May 4th Shootings at Kent State
Interviews
=>Alan Canfora
=>Dr. Lewis
=>Dr.
Carole Barbato
=>Prof. Laura Davis
=>Joe
Lewis
Thursday April 30, 1970
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President -Richard Nixon announces to the nation that an "incursion" into Cambodia has been launched by the United States combat forces. |
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Friday May 1, 1970
- A massive demonstration was held on the commons.
- Protesters issued a call to "bring the war home."
500 students watched as a graduate student buried a copy of the U.S. Constitution.
- Around midnight bikers leaving a bar began to throw bottles at cars and store fronts. Students and out-of town youths mixed in with the crowd.
Saturday May 2, 1970
- Kent Mayor Leroy Satrom declared a state of emergency.
- Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes sent the National Guard to Kent State.
- The National Guard arrived; a large demonstration was already underway.
The campus Reserve Officer Training Corp building was set on fire.
- More than a thousand protesters cheered the building's burning.
- While extinguishing the fire, several Kent firemen and policemen were hit with rocks by the protesters.
- At 10:00pm a call for assistance went out. Many arrests were made, tear gas was used, and one student was wounded with a bayonet.
Sunday May 3,
1970
- Almost 1,000 National Guardsmen were on campus controlling the students.
- Governor Rhodes gave a conference calling protesters Un-American.
- 8:00pm- A rally was held on the campus commons.
- 8:45pm- Guards use tear gas to disperse the crowd. Students reassembled holding a sit-in hoping to meet with Mayor Satrom and President White.
- 11:00pm- Guard announced curfew had gone into effect; they began forcing students back to dorms.
- Ten guardsmen injured, and a few students bayoneted by guardsmen.
Monday May 4, 1970
- A protest was scheduled for noon.
- University officials attempt to ban it by handing out 12,000 leaflets stating that the event was canceled.
- 2,000 people gather on the commons.
- Just before noon, the crowd was ordered to disperse.
When they refused, the guard used tear gas.
- When the crowd did not disperse, 77 National Guard troops advanced on the protesters with bayonets fixed on their
weapons.
- As the Guardsmen advanced, the protesters retreated heading out of The Common area.
- Some of the guardsmen knelt and aimed their weapons toward protesting students in the parking lot.
- At 12:22pm, guardsmen abruptly turned and fired into the students.
- 29 of the 77 guardsmen claimed to have fired their weapons. A total of 67 bullets were fired in 13 seconds killing four students and wounding nine.
Tuesday May 5, 2007
- New evidence was uncovered that guardsmen were ordered to fire upon the crowd at Kent State.
- Terry Strubbe, a student, recorded thirty minutes of the events, A National Guardsman's voice can be heard saying "Right here! Get set! Point! Fire!"