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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967

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[handwritten] p. 2 (of 2)
DI 10/17/67

3 War Protesters Hand In Cards Following Rally

By TED HENRY
See Related Stories Page 6

CEDAR RAPIDS - Three Iowans turned in their draft cards to a U.S. marshall in Cedar Rapids Monday to protest the Vietnamese War and the Selective Service System.
Their action followed a rally attended by about 300 people Monday afternoon in Green Square.
Cards were turned in to U.S. Marshal C.H. Meek by Edward Hoffmans, 29, an English instructor at the University of Iowa from North Liberty, and Steve Morris, 24, an Air Force veteran working as an electronics technician in Iowa City.
As a result of their actions, they face the possibility of a $10,000 fine and five years imprisonment for failure to carry a draft card at all times.
The rally, which got under way about 2:15 p.m., was marked by a great many catcalls and other interruptions by persons who said they supported the Vietnamese war.
Mrs. Marie Vitek, an elderly Cedar Rapids woman, waved an American flag and shouted abuses at one of the protesters.
"You're not an America, you're a traitor," she yelled at him. She also accused the unidentified man of having a yellow streak and said she regretted that she did not have a son fighting in Vietnam.
A small group conducted a counter demonstration. Among the more vocal hecklers was Jack Watson, Cedar Rapids, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
During about two hours of loosely organized activity in the park, Ross Peterson, A3, Des Moines, said business leaders favor war for "personal gain."
Demonstrators passed out literature offering alternatives to the draft, and offered advice on avoiding it.
The protest was organized by the Iowa City Draft Resistors Union.
Marshal Meek said he would give other authorities the three turned-in draft cards for their handling of the case. No arrests were made.  

Nation Anthem Sung

Although the name calling and foul language never let up, most of the protesters were able to get their speeches across to those who were willing to listen.
Barnett had the most trouble trying to deliver a speech. Some persons in the audience shouted him down by singing the National Anthem in the middle of his speech. Barnett removed his hat until they finished and then went on with his speech.
Barnett called for a U.S. withdrawal from all of South East Asia. He said that he is against any Americans or Vietnamese dying there.
Steve Morris, dressed in the uniform of the Air Force, in which he served for 3 1/2 years, and wearing a hat with the slogan "Veterans for Peace in Vietnam," spoke after Barnett.
Morris said that the "only way to defend against an immoral and unjust war is with action." he added that President Johnson's verbal support for peace is a lie and simply protesting verbally against the war is ineffective.
Following speeches by other persons opposed to the war, Barnett read a statement prepared by Hoffmans, who did not arrive in Cedar Rapids until the rally was nearing an end.

"We're No Better"

Hoffmans' statement read in part: "If we Americans do not stop the mass killing of Vietnamese by our government, we are no better than the Germans who tolerated Hitler's massacre of Jews. And like Nazi Germany we shall eventually become victims of our own cruel folly. I would rather go to prison than allow myself to morally decay in a society that tolerates mass killing."
When the three men returned to Green Square after turning in their draft cards, they were met with cheers on the one hand and boos on the other. Before the rally broke up, Hoffmans led the protesters in singing "We Shall Overcome."

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[handwritten] p. 2 (of 2) DI 10/17/67 3 War Protesters Hand In Cards Following Rally By TED HENRY See Related Stories Page 6 CEDAR RAPIDS - Three Iowans turned in their draft cards to a U.S. marshall in Cedar Rapids Monday to protest the Vietnamese War and the Selective Service System. Their action followed a rally attended by about 300 people Monday afternoon in Green Square. Cards were turned in to U.S. Marshal C.H. Meek by Edward Hoffmans, 29, an English instructor at the University of Iowa from North Liberty, and Steve Morris, 24, an Air Force veteran working as an electronics technician in Iowa City. As a result of their actions, they face the possibility of a $10,000 fine and five years imprisonment for failure to carry a draft card at all times. The rally, which got under way about 2:15 p.m., was marked by a great many catcalls and other interruptions by persons who said they supported the Vietnamese war. Mrs. Marie Vitek, an elderly Cedar Rapids woman, waved an American flag and shouted abuses at one of the protesters. "You're not an America, you're a traitor," she yelled at him. She also accused the unidentified man of having a yellow streak and said she regretted that she did not have a son fighting in Vietnam. A small group conducted a counter demonstration. Among the more vocal hecklers was Jack Watson, Cedar Rapids, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During about two hours of loosely organized activity in the park, Ross Peterson, A3, Des Moines, said business leaders favor war for "personal gain." Demonstrators passed out literature offering alternatives to the draft, and offered advice on avoiding it. The protest was organized by the Iowa City Draft Resistors Union. Marshal Meek said he would give other authorities the three turned-in draft cards for their handling of the case. No arrests were made. Nation Anthem Sung Although the name calling and foul language never let up, most of the protesters were able to get their speeches across to those who were willing to listen. Barnett had the most trouble trying to deliver a speech. Some persons in the audience shouted him down by singing the National Anthem in the middle of his speech. Barnett removed his hat until they finished and then went on with his speech. Barnett called for a U.S. withdrawal from all of South East Asia. He said that he is against any Americans or Vietnamese dying there. Steve Morris, dressed in the uniform of the Air Force, in which he served for 3 1/2 years, and wearing a hat with the slogan "Veterans for Peace in Vietnam," spoke after Barnett. Morris said that the "only way to defend against an immoral and unjust war is with action." he added that President Johnson's verbal support for peace is a lie and simply protesting verbally against the war is ineffective. Following speeches by other persons opposed to the war, Barnett read a statement prepared by Hoffmans, who did not arrive in Cedar Rapids until the rally was nearing an end. "We're No Better" Hoffmans' statement read in part: "If we Americans do not stop the mass killing of Vietnamese by our government, we are no better than the Germans who tolerated Hitler's massacre of Jews. And like Nazi Germany we shall eventually become victims of our own cruel folly. I would rather go to prison than allow myself to morally decay in a society that tolerates mass killing." When the three men returned to Green Square after turning in their draft cards, they were met with cheers on the one hand and boos on the other. Before the rally broke up, Hoffmans led the protesters in singing "We Shall Overcome."