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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967
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[handwritten] 12/7/67 p.2 (of 3) Bowen Explains Policy On Placement, Protest [handwritten] 12/7/67 Pres. Howard R. Bowen made the following statement Wednesday in regard to Tuesday's Dow protest: "Beginning last year when the first efforts were made to disrupt our placement services, the University has steadfastly pursued the policy that ll services of the University must be equally available to all students, and that all regular operations of the institution must continue without interruption. " This policy has been followed consistently - when necessary, with the assistance of the police. The University has imposed penalties on identifiable students who have broken University regulations, and it does not condone illegal or obstructive behavior. " At the same time, the University has attempted to be patient, remembering that the students concerned are mostly young men and women of high ideals who feel strongly about certain social issues. " Moreover, the University has been careful to avoid infringement on freedom of speech and thought, and to observe due process in all penalties. As a responsible institution of this society we can do no less, regardless of the circumstances. We have had to seek extraordinary cooperation from law enforcement officers in some of these instances, and we are grateful for their help under trying circumstances. " The number of students involved in the disturbances is less than one per cent of the student body. This group is augmented by a number of young men and women who are not students here. " The overwhelming majority of University students are concerned in various ways about the war and other social and political problems, but are not involved in the disturbances and are carrying on their work in a normal way. The University as a whole is enjoying a very productive year, a fact which the people of Iowa are entitled to know and which has perhaps been obscured by recent distractions." Demonstrators Visit Bowen President Howard R. Bowen opened his door to over 100 antiwar marchers Wednesday night for a "social visit " that turned into a verbal attack by the protesters on Bowen, the University, the police and the Johnson administration policies in Vietnam. Over 400 students began to gather on the lawn of the President's House at 6:30 p.m. when Bowen invited them in, smiling and shaking hands with some. The debate began when one student said, " You know very well we didn't come here for a little get-together." Another added, " We're here tonight because there is a war in Southeast Asia. Dow Chemical represents the most odious part of that war . . . We don't want Dow on our campus." " I deplore the war in Vietnam," Bowen said " I dislike war of any kind. There's no question that this is an unpopular war. " I think we would find close agreement on fundamental questions," he said. "There really isn't much difference of opinion." He explained that the real difference lay in what was the right way for students to express their opinions. " I've been disappointed many times with the democratic process. It's a long process," he said, but added that " we have to go through the legislative process. The only alternative is fascism." Mrs. Bowen, informally dressed in a skirt and sweater, offered fruitcake and coffee to the crowd, but most of the visitors left to join a crowd of 400 protesters in an orderly, uneventful parade to the Union that stretched for two blocks. No hecklers appeared during the march which by the request of a leader, John Randall Miller, A4, Cedar Rapid, stayed on the sidewalks because there was no parade permit.
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[handwritten] 12/7/67 p.2 (of 3) Bowen Explains Policy On Placement, Protest [handwritten] 12/7/67 Pres. Howard R. Bowen made the following statement Wednesday in regard to Tuesday's Dow protest: "Beginning last year when the first efforts were made to disrupt our placement services, the University has steadfastly pursued the policy that ll services of the University must be equally available to all students, and that all regular operations of the institution must continue without interruption. " This policy has been followed consistently - when necessary, with the assistance of the police. The University has imposed penalties on identifiable students who have broken University regulations, and it does not condone illegal or obstructive behavior. " At the same time, the University has attempted to be patient, remembering that the students concerned are mostly young men and women of high ideals who feel strongly about certain social issues. " Moreover, the University has been careful to avoid infringement on freedom of speech and thought, and to observe due process in all penalties. As a responsible institution of this society we can do no less, regardless of the circumstances. We have had to seek extraordinary cooperation from law enforcement officers in some of these instances, and we are grateful for their help under trying circumstances. " The number of students involved in the disturbances is less than one per cent of the student body. This group is augmented by a number of young men and women who are not students here. " The overwhelming majority of University students are concerned in various ways about the war and other social and political problems, but are not involved in the disturbances and are carrying on their work in a normal way. The University as a whole is enjoying a very productive year, a fact which the people of Iowa are entitled to know and which has perhaps been obscured by recent distractions." Demonstrators Visit Bowen President Howard R. Bowen opened his door to over 100 antiwar marchers Wednesday night for a "social visit " that turned into a verbal attack by the protesters on Bowen, the University, the police and the Johnson administration policies in Vietnam. Over 400 students began to gather on the lawn of the President's House at 6:30 p.m. when Bowen invited them in, smiling and shaking hands with some. The debate began when one student said, " You know very well we didn't come here for a little get-together." Another added, " We're here tonight because there is a war in Southeast Asia. Dow Chemical represents the most odious part of that war . . . We don't want Dow on our campus." " I deplore the war in Vietnam," Bowen said " I dislike war of any kind. There's no question that this is an unpopular war. " I think we would find close agreement on fundamental questions," he said. "There really isn't much difference of opinion." He explained that the real difference lay in what was the right way for students to express their opinions. " I've been disappointed many times with the democratic process. It's a long process," he said, but added that " we have to go through the legislative process. The only alternative is fascism." Mrs. Bowen, informally dressed in a skirt and sweater, offered fruitcake and coffee to the crowd, but most of the visitors left to join a crowd of 400 protesters in an orderly, uneventful parade to the Union that stretched for two blocks. No hecklers appeared during the march which by the request of a leader, John Randall Miller, A4, Cedar Rapid, stayed on the sidewalks because there was no parade permit.
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