DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Student protests, May-December 1971 | 1971-05-07 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Bomb Blast Damages Iowa City Civic Center"" Page 2

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Student protests, May-December 1971

1971-05-07 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Bomb Blast Damages Iowa City Civic Center"" Page 2

A bomb explosion blew a hole in the foundation of the civic center early today, two hours after police quelled the second night of the disorder downtown Iowa City.

The bomb, as powerful as two to three sticks of dynamite, according to police, was placed near the front of the city council chamber. It shattered [13?] plate glass windows, tore a 12-square-foot hole through a basement wall and damaged a small air conditioner. No one was injured.

Meanwhile. Johnson County Sheriff Maynard Schneider came in for criticism this morning for his decision to lead deputies in a charge to turn back a crowd marching on the Court house late Thursday.

City Manager Frank R. smiley said the Sheriff had not conferred with other law enforcement officials before moving his deputies out against the crowd of marchers on Clinton Street.

Schneider later ignored pleas from Police Chief Patrick J. McCarney and student monitors to move his men back from the Pentacrest area.

City Atty. Jay Honohan reportedly discussed with McCarney the possibility of arresting the sheriff to remove him from the scene.

"I hear there was discussion of that," Smiley said. The report was backed up by other city officials, who asked that their names not be used.

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A bomb explosion blew a hole in the foundation of the civic center early today, two hours after police quelled the second night of the disorder downtown Iowa City. The bomb, as powerful as two to three sticks of dynamite, according to police, was placed near the front of the city council chamber. It shattered [13?] plate glass windows, tore a 12-square-foot hole through a basement wall and damaged a small air conditioner. No one was injured. Meanwhile. Johnson County Sheriff Maynard Schneider came in for criticism this morning for his decision to lead deputies in a charge to turn back a crowd marching on the Court house late Thursday. City Manager Frank R. smiley said the Sheriff had not conferred with other law enforcement officials before moving his deputies out against the crowd of marchers on Clinton Street. Schneider later ignored pleas from Police Chief Patrick J. McCarney and student monitors to move his men back from the Pentacrest area. City Atty. Jay Honohan reportedly discussed with McCarney the possibility of arresting the sheriff to remove him from the scene. "I hear there was discussion of that," Smiley said. The report was backed up by other city officials, who asked that their names not be used.