Kent State University: May 4, 1970

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, on May 4, 1970, when the National Guardsmen opened fire on a crowd of student anti-war protesters at Ohio's Kent State University, resulting in the death of four students and the wounding of eight more, there was a major violation of the First Amendment. The author points out that the shooting incident violated two parts of the First Amendment: The freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble. The paper relates that the most important question in understanding the events of May 4 is: Why did members of the Guard fire into a crowd of unarmed students? The paper gives us a choice: (1) The guardsmen fired in self-defense, and the shootings were therefore justified, or (2) the guardsmen were not in immediate danger and, therefore, the shootings were unjustified.

Table of Contents
Introduction
History
The Facts
Why Was the Ohio National Guard Called to Kent?
What Happened on the Kent State University Campus on Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3 after the Guards Arrived on Campus?
What Type of Rally Was Held at Noon on May 4?
Who Made the Decision to Ban the Rally of May 4?
What Events Led Directly to the Shootings?
Deaths and Injuries
Why Did the Guardsmen Fire?
The First Amendment
Violation of Students Rights
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"People die every day from diseases, hunger, murderers, suicide and cold-hearted people. On May 4, 1970 four students at Kent Sate University were unnecessarily shot and killed by members of the National Guard in a the middle of a student protest against the Vietnam War. Four days before this tragic event President Nixon told our country that American soldier were being sent into Cambodia to eliminate Communist sanctuaries. After the news reached the American public large amounts of protests started all over the nation against our soldiers even going to Vietnam for fear of our country making the war bigger then it already was. The next day an estimated five hundred students gathered in the school commons for a gentle student rally with the belief that President Nixon violated the U.S. Constitution by not letting our congress vote on whether or not we should send troops into Cambodia. The students proceeded to symbolize their belief that our President cheated the Constitution by burying a copy of the Constitution and standing strong behind their feelings that Nixon was indeed wrong."

More papers on Kent State University: May 4, 1970:

• Research Paper # 50479 : "The Kent State Shootings"
• Descriptive Essay # 107009 : "Policy Making at California State University"
• Essay # 18748 : "Kent State Student Shootings"

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