the Courthouse and the National Guard Armory on South Dubeque Street to demonstrate their opposition to the Vietnam war and to commemorate the anniversary of student casualties sustained in last spring's anti-war protests. On their way back from the armory, about 50 members of the group decided to stage a sit-in at the intersection of Clinton and Burlington Streets while about 200 protesters stood around them. Student monitors directed traffic away from the corner, but then sit-in ended quickly and the crowd regrouped downtown.

The group - now numbering almost 400 - jammed Washington Street and slowly moved toward the Civic Center, some members chanting anti-war slogans while others played with Frisbees, walked their dogs or maneuvered through the crowd on bicycles. When it came within a block of the police station the crowd quickly stopped and made a quick about-face, apparently not knowing exactly where it wanted to go or why it was there.

Road Closed
Both on their way to the Fieldhouse - where 100 windows in the ROTC complex were smashed - and on their way back to the Pentacrest, anti-war demonstrators Wednesday night halted traffic on Riverside Drive at Burlington Street. Neither of the tie-ups lasted longer than 10 minutes, and student monitors managed to divert traffic past the protesters. One driver attempted to slowly drive his car through, but he was surrounded and forced to turn back (Press Citizen photo).

Comments, Reactions From Officials, Student Leaders

Disorder here Wednesday night brought comment from Gov. Robert Ray, University of Iowa officials and students leaders.

All said they deplored violence and property damage that figured in the outburst in downtown Iowa City.

University of Iowa President Willard L Boyd released the following prepared statement:

"Last night's unlawful activit (column continues on next page)
to limit the damage to property. These young people did their best to cope with an impossible situation. We are all in their debt"

Stanley F Redeker of [] president of the State Board of Regents, said this morning he had talked with Boyd Wednesday night about the disturbance, and "I support the statement of the president of the university". He added: (column continues on the next page)

does not necessarily call for violence so the campus of our university. Killings in Indochina do not justify killings here. Windows and storefronts being smashed halfway across the nation justify no demands for similar actions in Iowa City".

The student leaders called on their fellow students "to consider for yourself the possible outcomes of any actions you take during the rest of the (column continues on the next page).

A small truck provided the answers. As the crowd moved toward Dubuque Street, a truck bearing markings from Barney's DX Service, a service station at 122 South Linn Street, turned onto Washington Street and sped west through the crowd, striking some of the demonstrators.

"Get Barney's" came the cry and most of the crowd raced around the corner to the service (column continues on the next page).

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PRESS-CITIZEN MAY 6, 1971 2 of 4 Windows Broken, 26 Arrested By Thomas C Walsh of the Press-Citizen What began Wednesday night as an orderly anti-war rally on the University of Iowa's Pentacrest evolved into a four-hour free-for-all which left 155 windows broken, 26 persons arrested and a thick air of speculation about things to come. At 7:30 p.m. an estimated 350 persons marched from the Pentacrest to the Courthouse and the National Guard Armory on South Dubeque Street to demonstrate their opposition to the Vietnam war and to commemorate the anniversary of student casualties sustained in last spring's anti-war protests. On their way back from the armory, about 50 members of the group decided to stage a sit-in at the intersection of Clinton and Burlington Streets while about 200 protesters stood around them. Student monitors directed traffic away from the corner, but then sit-in ended quickly and the crowd regrouped downtown. The group - now numbering almost 400 - jammed Washington Street and slowly moved toward the Civic Center, some members chanting anti-war slogans while others played with Frisbees, walked their dogs or maneuvered through the crowd on bicycles. When it came within a block of the police station the crowd quickly stopped and made a quick about-face, apparently not knowing exactly where it wanted to go or why it was there. Road Closed Both on their way to the Fieldhouse - where 100 windows in the ROTC complex were smashed - and on their way back to the Pentacrest, anti-war demonstrators Wednesday night halted traffic on Riverside Drive at Burlington Street. Neither of the tie-ups lasted longer than 10 minutes, and student monitors managed to divert traffic past the protesters. One driver attempted to slowly drive his car through, but he was surrounded and forced to turn back (Press Citizen photo). Comments, Reactions From Officials, Student Leaders Disorder here Wednesday night brought comment from Gov. Robert Ray, University of Iowa officials and students leaders. All said they deplored violence and property damage that figured in the outburst in downtown Iowa City. University of Iowa President Willard L Boyd released the following prepared statement: "Last night's unlawful activit (column continues on next page) to limit the damage to property. These young people did their best to cope with an impossible situation. We are all in their debt" Stanley F Redeker of [] president of the State Board of Regents, said this morning he had talked with Boyd Wednesday night about the disturbance, and "I support the statement of the president of the university". He added: (column continues on the next page) does not necessarily call for violence so the campus of our university. Killings in Indochina do not justify killings here. Windows and storefronts being smashed halfway across the nation justify no demands for similar actions in Iowa City". The student leaders called on their fellow students "to consider for yourself the possible outcomes of any actions you take during the rest of the (column continues on the next page). A small truck provided the answers. As the crowd moved toward Dubuque Street, a truck bearing markings from Barney's DX Service, a service station at 122 South Linn Street, turned onto Washington Street and sped west through the crowd, striking some of the demonstrators. "Get Barney's" came the cry and most of the crowd raced around the corner to the service (column continues on the next page).