DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-05-08 Daily Iowan Article: ""Governor's Day Canceled""

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-08 Daily Iowan Article: ""Governor's Day Canceled""

DI May 8, 1970
Governor's Day Canceled
University Pres. Willard Boyd, saying he saw a "strong probability of bloodshed," Thursday canceled the 89th annual Governor's Day ROTC observance, scheduled for Saturday. 
The following statement was released in Iowa City while Boyd was in Des Moines for a speech to teachers after a morning conference with Iowa Gov. Robert Ray. 
"In view of the emotionally charged situation in this community, as well as throughout the country, I have been urged by both student and senior ROTC officers, the Faculty Council, the deans, local civil and law enforcement officials, and a number of students - including the president of the student body - to cancel the annual ROTC observance scheduled for Saturday morning. After careful consideration, I have decided that I must accept their collective judgement that the event should not be held as scheduled. 
[Bolded] "It must be clear to all that this cancellation involves a surrender of principle in the interest of public safety. It must be clear to all that the price we pay for this surrender is beyond calculation. 
"The issue is not solely ROTC. The issue is also whether a group of students enrolled in an authorized University program are to be prevented from carrying on that program. 
"Acceding to force is intolerable to me personally. But in this instance, faced with what I am now convinced is the strong probability of bloodshed among many whose only role would be that of bystander, there is no choice but to deviate from one principle in favor of the important competing human value of physical safety for the many. When masses of people are involved in physical confrontation, the results are not controllable - as has been made far too clear to us these past few days throughout the country.
"Now I call upon all students to return to their studies, and I ask the many non-students now in our midst to leave the campus. Further violence at this time can only bring into question the sincerity of purpose of those whose voices have been raised against Saturday's ceremony. 
"Just two weeks of classwork remain in this semester. Let us make them the most construction weeks of the year."
[Bolded] Ray said Thursday evening that he had been an invited guest of the University for Saturday's ROTC event and that he had told University officials he would have honored his commitment. 
Ray said that although he had been kept informed on activities at the University, he though those "closest to the difficulties are the best informed and the decision should be theirs to make and I will abide by their decision."
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Ray said: "I am sensitive to those who have great concern about, have great frustrations over, and a desire to end the war. I am shocked by the tragic events at Kent State University and am disheartened by the continued climate of violent confrontation that has occurred on many of our nation's campuses. 
"But let me make one thing completely clear. I will not condone or accept or tolerate the occurrence of violence on or off our campuses  and I will take whatever measures necessary to protect the lives and property of peaceful, rational and responsible Iowans, whether they be student demonstrators or other private citizens. 
[Bolded] "College campuses are not launching pads for mob violence. They are for education and they must be protected for those who are there for that purpose."
When asked whether the National Guard had been put on any kind of alert, Ray said: "I have always said I thought law enforcement is up to local officials. We (governor's office) stand ready and able to contribute if necessary."
Ray said he preferred using Highway Patrol officers trained for such matters and who could more easily "keep their cool."
In a press conference held at the Union Rim Room Thursday afternoon, Student Body President Robert (Bo) Beller issued the following statement: "The decision to cancel Governor's Day was a prudent one and consistent with Pres. Boyd's often expressed desire to keep this campus peaceful. But Governor's Day in it itself is not the disease, and as long as the ROTC program on this campus is the real issue at hand."
This year's Governor's Day is the only one since the first event in 1881 to be cancelled by student demonstrations.

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DI May 8, 1970 Governor's Day Canceled University Pres. Willard Boyd, saying he saw a "strong probability of bloodshed," Thursday canceled the 89th annual Governor's Day ROTC observance, scheduled for Saturday. The following statement was released in Iowa City while Boyd was in Des Moines for a speech to teachers after a morning conference with Iowa Gov. Robert Ray. "In view of the emotionally charged situation in this community, as well as throughout the country, I have been urged by both student and senior ROTC officers, the Faculty Council, the deans, local civil and law enforcement officials, and a number of students - including the president of the student body - to cancel the annual ROTC observance scheduled for Saturday morning. After careful consideration, I have decided that I must accept their collective judgement that the event should not be held as scheduled. [Bolded] "It must be clear to all that this cancellation involves a surrender of principle in the interest of public safety. It must be clear to all that the price we pay for this surrender is beyond calculation. "The issue is not solely ROTC. The issue is also whether a group of students enrolled in an authorized University program are to be prevented from carrying on that program. "Acceding to force is intolerable to me personally. But in this instance, faced with what I am now convinced is the strong probability of bloodshed among many whose only role would be that of bystander, there is no choice but to deviate from one principle in favor of the important competing human value of physical safety for the many. When masses of people are involved in physical confrontation, the results are not controllable - as has been made far too clear to us these past few days throughout the country. "Now I call upon all students to return to their studies, and I ask the many non-students now in our midst to leave the campus. Further violence at this time can only bring into question the sincerity of purpose of those whose voices have been raised against Saturday's ceremony. "Just two weeks of classwork remain in this semester. Let us make them the most construction weeks of the year." [Bolded] Ray said Thursday evening that he had been an invited guest of the University for Saturday's ROTC event and that he had told University officials he would have honored his commitment. Ray said that although he had been kept informed on activities at the University, he though those "closest to the difficulties are the best informed and the decision should be theirs to make and I will abide by their decision." In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Ray said: "I am sensitive to those who have great concern about, have great frustrations over, and a desire to end the war. I am shocked by the tragic events at Kent State University and am disheartened by the continued climate of violent confrontation that has occurred on many of our nation's campuses. "But let me make one thing completely clear. I will not condone or accept or tolerate the occurrence of violence on or off our campuses and I will take whatever measures necessary to protect the lives and property of peaceful, rational and responsible Iowans, whether they be student demonstrators or other private citizens. [Bolded] "College campuses are not launching pads for mob violence. They are for education and they must be protected for those who are there for that purpose." When asked whether the National Guard had been put on any kind of alert, Ray said: "I have always said I thought law enforcement is up to local officials. We (governor's office) stand ready and able to contribute if necessary." Ray said he preferred using Highway Patrol officers trained for such matters and who could more easily "keep their cool." In a press conference held at the Union Rim Room Thursday afternoon, Student Body President Robert (Bo) Beller issued the following statement: "The decision to cancel Governor's Day was a prudent one and consistent with Pres. Boyd's often expressed desire to keep this campus peaceful. But Governor's Day in it itself is not the disease, and as long as the ROTC program on this campus is the real issue at hand." This year's Governor's Day is the only one since the first event in 1881 to be cancelled by student demonstrations.