As Kent State University prepares to mark the 54th anniversary of the shooting of anti-Vietnam War protesters on its campus, universities are facing challenges in dealing with present-day pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The memory of the May 4, 1970, crackdown on anti-war protesters by the Ohio National Guard weighs heavily on school administrators today. Many have been hesitant to use police force to remove protesters breaking rules or blocking students due to the fear of a situation escalating beyond their control.
While some universities like Columbia have allowed police to regain control after weeks of protest, others like George Washington University have implemented half-hearted measures. Schools like Rutgers, University of Minnesota, Northwestern, and Brown have even given in to protesters’ demands.
In contrast, conservative states like Texas have taken a more aggressive approach, with clashes between protesters and school police supported by state officers. The differing responses from schools, especially those involving heavy police presence, have drawn parallels to the events at Kent State.
The protests at Kent State in 1970 began in response to President Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The protests turned violent, leading to clashes with authorities and the tragic shooting of protesters by the National Guard.
On the upcoming anniversary, Kent State plans to commemorate the incident and remember those who were injured or killed. The chairwoman of the commemoration committee emphasized the importance of making the event meaningful for current students.
The response of schools to modern protests has been criticized for being lackluster. Some observers believe that administrators’ reluctance to use police force is influenced by the specter of Kent State and their political alignment with protesters.
The complacency from schools, motivated by viewpoint discrimination, has led to negotiations with protesters and a failure to enforce rules consistently. The lack of early action to maintain order has increased the risk of clashes with authorities.
In conclusion, colleges are facing a crisis of credibility as they struggle to navigate protests on campus. The failure to enforce rules consistently and address unrest promptly has increased the risk of confrontations and created a dangerous situation for all parties involved.
