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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967

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24 - Iowa City Press-Citizen - Thurs, Oct. 21, 1963

UI Student Burns Draft Card In Protest of Viet Nam Policy

Film cameras whirred and flashbulbs popped Wednesday afternoon when University of Iowa sophomore Steve Smith burned what he said was his draft card before an alerted audience of about 100 students at the Memorial Union.
The FBI, although informed in advance, had no agents present. But they were at work Thursday investigating the circumstances which could sent the 20-year-old engineering student to prison.
There was both applause and heckling when Smith put a lighter to the card with denunciation of the U.S. policy in Viet Nam.
The youth's father, Frank Smith, who operates a shop store at Marion, Iowa, lost an eye and was partly disabled in an accident aboard his ship in World War II. He was a petty officer in the Navy.
"I'm just sick about the whole thing," said the elder Smith. "I have no sympathy for the boy in this matter."
The youth said he considered his act one of civil disobedience against the new Aug. 30 federal law making deliberate destruction of a draft card punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
"I am ready to serve five years for my country," he told the gathering at a "Soap Box Sound-off," a weekly campus event open to virtually any subject.
The youth, also a civil rights worker, spread the word about the campus of what he intended to do but said he did not tell his parents in advance.
He has three brothers who do not support his pacifist views. Nile Smith, 27, is stationed with the Air Force at Thailand. Kenny, 27, was an Iowa National Guardsman. Keith, 29, works for Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids, which has defense contracts.
The elder Smith said he agreed with Steve's work in the civil rights movement but added, "I completely disagree with him in this matter. I can't understand it."
"I'm no hero but I think all the boys over there should be backed up at home," he said.
"Defiance of law is never an action to be commended," said Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the university College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 
In Des Moines U.S. Dist. Atty. Donald M. Statton said evidence gathered by federal agents will be submitted to the grand jury. 
Young Smith said he consulted an Iowa City lawyer but the attorney would not take teh case.
The youth is a member of a group called Students for a Democratic Society. He did civil rights work int he South and alst March participated in an eight-day strike in front of the Iowa City Post Office to collect funds for the work.

[Photo Caption] University of Iowa senior Steve Smith burns what he said was his draft card Wednesday afternoon in protest against U.S. involvement in Viet Nam. He burned it at the Memorial Union during Soapbox Soundoff, a UI activity held weekly at which students may voice their opinion on almost any subject.

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24 - Iowa City Press-Citizen - Thurs, Oct. 21, 1963 UI Student Burns Draft Card In Protest of Viet Nam Policy Film cameras whirred and flashbulbs popped Wednesday afternoon when University of Iowa sophomore Steve Smith burned what he said was his draft card before an alerted audience of about 100 students at the Memorial Union. The FBI, although informed in advance, had no agents present. But they were at work Thursday investigating the circumstances which could sent the 20-year-old engineering student to prison. There was both applause and heckling when Smith put a lighter to the card with denunciation of the U.S. policy in Viet Nam. The youth's father, Frank Smith, who operates a shop store at Marion, Iowa, lost an eye and was partly disabled in an accident aboard his ship in World War II. He was a petty officer in the Navy. "I'm just sick about the whole thing," said the elder Smith. "I have no sympathy for the boy in this matter." The youth said he considered his act one of civil disobedience against the new Aug. 30 federal law making deliberate destruction of a draft card punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. "I am ready to serve five years for my country," he told the gathering at a "Soap Box Sound-off," a weekly campus event open to virtually any subject. The youth, also a civil rights worker, spread the word about the campus of what he intended to do but said he did not tell his parents in advance. He has three brothers who do not support his pacifist views. Nile Smith, 27, is stationed with the Air Force at Thailand. Kenny, 27, was an Iowa National Guardsman. Keith, 29, works for Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids, which has defense contracts. The elder Smith said he agreed with Steve's work in the civil rights movement but added, "I completely disagree with him in this matter. I can't understand it." "I'm no hero but I think all the boys over there should be backed up at home," he said. "Defiance of law is never an action to be commended," said Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the university College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In Des Moines U.S. Dist. Atty. Donald M. Statton said evidence gathered by federal agents will be submitted to the grand jury. Young Smith said he consulted an Iowa City lawyer but the attorney would not take teh case. The youth is a member of a group called Students for a Democratic Society. He did civil rights work int he South and alst March participated in an eight-day strike in front of the Iowa City Post Office to collect funds for the work. [Photo Caption] University of Iowa senior Steve Smith burns what he said was his draft card Wednesday afternoon in protest against U.S. involvement in Viet Nam. He burned it at the Memorial Union during Soapbox Soundoff, a UI activity held weekly at which students may voice their opinion on almost any subject.