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Originally posted by sugar and spice
I think it would have been interesting to be in college back then.
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Yes, it was. Mrs. DA's graduating class (1970) did not have an commencement ceremony because the university was closed after riots following the Kent State Shootings. I think (not completely sure) that all of the state supported colleges in Ohio were closed.
I was directing TV news in Columbus and remember our crews getting tear gassed by the police who weren't crazy about the students or the media. Then, for the rest of the summer, National Guard surrounding the Ohio State campus allowing only those with OSU ID cards through the picket lines.
In Athens, there were Naitonal Guardsmen at every other parking meter throughout town. There had been a number of anti-war demonstrations -- some turning into riots over the years I was on campus.
The most impressive one I remember, though, was totally peaceful. It started as a silent vigil on the College Green, then a silent march (students and faculty) two by two from the Green to the local Draft Board (about 10 city blocks) and then back to the Green. As the first pair of marchers arrived back at the Green, there were still people waiting to begin the march.
There was a special "Moratorium Day" radio network of college stations from across the country put together, and our student run station was part of it. The only ugly thing that marred the silent march was "townie" hecklers.
There are a lot more stories, but that's the one I remember best. It was perhaps the most exciting and at the same time the most scary time to be a student that I can imagine.