45th anniversary of the US sanctioned murder of four students at Kent State University

[marym625]

On the weekend of May 4, 1970, students across the country were protesting the US involvement in the Vietnam War and our "secret" expansion into Cambodia and Laos.

At Kent State, the National Guard was called in. While tension mounted on May 3rd, the students remained resolute in their purpose.

After 45 years, the families of the victims and the 9 victims who survived (the families of those who have since died) are still waiting for justice.

The "kill order" has been discovered on a tape. The tape has been verified as authentic by independent sources as well as the FBI. However, the DoD and the DoJ refuse to reopen the case. The UN has even called on the US to reopen the investigation, without a response.
Order to shoot: http://www.may4.org/ohionationalguardordertofire.html


In memory of:

Killed on May 4, 1970 by the National Guard

Jeffrey Glenn Miller; age 20; 265 ft (81 m) shot through the mouth; killed instantly

Allison B. Krause; age 19; 343 ft (105 m) fatal left chest wound; died later that day

William Knox Schroeder; age 19; 382 ft (116 m) shot in the back; fatal chest wound; died almost an hour later in a hospital while undergoing surgery

Sandra Lee Scheuer; age 20; 390 ft (120 m) fatal neck wound; died a few minutes later from loss of blood

Students wounded:

Joseph Lewis Jr.; 71 ft (22 m); hit twice in the right abdomen and left lower leg

John R. Cleary; 110 ft (34 m); upper left chest wound

Thomas Mark Grace; 225 ft (69 m); struck in left ankle

Alan Michael Canfora 225 ft (69 m); hit in his right wrist

Dean R. Kahler; 300 ft (91 m); back wound fracturing the vertebrae, permanently paralyzed from the chest down

Douglas Alan Wrentmore; 329 ft (100 m); hit in his right knee

James Dennis Russell; 375 ft (114 m); hit in his right thigh from a bullet and in the right forehead by birdshot, both wounds minor (since has passed away)

Robert Follis Stamps; 495 ft (151 m); hit in his right buttock (since has passed away)

Donald Scott MacKenzie; 750 ft (230 m); neck wound

Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Look familiar? Who's next?

A great source of information, The May4 Organization run by Alan Canfora and the other surviving victims, still fighting for justice

http://www.may4.org/

Peace

[livetohike]

1. Such clear memories of hearing the news that day. Allison Krause was a local girl

(Pittsburgh) and the news of this tragedy and seeing her father on the local news was heart wrenching.

It can't be 45 years ago.

[marym625]

2. her sister is still fighting too

45 years and still no justice.

Except for the clothes, the pictures of the National Guard could be from today.

Sickening

[livetohike]

3. It is sickening. It could happen again. I was just finishing my Senior year in high school.

I didn't think this could happen on a college campus. I was so naive.

Just finished watching our local morning news. Not one mention of this sad anniversary.

[marym625]

4. wow!

Same here but I am in Chicago. You are where it happened

I won't be surprised if we see it again very soon

[livetohike]

5. I'm in Pennsylvania. We live two hours north of Pgh. and get the Pgh channels.

I thought since Allison Krause was from Pittsburgh the news might devote two sentences to commemorate this day. 😕

[marym625]

6. Maybe they don't want to draw the comparison

To what is still going on.

Disgusting

[marym625]

9. btw

I have sent this post and the 2 other posts about this to the May 4 organization. I want them to know we haven't forgotten

[livetohike]

38. That was a good idea.

[marym625]

39. They have to feel forgotten as time goes on

Thank you

[steve2470]

7. Huge k&r! nt

[marym625]

8. Thank you, Steve

I hope all our younger DUers see that we've been fighting the police state forever

[Omaha Steve]

10. Four Dead in Ohio

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio

Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?

Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.

Read more: Neil Young - Ohio Lyrics | MetroLyrics

[marym625]

12. Thank you Steve!

It's interesting looking at the different pictures people put with the song.

I remember calling the local high school radio station asking them to play this in honor of the victims. That was on May 4, 1985. They didn't know what the song was really about. I was surprised to say the least. But, even with that, the song is an easy history lesson. If the kids don't know it's based on fact it sure makes it easier to teach them

[deutsey]

11. K&R

[marym625]

13. Thank you!

[FailureToCommunicate]

14. Another thread marking the anniversary here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6616613

[marym625]

15. I rec'd and kicked it

I also sent it, along with another post about it and my post, to Alan Canfora. He is the head of the May4.org and one of the victims of the National Guard.

[FailureToCommunicate]

16. Good idea. It's mad that justice still eludes the families of the victims all these decades later.

[marym625]

19. especially with the proof of the order to shoot

[LeftinOH]

17. My brother-in-law's uncle was William Schroeder's roommate.

I learned about this particular story over Thanksgiving dinner a couple of years ago, at which both the uncle and I were guests. Of course, my brother-in-law's family already knew all about this.. but I 'm not really part of their family (my sister's in-laws).

One of the fatalities, Schroder (who was in ROTC) was not a student protester; he was just trying to get from one place to the other. Normally, he had to wear his uniform, but that day of the week he was permitted to wear civilian clothes. As such, he was wearing same the groovy threads as everyone else. The uncle was near him when he was shot, and was with him as he lay dying. Needless to say, it was quite a Thanksgiving table conversation.

