DIY History | Transcribe | Social Justice | Student protests, 1972-1973 | 1972-05-11 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Talk Replaces Demonstrations""

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Student protests, 1972-1973

1972-05-11 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Talk Replaces Demonstrations""

P.C 5/11/72

Talk Replaces Demonstrations

It was talk rather than demonstrations Wednesday night as authorities continued heavy patrol of downtown Iowa city. 
Although a small group, a dozen or so persons gathered on the steps of Old Capitol early in the evening, most were gone by 10:30 p,m. One of them commented "It just goes to show how interested (in the Haiphong harbor mining) people are - last night 3,000 demonstrators tonight nobody."
Iowa Highway Patrolmen walked the downtown streets early in the evening in pairs. They appeared eager to talk to young people who, in small groups, paraded the area. 
The tone was one of serious conversation about the situation in Vietnam, and the world in general. Talking to the group on the Old Capitol steps, one patrolman observed " I guess he (President Nixon) did what he thought people wanted."
Two young men, meeting in the Pentacrest, exemplified what appeared to be the feeling Wednesday night. One shouted to the other, "Hey what are you doing tonight?" The other replied, "Man I'm going home to bed."
The Highway Patrol continued a "saturation" auto patrol of the downtown as they have done since last Thursday's melee. However, the scene was calm and the foot patrol was called in at about 9:30 p.m. 
Hats off, the patrolmen, driving among other vehicles representing city, county and UI law enforcement units, drove slowly through the streets. Most appeared to be sitting in their cars, carefully, but casually checking the scene. Occasionally, a stifled yawn was seen as the patrol's tour lengthened. 
Casual or not, the highway patrol will be staying in Iowa City tonight and the Emergency Operations Board will remain in effect. 
The decision to stay in Iowa City, Robert Holetz of the State Department of Public Safety said, is made on a day to day basis. 
Col. Howard Miller has decided to remove 30 patrolmen from Iowa City so they can go back to their regular duties. Even so, the entire 400 man patrol force has been placed on alert.
In an effort to curb further disturbances, Willard Boyd, University of Iowa president, urged students today to prepare for final examinations. He said:
" I can readily understand the desire to speak personally to one's representatives in Congress.... on an issue as pressing and as frustrating as this nation's military posture in Vietnam.
"It is important, however for
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the benefit of all students that we adhere to the published calendar."
Students from Hillcrest Dormitory began passing out leaflets late Wednesday calling for a 7:30 protest tonight. 
About 130 students and townspeople met in front of the Post Office at about 6 a.m. today for a two hour vigil. The protest was times to coincide with the arming of mines planted in the Haiphong harbor. The protest ended about 8 a.m.
An hour and a half later, several cars left for Des Moines filled with people planning to participated in a demonstration today at the Statehouse. 
Another "Caravan for Peace" is scheduled to leave for Washington D.C. May 18 to be in Washington May 20. The Washington protest, called by the National Student Lobby, will hopefully be a coordinated effort by universities and colleges around the country.

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P.C 5/11/72 Talk Replaces Demonstrations It was talk rather than demonstrations Wednesday night as authorities continued heavy patrol of downtown Iowa city. Although a small group, a dozen or so persons gathered on the steps of Old Capitol early in the evening, most were gone by 10:30 p,m. One of them commented "It just goes to show how interested (in the Haiphong harbor mining) people are - last night 3,000 demonstrators tonight nobody." Iowa Highway Patrolmen walked the downtown streets early in the evening in pairs. They appeared eager to talk to young people who, in small groups, paraded the area. The tone was one of serious conversation about the situation in Vietnam, and the world in general. Talking to the group on the Old Capitol steps, one patrolman observed " I guess he (President Nixon) did what he thought people wanted." Two young men, meeting in the Pentacrest, exemplified what appeared to be the feeling Wednesday night. One shouted to the other, "Hey what are you doing tonight?" The other replied, "Man I'm going home to bed." The Highway Patrol continued a "saturation" auto patrol of the downtown as they have done since last Thursday's melee. However, the scene was calm and the foot patrol was called in at about 9:30 p.m. Hats off, the patrolmen, driving among other vehicles representing city, county and UI law enforcement units, drove slowly through the streets. Most appeared to be sitting in their cars, carefully, but casually checking the scene. Occasionally, a stifled yawn was seen as the patrol's tour lengthened. Casual or not, the highway patrol will be staying in Iowa City tonight and the Emergency Operations Board will remain in effect. The decision to stay in Iowa City, Robert Holetz of the State Department of Public Safety said, is made on a day to day basis. Col. Howard Miller has decided to remove 30 patrolmen from Iowa City so they can go back to their regular duties. Even so, the entire 400 man patrol force has been placed on alert. In an effort to curb further disturbances, Willard Boyd, University of Iowa president, urged students today to prepare for final examinations. He said: " I can readily understand the desire to speak personally to one's representatives in Congress.... on an issue as pressing and as frustrating as this nation's military posture in Vietnam. "It is important, however for PROTESTS Turn to Page 2A PROTESTS From Page 1A the benefit of all students that we adhere to the published calendar." Students from Hillcrest Dormitory began passing out leaflets late Wednesday calling for a 7:30 protest tonight. About 130 students and townspeople met in front of the Post Office at about 6 a.m. today for a two hour vigil. The protest was times to coincide with the arming of mines planted in the Haiphong harbor. The protest ended about 8 a.m. An hour and a half later, several cars left for Des Moines filled with people planning to participated in a demonstration today at the Statehouse. Another "Caravan for Peace" is scheduled to leave for Washington D.C. May 18 to be in Washington May 20. The Washington protest, called by the National Student Lobby, will hopefully be a coordinated effort by universities and colleges around the country.