The U.S. presence in Vietnam sparked a storm of protests at college campuses across the country. One of the best known protests occurred at Kent State University, Ohio, May 4, 1970. Four students were killed and nine others were wounded. There were other protests at many colleges across the country. Melissa Fitzwater recalls that time.
Chris Walters
I graduated from high school in 1969. My parents forced me to go to college. I attended Baypath College which was near Springfield College and UMass (Amherst). I got involved with the anti-Vietnam war group. My boyfriend was in Vietnam fighting the war.
On the same day the Kent State Massacre occurred, there was a protest at Springfield College. I was one of the protesters. There were people from everywhere. We were marching through Springfield, Mass, and it got out of control. The police were called in to regain control. I ran for all I was worth to avoid the police. There were cops everywhere, arresting anybody they could get their hands on that had a black armband on. Of course, I had one on and did not want to be arrested. The black armbands indicated that we were against what Vietnam (war) stood for. We didn't believe that the United States had any right in being there, nevermind to send our people over there to die.
I was not arrested. I was one of the fortunate ones. I can remember going around corners and down alleys to avoid police. Finally, I was so tired, I just curled up in a ball, hugging a brick wall and cried until it was dark. I waited until it was dark and I was safe from the police, then I got up and went back to my dorm.
Melissa Fitzwater
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