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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967
31858064848116_037-01
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[Handwritten] DI 11/18/67 p.1 (of 2) Students Picket CIA Interviewer By DAVE POLLEN Staff Writer Students scheduled for interviews with a Central Intelligence Agency recruiter Tuesday found that they weren't the only ones who were concerned about the CIA's recruiting plans. A group of about 30 students showed up at the interviews also, to protect the presence of the agency's recruiter who was on campus under the University's auspices. In a a letter sent to Pres. Howard R. Bowen and circulated around campus, protestors said "we feel that their presence in a business capacity this campus is a mockery of academic honesty. We believe the CIA had no place in " university community openly pursuing truth and objectivity.' " The letter asked that the President act to expel the recruiter, and said that until that happened they planned to obstruct the recruiter's activities. And so that's what they did. The group confronted the recruiter, Charles Pecinovsky, soon after he began his afternoon session of job interviews, in a temporary barracks next to Gilmore Hall used for such interviews. They told Pecinovsky that they did not want a "secret, violent, and dictatorial agency" on campus, and asked him to leave. Pecinovsky refused. But he did gather his papers and return to the office of Helen barnes, director of the Business and Industrial Placement office, to find a place to conduct his interviews that wasn't full of protestors. Miss Barnes offered her office, and blocked the door when protestors tried to follow Pecinovsky and an interviewee into the office. "You'll have to knock me down if you want to get by." she said. "Now get out or I'll call the police." "But our purpose here is to obstruct these interviews." one demonstrator said, "and we'll have to stay." The police were not called then, and the protestors did not leave. But Miss Barnes held her ground. The interview schedule was disrupted, although Pecinovsky said that all scheduled interviews were finally held. Miss barnes said the group could continue to protest, as long as the activities of her office were not disrupted. The protestors at one point sang, "I'm Glad I Bugged the CIA." THe leader of the protest was Everett Frost, G, North Coventry, Conn. During the course of the demonstration, Phil E. Connell, assistant to the President, told the protestors that although they had a right to protest, other students had the right to be interviewed, and that they would have to permit the interviews to continue. Interviewees entered and left the office with campus security officers at their sides. Officers used force at one time to help one student get into the office. Connell said that Bowen had seen the letter, but nevertheless regarded the CIA's presence as being no different than any other governmental agency or business that uses the Placement Office's Facilities. Bowen was not reached for comment. The protestors sat outside the office until the interviews ended at 5 p.m. They said that they would return today and would demonstrate as long as the CIA interviewer remained. Interviews are scheduled to continue through Friday, and Pecinovsky said the demonstrations would not affect his plans. He said the University was "most cooperative." Robert Hintz, A4, Rock Island, ILL., waited more than an hour before he was able to get his interview with Pecinovsky. He had to climb over furniture and protesters to enter.
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[Handwritten] DI 11/18/67 p.1 (of 2) Students Picket CIA Interviewer By DAVE POLLEN Staff Writer Students scheduled for interviews with a Central Intelligence Agency recruiter Tuesday found that they weren't the only ones who were concerned about the CIA's recruiting plans. A group of about 30 students showed up at the interviews also, to protect the presence of the agency's recruiter who was on campus under the University's auspices. In a a letter sent to Pres. Howard R. Bowen and circulated around campus, protestors said "we feel that their presence in a business capacity this campus is a mockery of academic honesty. We believe the CIA had no place in " university community openly pursuing truth and objectivity.' " The letter asked that the President act to expel the recruiter, and said that until that happened they planned to obstruct the recruiter's activities. And so that's what they did. The group confronted the recruiter, Charles Pecinovsky, soon after he began his afternoon session of job interviews, in a temporary barracks next to Gilmore Hall used for such interviews. They told Pecinovsky that they did not want a "secret, violent, and dictatorial agency" on campus, and asked him to leave. Pecinovsky refused. But he did gather his papers and return to the office of Helen barnes, director of the Business and Industrial Placement office, to find a place to conduct his interviews that wasn't full of protestors. Miss Barnes offered her office, and blocked the door when protestors tried to follow Pecinovsky and an interviewee into the office. "You'll have to knock me down if you want to get by." she said. "Now get out or I'll call the police." "But our purpose here is to obstruct these interviews." one demonstrator said, "and we'll have to stay." The police were not called then, and the protestors did not leave. But Miss Barnes held her ground. The interview schedule was disrupted, although Pecinovsky said that all scheduled interviews were finally held. Miss barnes said the group could continue to protest, as long as the activities of her office were not disrupted. The protestors at one point sang, "I'm Glad I Bugged the CIA." THe leader of the protest was Everett Frost, G, North Coventry, Conn. During the course of the demonstration, Phil E. Connell, assistant to the President, told the protestors that although they had a right to protest, other students had the right to be interviewed, and that they would have to permit the interviews to continue. Interviewees entered and left the office with campus security officers at their sides. Officers used force at one time to help one student get into the office. Connell said that Bowen had seen the letter, but nevertheless regarded the CIA's presence as being no different than any other governmental agency or business that uses the Placement Office's Facilities. Bowen was not reached for comment. The protestors sat outside the office until the interviews ended at 5 p.m. They said that they would return today and would demonstrate as long as the CIA interviewer remained. Interviews are scheduled to continue through Friday, and Pecinovsky said the demonstrations would not affect his plans. He said the University was "most cooperative." Robert Hintz, A4, Rock Island, ILL., waited more than an hour before he was able to get his interview with Pecinovsky. He had to climb over furniture and protesters to enter.
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