Kent State shootings

Lead up to the shooting

Promising to end the Vietnam War, Nixon had been elected President in 1968. The My Lai massacre was exposed in November 1969, and the first draft lottery in the United States since World War II was instituted that December. Since the war had seemed to be winding down throughout 1969, when the war was expanded into Cambodia, many people were outraged. Many young people, including college students, were frightened of being drafted, and the expansion of the war into another country was literally life-threatening to eligible draftees. Across the country, campuses erupted in protests in what Time magazine called "a nation-wide student strike."

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - 1968 - My Lai massacre - 1969 - Draft - World War II - Time

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Friday, May 1st

At Kent State, a massive demonstration was held on May 1st in the Commons, and another was planned for May 4th. There was widespread anger, and many protesters issued a call to "bring the war home." That night, there were many separate incidents between students and police, with bonfires lit in the middle of downtown streets and police cars hit with bottles. Rowdy groups of students began milling around the downtown streets. Several local biker groups were also present. As the bars began closing their doors early to avoid trouble, the students became more agitated. Finally, violence erupted. Store windows were smashed, property was vandalized, and shops were looted.

Related Topics:
May 1 - May 4 - Biker groups

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Saturday, May 2nd

Tensions were high throughout the town, especially on campus. There were unfounded rumors that revolutionaries were planning to destroy the campus and the city to tip off a violent political revolution in the United States.

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Kent's Mayor Leroy Satrom declared a state of emergency on May 2nd and, later that afternoon, asked Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes to send the National Guard to Kent to help maintain order.

Related Topics:
Leroy Satrom - State of emergency - May 2nd - James A. Rhodes - National Guard

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When the National Guard arrived in town that evening, a large demonstration was underway and the campus ROTC building was burning. Many believe the fire may have been set in protest, but the arsonists were never caught. There is speculation about the actual start of the fire, because the ROTC building was already boarded up and scheduled for demolition. Over a thousand protesters surrounded the building and cheered the building's burning. While attempting to extinguish the fire, several Kent firemen and police officers were pelted with rocks and other projectiles by those standing near the fire. More than one fire engine company had to be called in because protesters were slashing firehoses with pocket knives. Again, a call for assistance went out. The National Guard entered the campus for the first time and set up camp directly on campus. Many arrests were made, and tear gas was used.

Related Topics:
ROTC - Arson - Tear gas

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Sunday, May 3rd

On Sunday, the campus was occupied by nearly 1,000 National Guardsmen to control the students, giving the campus the appearance of a war zone.

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A press conference held by Governor Rhodes only added to the tensions, as he called the protesters un-American and made other provocative statements. "They're worse than the brownshirts and the communist element and also the nightriders and the vigilantes," Rhodes said. "They're the worst type of people that we harbor in America. I think that we're up against the strongest, well-trained, militant, revolutionary group that has ever assembled in America."

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He also claimed he would declare a state of emergency, banning further demonstrations, and gave the impression that a situation akin to martial law had been declared. (Actually, Rhodes never did declare the State of Emergency which would have made the May 3rd and 4th protests illegal; this was not known by either the students or the National Guard at the time http://dept.kent.edu/sociology/lewis/LEWIHEN.htm).

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During the day some concerned students came into downtown Kent to offer their time and services with cleanup efforts after the rioting. While many shop owners appreciated this gesture, others were angry and demanded an end to the violence that caused the damage. Mayor Satrom, under pressure from frightened citizens, ordered a curfew until further notice. On Sunday night, another rally was held on the campus Commons, and students defied orders to disperse. Students held a sit-in at the intersection of Lincoln and Main Streets until the Guard forcibly dispersed the crowd. The Guard chased the students around campus, and in the ensuing scuffles stabbed several students with bayonets.

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