A representative of Kent State University in Ohio has revoked permits for
a
peaceful rally and an anti-war conference planned for the May 3-4 weekend
on
the KSU campus. Organizers of the events vow that they will continue as
scheduled.
The Kent State Anti-War Committee (KSAWC) has been planning an anti-war
rally tentatively scheduled for this Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM following
the
annual May 4 commemoration which begins at noon. However, the Kent State
University (KSU) administration has felt it necessary to revoke the
permit
it had originally granted to KSAWC allowing the rally to take place on
Manchester Field. The university cites extremely vague concerns of
disturbance they believe will occur on May 4.
KSAWC will hold a press conference on the steps of the Memorial Athletic
Convention Center (MACC) Friday, May 2 at 11 AM to discuss the recent
events
regarding the May 4 anti-war rally.
May 4 is a National Day of Action called by Not in Our Name,
(
http://www.notinourname.net) an anti-war group dedicated to resisting
the
so-called "U.S. War on Terror." Kent State is the Midwest Regional
Convergence Point, but is not alone in encountering difficulties securing
permission to rally. New York City anti-war activists have similarly
been
denied a permit to peacefully assemble by city officials.
KSAWC finds inspiration in the determination of the anti-war movement of
the
1970's following the tragic shootings in Kent and Jackson State. In a
statement the group said, "We stand in solidarity with those that have
protested immoral and unjust wars throughout history and around the world
and we vow to not let our dissent be silenced!"
A anti-war conference that was being planned for May 3 on the KSU campus
has
also run into trouble. In a meeting with students a KSU representative
said
they are revoking permission to use KSU rooms that were reserved. The
"Throwing a Wrench in the Warmachine" conference, which was being iniated
by
the Federation of Radical Anarchist Collectives (FRAC), will include
workshops, discussions, debates, and movie showings.
The organizers have stated they intend to hold all events in spite of
recent
developments. The conference and rally will go on as scheduled.
A former KSU student has called for a boycott of KSU and strike in
response
to the university revoking permission for the scheduled events.
The events should not interfere with The 33rd Annual May 4, 1970
Commemoration which will also take place on the KSU campus this weekend.
The
commemoration honors the memory of the four students killed at Kent State
when a unit of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a demonstration
against the US war in Vietnam and the invasion of Cambodia, killing the
four
and wounding 9 others. The annual event also recognizes those killed at
Jackson State the same year.
More information about...
the rally go to
www.ksawc.org
the conference "Throwing a Wrench in the Warmachine" go to
www.burningriver.org/
the annual commemoration go to
dept.kent.edu/may4/33rd/33.htm
cleveland.indymedia.org