[marym625]

22. my sympathy to them

I have read this story. It is tragic and so said. I believe I have read words written directly from William Schroeder's roommate.

I can't recall right now, but I believe Sandy Scheuer was also just on her way to class.

It's such a dark period in our history. Two days later, more students killed at Jackson. And still, no justice.

That had to be a hard thanksgiving

[Lifelong Protester]

18. I have not forgotten

and still fight for/hope for justice.

[marym625]

23. Thank you

Truly, anyone still fighting for justice for this atrocity, I am thankful to

[Tom Ripley]

20. It followed this...

The Orangeburg Massacre

The Orangeburg Massacre refers to the shooting of protesters by South Carolina Highway Patrol Officers in Orangeburg, South Carolina near South Carolina State University on the evening of February 8, 1968.[1] The approximately 150 protestors were demonstrating against racial segregation at a local bowling alley. Three of the protestors, African American males, were killed and twenty-eight other protestors were injured.[2]

The event pre-dated the 1970 Kent State shootings and Jackson State killings, in which the National Guard at Kent State, and police and state highway patrol at Jackson State killed student protesters demonstrating against the United States invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangeburg_massacre

[marym625]

24. Thank you for this information

Both the NC and the Jackson State murders don't get enough attention.

[bvf]

21. Thank you for this, Mary.

We mustn't forget this, or Jackson State some days later.

[marym625]

25. Just 2 days, I believe

Thank you

[MarianJack]

26. I remember some "Silent Majority" pro war RWNJs REJOICING in these murders.

"We got 4 and next time MORE"! Bastards!

PEACE!

[marym625]

28. and the horrible headline

"THE KENT STATE FOUR SHOULD HAVE STUDIED MORE"

Sick bastards.

[valerief]

27. Four dead Americans only matter when it happens in Benghazi.

At least, that's what the oligarch news tells me.

[marym625]

29. so true

So very, sadly, true

[Siwsan]

30. I hear the song "Ohio" and I'm emotionally transported back to that day

This day was always in my mind during my years of protesting the Iraq invasion. Most notably on the Sunday afternoon, during our weekly protest, when we noticed the barrel of a gun pointed out of the window of a car, and directly at us.

[marym625]

32. jesus!

Where was that.

I remember taking my younger cousin to an Iraq War protest and it was the same day as the South Side Chicago St. Patrick day parade. Her mother was upset she was going and was fearful because of Kent State. Something that was often on her mind. But I told her there will be more violence and arrests at the parade than the protest. I was right

[Siwsan]

34. We were out EVERY Sunday, in Flint, MI

We were threatened, attempts at intimidation (didn't work), had our license plate numbers recorded, and were called every foul name in the book. But we also had cars pull over and the occupants join us, lots of encouraging horn honks and waves, and one cold, snowy, blowy winter day, an Iraq veteran brought us all big cups of hot coffee.

I used to bring a stack of DD4 (military enlistment forms) and offer them to the people who harassed us, encouraging them to go and enlist. Also had the address of the local enlistment office. BUT, shock of shock, I never had any takers!

[marym625]

36. Thank you!

And bravo! That's dedication!

Yes, shocked there were no takers. Shocked I tell you!

[JohnnyRingo]

31. K&R

Thanx for posting this.

I live about 25 miles from there and have friends who were on campus that day. I even used to work with a guy who was there as a member of the ONG.

[marym625]

33. I imagine there will be memorials today

Thank you. Can't imagine that anyone that was there is completely healed in spirit. Especially with our current situation

[JohnnyRingo]

46. Unfortunately, time heals such tragic memories.

Cinco de Mayo was probably more recognized here than the KSU shootings. The younger students at the school have been trying to gloss over the history to avoid the lasting stigma of being the site of a bloody massacre. Viet Nam wasn't their fight.

I sadly saw the official apology signed by members of the ONG and asshole Governor Rhodes show up on an episode of Antiques Roadshow a couple years back.

[marym625]

47. omd

That's so sad. And trying to erase history is just so wrong

Ebay? Horrible

My heart breaks

[JEB]

35. Thanks for pulling this shit out from under the rug.

Our country has an exceptional ability to forget our shameful acts.

[marym625]

37. We sure do

Thank you

[Gemini Cat]

40. Those of us of a certain age will never forget.

Thanks for posting this Mary.

[marym625]

41. I was only 6

And I remember it well.

Thank you

[Caretha]

42. Mary

I was a senior in High School when this happened. Every year since then, I've always always remembered.

Now everytime I hear of the brutality of the police, and all the slaughter of our young black men/women who are being gunned down in America today, I think there is no difference between now & then, except it is getting worse and worse day by day.

We are at war, we have been at war since Kent State.

[marym625]

43. Yes, we are

Yes, we have.

Longer even if you count how long black people have been targeted by police and the whole system

If you change the pictures of today to black and white photos, except for the clothes, it could be the 60s and 70s. Especially the uprisings after Martin Luther King Jr was murdered by the US.

[Major Hogwash]

44. Sickening.

Whoever said that Kent State killed the 60s was right.

[marym625]

45. yep

The day that lives in infamy.

I want these people to see justice.