DIY History | Transcribe | Social Justice | Student protests, 1972-1973 | 1972-05-15 Daily Iowan Article: ""Highway Patrol less tolerant before leaving""

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Student protests, 1972-1973

1972-05-15 Daily Iowan Article: ""Highway Patrol less tolerant before leaving""

Highway Patrol less tolerant before leaving. 

5/15/72

By LARRY HITT 
Daily Iowan Staff Writer
Before they left Iowa City Saturday, the Iowa Highway Patrolmen employed rigid tactics Friday night which, one way or another, dispersed small crowds and effectively kept students off the Pentacrest. 
The patrol, in a manner which was noticeably less tolerant Friday night than it had seemed earlier in the week, ordered protestors and bystanders off the Pentacrest about 9:29 p.m. after a crowd of some 200 had marched to the east side dormitories and back to the Pentacrest. 
When the small crowd marched north on Clinton Street heading for the dormitories. 40 Highway Patrolmen followed less than six feet behind it until they met another police line at the northwest edge of the Pentacrest. 
Running, chasing and hitting protestors with riot sticks about 80 state police cleared the Pentacrest area, after an officer ordered the crowd to disperse. 
Once the Pentacrest was secured by the police, the troopers moved along downtown streets, dispersing every small crowd. 
Seven persons were arrested during the evening which began with 40 Highway Patrolmen in riot gear, blocking the steps of Old Capitol 
Two officers in front of the police line refused to say who had ordered them to block the Old Capitol. 

University of Iowa Vice Provost Philip G. Hubbard said Sunday that the order to clear the Pentacrest came from the police, but he doesn't "remember who was in charge"
He said the order was made "under the authority of the governor, because the Emergency Operations Board (EOB) had been activated."
The existance of the EOBm which was deactivated Saturday morning, meant that "we were under the control of the police," Hubbard said. 
When asked if UI Pres, Willard L. Boyd had any control over decisions to clear the campus while the EOB was in effect, Hubbard said "no, but he can make recommendations" The board was in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday until 10 a.m. Saturday. 
Hubbard added that the decision to clear the campus Friday night was not connected to Boyd's recent edict that the university would no longer schedule outdoor activities.
Boyd could not be reached for comment. Although Highway Patrolmen left the city Saturday, officials said the officers would remain " on 24 hour alert."
Rallies planned for Saturday and Sunday did not materialize, as rain fell during the weekend. 
One person was arrested on Clinton Street, a block and a half from the Pentacrest, about five minutes after a Highway Patrolman told him that he would be arrested if he was seen on the Pentacrest again that evening. At the time of his arrest, he was standing with two friends talking.
Another person who was arrested was told that he wore a white head band, and the arresting officer had seen "someone with a white head band on the Pentacrest earlier."
A Daily Iowan reporter was nearly struck with a club by a patrolman who said he "didn't care" if the person was a member of the press. 
Friday night also saw a number of skirmishes between UI students and local high school age youths, three of whom were arrested early Saturday morning on charges of assault and battery. 
Thomas Crowley, Iowa City juvenile officer, said on group of 20 youths was waiting for protestors to come through the north section of the city and had stockpiled rocks and homemade brass knuckles. 
Names of the juveniles arrested were not released. 
The five persons that were charged with disorderly conduct were Jeff L. Cox, 118 Hillcrest; Edward J. Bolden. 1130 Rienow II, Rodney P. Miller, W207 Hillcrest; Steve J. Henerly, 1143 Rienow II; and Larry R. Norby, 905 East Burlington Street. 
William G. Monohan. Jr., 641 Rienow II and Jay Honeycutt, Toledo, were charged with criminal tresspass.

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Highway Patrol less tolerant before leaving. 5/15/72 By LARRY HITT Daily Iowan Staff Writer Before they left Iowa City Saturday, the Iowa Highway Patrolmen employed rigid tactics Friday night which, one way or another, dispersed small crowds and effectively kept students off the Pentacrest. The patrol, in a manner which was noticeably less tolerant Friday night than it had seemed earlier in the week, ordered protestors and bystanders off the Pentacrest about 9:29 p.m. after a crowd of some 200 had marched to the east side dormitories and back to the Pentacrest. When the small crowd marched north on Clinton Street heading for the dormitories. 40 Highway Patrolmen followed less than six feet behind it until they met another police line at the northwest edge of the Pentacrest. Running, chasing and hitting protestors with riot sticks about 80 state police cleared the Pentacrest area, after an officer ordered the crowd to disperse. Once the Pentacrest was secured by the police, the troopers moved along downtown streets, dispersing every small crowd. Seven persons were arrested during the evening which began with 40 Highway Patrolmen in riot gear, blocking the steps of Old Capitol Two officers in front of the police line refused to say who had ordered them to block the Old Capitol. University of Iowa Vice Provost Philip G. Hubbard said Sunday that the order to clear the Pentacrest came from the police, but he doesn't "remember who was in charge" He said the order was made "under the authority of the governor, because the Emergency Operations Board (EOB) had been activated." The existance of the EOBm which was deactivated Saturday morning, meant that "we were under the control of the police," Hubbard said. When asked if UI Pres, Willard L. Boyd had any control over decisions to clear the campus while the EOB was in effect, Hubbard said "no, but he can make recommendations" The board was in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday until 10 a.m. Saturday. Hubbard added that the decision to clear the campus Friday night was not connected to Boyd's recent edict that the university would no longer schedule outdoor activities. Boyd could not be reached for comment. Although Highway Patrolmen left the city Saturday, officials said the officers would remain " on 24 hour alert." Rallies planned for Saturday and Sunday did not materialize, as rain fell during the weekend. One person was arrested on Clinton Street, a block and a half from the Pentacrest, about five minutes after a Highway Patrolman told him that he would be arrested if he was seen on the Pentacrest again that evening. At the time of his arrest, he was standing with two friends talking. Another person who was arrested was told that he wore a white head band, and the arresting officer had seen "someone with a white head band on the Pentacrest earlier." A Daily Iowan reporter was nearly struck with a club by a patrolman who said he "didn't care" if the person was a member of the press. Friday night also saw a number of skirmishes between UI students and local high school age youths, three of whom were arrested early Saturday morning on charges of assault and battery. Thomas Crowley, Iowa City juvenile officer, said on group of 20 youths was waiting for protestors to come through the north section of the city and had stockpiled rocks and homemade brass knuckles. Names of the juveniles arrested were not released. The five persons that were charged with disorderly conduct were Jeff L. Cox, 118 Hillcrest; Edward J. Bolden. 1130 Rienow II, Rodney P. Miller, W207 Hillcrest; Steve J. Henerly, 1143 Rienow II; and Larry R. Norby, 905 East Burlington Street. William G. Monohan. Jr., 641 Rienow II and Jay Honeycutt, Toledo, were charged with criminal tresspass.