DIY History | Transcribe | Social Justice | Student protests, 1972-1973 | 1972-05-10 Daily Iowa Article: ""Peaceful sit-in at recruiters""

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Student protests, 1972-1973

1972-05-10 Daily Iowa Article: ""Peaceful sit-in at recruiters""

Page 2—The Daily Iowan—Iowa City, Iowa—Wed. May 10, 1972

Arrests avoided
Peaceful sit-in at recruiters
A peaceful, eight hour sit-in at the Iowa City Army Recruiting Station ended Tuesday about 5 p.m. when police officers told the group of 15 anti-war protestors to leave the offices or face arrest.
The group had entered the offices at 328 South Clinton Street shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, carrying signs saying "Stop the Killing" and was received cordially by two recruiting officers.
However, one officer quizzed the group as they sat in the offices, "What do you think these sit-ins accomplish anyway?"
David Ranney, University of Iowa professor of urban and regional planning, read a prepared statement by the group, which charged that President Nixon's Vietnam policy was "moving us to the brink of World War III."
"There is no honor left in this war, just the interests of the corporate giants," he said.
During the stay, protestors engaged in an off-and-on dialogue with the recruiters, while some read Bibles.
"We decided during the afternoon that we would leave when asked," said Frank Leone, a member of the contingent in explaining the group's departure.

650 Coralville residents
back fired police chief
CORALVILLE—Petitions with signatures of more persons than voted in Coralville's last election were given to Coralville Mayor Robert Rogers Tuesday night asking that he reinstate the police chief he fired early last Friday morning.
Former Mayor Clarence Wilson presented signatures "of at least 600 to 650 eligible registered voters" and also letters from school children supporting former Chief Wayne Winter.
A statement from Rogers, released Tuesday, said he fired Wilson for "his insulting, profane, unreasonable and insubordinate attitude and statements to the mayor and councilmen that (Thursday) night."
The majority of the 90 persons at the Coralville council meeting said they were concerned about future law enforcement in Coralville.
"People are here to ask questions about the firing and because we feel that the council has not been clear," one person said. "We do not feel that the firing was justified."
Confusion has surrounded Winter's firing. First reports said he was relieved of his command for taking the Coralville auxiliary unit into Iowa City Thursday night to aid other lawmen in controlling a window smashing crowd. But Rogers says he fired Witner for returning to Coralville.
Rogers says he was not notified by Winter at any time about the decision to take lawmen into Iowa City. 
Rogers' statement said he called the Johnson County Sheriff's Department to varify reports that the Coralville men were in Iowa City. "Later," the statement continues, "I was called by Chief Winter who was highly agitated and who insisted he was coming out to Coralville right away. I protested his leaving his post in Iowa City. He made a profane suggestion as to what we could do with his job and hung up the phone."
The mayor allowed a short discussion of the firing, but directed councilmen not to reply to statements from the audience.
Former Mayor Wilson said, "I appointed him (Winters) and I've never had a bit of trouble with him. Why is this happening now? I don't know."
A man at the meeting asked Rogers if he knew where the Coralville force was at that time, about 8:50 p.m.
Rogers said, "Possibly in Iowa City."
The man retorted, "You should know where your police are. If not, your new chief has misinformed you and that's why you fired Winter."
Following similar discussion, Rogers abruptly asked for a motion for adjournment and the meeting ended.
Rogers reportedly said he would not reinstate Winter unless directed to do so by a court order.

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Page 2—The Daily Iowan—Iowa City, Iowa—Wed. May 10, 1972 Arrests avoided Peaceful sit-in at recruiters A peaceful, eight hour sit-in at the Iowa City Army Recruiting Station ended Tuesday about 5 p.m. when police officers told the group of 15 anti-war protestors to leave the offices or face arrest. The group had entered the offices at 328 South Clinton Street shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, carrying signs saying "Stop the Killing" and was received cordially by two recruiting officers. However, one officer quizzed the group as they sat in the offices, "What do you think these sit-ins accomplish anyway?" David Ranney, University of Iowa professor of urban and regional planning, read a prepared statement by the group, which charged that President Nixon's Vietnam policy was "moving us to the brink of World War III." "There is no honor left in this war, just the interests of the corporate giants," he said. During the stay, protestors engaged in an off-and-on dialogue with the recruiters, while some read Bibles. "We decided during the afternoon that we would leave when asked," said Frank Leone, a member of the contingent in explaining the group's departure. 650 Coralville residents back fired police chief CORALVILLE—Petitions with signatures of more persons than voted in Coralville's last election were given to Coralville Mayor Robert Rogers Tuesday night asking that he reinstate the police chief he fired early last Friday morning. Former Mayor Clarence Wilson presented signatures "of at least 600 to 650 eligible registered voters" and also letters from school children supporting former Chief Wayne Winter. A statement from Rogers, released Tuesday, said he fired Wilson for "his insulting, profane, unreasonable and insubordinate attitude and statements to the mayor and councilmen that (Thursday) night." The majority of the 90 persons at the Coralville council meeting said they were concerned about future law enforcement in Coralville. "People are here to ask questions about the firing and because we feel that the council has not been clear," one person said. "We do not feel that the firing was justified." Confusion has surrounded Winter's firing. First reports said he was relieved of his command for taking the Coralville auxiliary unit into Iowa City Thursday night to aid other lawmen in controlling a window smashing crowd. But Rogers says he fired Witner for returning to Coralville. Rogers says he was not notified by Winter at any time about the decision to take lawmen into Iowa City. Rogers' statement said he called the Johnson County Sheriff's Department to varify reports that the Coralville men were in Iowa City. "Later," the statement continues, "I was called by Chief Winter who was highly agitated and who insisted he was coming out to Coralville right away. I protested his leaving his post in Iowa City. He made a profane suggestion as to what we could do with his job and hung up the phone." The mayor allowed a short discussion of the firing, but directed councilmen not to reply to statements from the audience. Former Mayor Wilson said, "I appointed him (Winters) and I've never had a bit of trouble with him. Why is this happening now? I don't know." A man at the meeting asked Rogers if he knew where the Coralville force was at that time, about 8:50 p.m. Rogers said, "Possibly in Iowa City." The man retorted, "You should know where your police are. If not, your new chief has misinformed you and that's why you fired Winter." Following similar discussion, Rogers abruptly asked for a motion for adjournment and the meeting ended. Rogers reportedly said he would not reinstate Winter unless directed to do so by a court order.