DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971 | 1971-04-21 Des Moines Register Photo: ""Block Bus at Iowa City"" Page 2

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971

1971-04-21 Des Moines Register Photo: ""Block Bus at Iowa City"" Page 2

DMR 4/21/71
p.2 (of 2) 

PRE-INDUCTION BUS BLOCKED
By Larry Eckholt 
(Register Staff Writer) 

IOWA CITY, IA. - IN Tuesday morning's dawn, Randy Johansen - a 21-year-old University of Iowa senior from Hampton - boarded a chartered bus bound for Fort Des Moines where he was scheduled to undergo a military pre-induction physical. 
But before the bus carrying Johnasen and about 30 other young draft registrants was able to embark on its 110-mile journey to Des Moines, three proponents of peace leaned against the front of vehicle, delaying its departure about seven minutes. 
Then, in a scenario which is becoming almost routine in front of the U.S. Post Office Tuesday mornings here, the trio of protesters was arrested on disorderly conduct charges by local police. 
While about 50 more anti-war demonstrators stood by silently, the bus sped off without further incident. A few minutes later, the police patrol car carrying those arrested left for the Civic Center. And all was quiet again. 
Tuesday's early morning protest was the fourth such event since early March and the third in which persons have been arrested. 
Three local peace groups - the Iowa Peace Action Coalition, Women's International 

PICTURE: Page One

League for Peace and Freedom and Christians Affirming Life - as well as other persons have been gathering since Mar. 1 in front of the post office whenever a busload of draft registrants leaves for armed service physicals or inductions.

Serve Refreshments

The young men bound for Des Moines Tuesday generally were responsive to the peace groups' concern about them, the draft and the Indochina war. While some disagreed with the groups' political stance they all appreciated the free coffee and doughnuts given them.
For Randy Johansen, Tuesday's excursion was an experience which most young men face art least once in their lifetimes. But Johansen's draft lottery number is 67, he graduates in June, and he says he is almost certain he will be called up this summer. 
Johansen said he "really appreciated" the concern shown by the peace groups for him and his fellow draftees. 

The 3 Arrested

In the last six weeks, a total of eight persons has been arrested on three occasions for delaying buses here. The three arrested Tuesday were Donald L. Spencer, 41, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the U of I; Rick Smith, 22 a U of I senior from West Des Moines; and a local nurse, Mrs. Connie Vogel, 27. 
While Mrs. Vogel stood in front of the bus, she explained why she decided to risk possible arrest while opposing the war. 
"i personally feel that I've tried everything else," she said. "I've written letters, sent petitions, but nothing's changed. This is the only alternative, as I see it."

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DMR 4/21/71 p.2 (of 2) PRE-INDUCTION BUS BLOCKED By Larry Eckholt (Register Staff Writer) IOWA CITY, IA. - IN Tuesday morning's dawn, Randy Johansen - a 21-year-old University of Iowa senior from Hampton - boarded a chartered bus bound for Fort Des Moines where he was scheduled to undergo a military pre-induction physical. But before the bus carrying Johnasen and about 30 other young draft registrants was able to embark on its 110-mile journey to Des Moines, three proponents of peace leaned against the front of vehicle, delaying its departure about seven minutes. Then, in a scenario which is becoming almost routine in front of the U.S. Post Office Tuesday mornings here, the trio of protesters was arrested on disorderly conduct charges by local police. While about 50 more anti-war demonstrators stood by silently, the bus sped off without further incident. A few minutes later, the police patrol car carrying those arrested left for the Civic Center. And all was quiet again. Tuesday's early morning protest was the fourth such event since early March and the third in which persons have been arrested. Three local peace groups - the Iowa Peace Action Coalition, Women's International PICTURE: Page One League for Peace and Freedom and Christians Affirming Life - as well as other persons have been gathering since Mar. 1 in front of the post office whenever a busload of draft registrants leaves for armed service physicals or inductions. Serve Refreshments The young men bound for Des Moines Tuesday generally were responsive to the peace groups' concern about them, the draft and the Indochina war. While some disagreed with the groups' political stance they all appreciated the free coffee and doughnuts given them. For Randy Johansen, Tuesday's excursion was an experience which most young men face art least once in their lifetimes. But Johansen's draft lottery number is 67, he graduates in June, and he says he is almost certain he will be called up this summer. Johansen said he "really appreciated" the concern shown by the peace groups for him and his fellow draftees. The 3 Arrested In the last six weeks, a total of eight persons has been arrested on three occasions for delaying buses here. The three arrested Tuesday were Donald L. Spencer, 41, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the U of I; Rick Smith, 22 a U of I senior from West Des Moines; and a local nurse, Mrs. Connie Vogel, 27. While Mrs. Vogel stood in front of the bus, she explained why she decided to risk possible arrest while opposing the war. "i personally feel that I've tried everything else," she said. "I've written letters, sent petitions, but nothing's changed. This is the only alternative, as I see it."