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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967
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The Daily Iowan OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENT PAGE 2 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1967 IOWA CITY , IOWA Riley's actions unfortunate This page has been filled for the past few days with criticisms, compliments and suggestions concerning the antiwar demonstration held at the Union on Wednesday. A few more of each are in order. It was indeed unfortunate that State Sen. Tom Riley (R-Cedar Rapids) took advantage of this most deplorable situation to gather votes for a possible bid for the Republican nomination for governor. It is obvious that a majority of Iowa citizens will praise Riley's actions in single-handedly attempting to stop what he referred to as a riot. But is is also apparent that a majority of Iowans have so many preconceived notions of anyone who protests anything that they will fail to understand the situation and to see it in perspective. Riley was virtually taking the law into his own hands - something the students were warned against all day. Perhaps some good did come of Riley's actions however. The counter demonstrators were becoming increasingly belligerent and the situation might well have turned into a riot. For a period of time Riley was the center of attention and partially overshadowed the protesters on the Union steps. During this time the police were able to assemble just before going in to make arrests. This should not alter the fact that Riley was awry in using the situation to make political hay. Philip G. Hubbard. dean of academic affairs, William L. Boyd University vice president and academic dean, and Campus Security Chief John H. Hanna are to be commended, if for nothing else, for their courage in being between the demonstrators and counter demonstrators. Although all University officials were rightfully concerned about the situation, it was encouraging to see these men actually making themselves physically present. Hubbard and Boyd tried, but to no avail, to clam the tensions that had been building throughout the morning. Although Hanna and the Campus Security Department have been criticized by many previously, it should be remembered that they do not have the power to arrest, and without this power it could have been unfortunate if they had moved in and uncontrollable violence had broken out. At least Hanna showed his regard for the situation by being there, even though he had few, if any, actual police powers. City Manager Frank Smiley took an active lead when the police finally moved in to make arrests The responsibilities placed on his shoulders, in light of the University's slowness in officially responding to the situation were grave and he and his forces acted quickly, smoothly and quietly, - much to their credit. The protesters are also to be congratulated for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the day. It is perhaps overly redudant, but once again everyone must be reminded that few people would deny them their right to protest as long as their protest is kept within the bounds of the law. It should also be remembered that when the law is bring broken it is the duty of properly authorized law enforcement officials to deal with the violators. It is not the responsibility of students, the general public or state senators to decide what action should be taken in dealing with law violators. The demonstrators have implied probably erroneously, that the University, in offering its placement office for us by Marine recruiters is automatically supporting the U.S. position in the Vietnam war. Whether or not this is true is beside the point. The demonstrators would protest the Marine recruiters - and more than likely, any branch of the armed services now or in the future, - whether they recruited at the Union, at the Post Office or at the city dump. Because of this, and because of the University's seeming inability in handling the situation, it can be legitimately be suggested that future recruiting activities by members of the armed forces be held in the Iowa City Post Office building where armed forces information is always available anyway. If this change would be put into effect for the future, it would take the entire situation out of University jurisdiction and place it in the lap of the city. After all it was the city which took final action in the University's problem on Wednesday - Don Yager
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The Daily Iowan OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENT PAGE 2 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1967 IOWA CITY , IOWA Riley's actions unfortunate This page has been filled for the past few days with criticisms, compliments and suggestions concerning the antiwar demonstration held at the Union on Wednesday. A few more of each are in order. It was indeed unfortunate that State Sen. Tom Riley (R-Cedar Rapids) took advantage of this most deplorable situation to gather votes for a possible bid for the Republican nomination for governor. It is obvious that a majority of Iowa citizens will praise Riley's actions in single-handedly attempting to stop what he referred to as a riot. But is is also apparent that a majority of Iowans have so many preconceived notions of anyone who protests anything that they will fail to understand the situation and to see it in perspective. Riley was virtually taking the law into his own hands - something the students were warned against all day. Perhaps some good did come of Riley's actions however. The counter demonstrators were becoming increasingly belligerent and the situation might well have turned into a riot. For a period of time Riley was the center of attention and partially overshadowed the protesters on the Union steps. During this time the police were able to assemble just before going in to make arrests. This should not alter the fact that Riley was awry in using the situation to make political hay. Philip G. Hubbard. dean of academic affairs, William L. Boyd University vice president and academic dean, and Campus Security Chief John H. Hanna are to be commended, if for nothing else, for their courage in being between the demonstrators and counter demonstrators. Although all University officials were rightfully concerned about the situation, it was encouraging to see these men actually making themselves physically present. Hubbard and Boyd tried, but to no avail, to clam the tensions that had been building throughout the morning. Although Hanna and the Campus Security Department have been criticized by many previously, it should be remembered that they do not have the power to arrest, and without this power it could have been unfortunate if they had moved in and uncontrollable violence had broken out. At least Hanna showed his regard for the situation by being there, even though he had few, if any, actual police powers. City Manager Frank Smiley took an active lead when the police finally moved in to make arrests The responsibilities placed on his shoulders, in light of the University's slowness in officially responding to the situation were grave and he and his forces acted quickly, smoothly and quietly, - much to their credit. The protesters are also to be congratulated for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the day. It is perhaps overly redudant, but once again everyone must be reminded that few people would deny them their right to protest as long as their protest is kept within the bounds of the law. It should also be remembered that when the law is bring broken it is the duty of properly authorized law enforcement officials to deal with the violators. It is not the responsibility of students, the general public or state senators to decide what action should be taken in dealing with law violators. The demonstrators have implied probably erroneously, that the University, in offering its placement office for us by Marine recruiters is automatically supporting the U.S. position in the Vietnam war. Whether or not this is true is beside the point. The demonstrators would protest the Marine recruiters - and more than likely, any branch of the armed services now or in the future, - whether they recruited at the Union, at the Post Office or at the city dump. Because of this, and because of the University's seeming inability in handling the situation, it can be legitimately be suggested that future recruiting activities by members of the armed forces be held in the Iowa City Post Office building where armed forces information is always available anyway. If this change would be put into effect for the future, it would take the entire situation out of University jurisdiction and place it in the lap of the city. After all it was the city which took final action in the University's problem on Wednesday - Don Yager
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