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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 15, 1972)
f Editorials A good march Thursday night’s anti-war march was peaceful. That may sound like a rather simple statement, but when almost three thousand people take to the streets in protest there is a huge potential for violence— especially considering the reason for the protest. The peaceful nature of the march can be attributed to many factors. Leadership among the marchers was strong and the march was well planned. March marshalls were kept to a minimum and were unob trusive. The marchers were, for the most part, of one mind about how to conduct a march and things went smoothly. From the actions shown by the demonstrators, it is clear that there can be large and peaceful protest in Eugene. Especially significant, however, was the role of local police agencies in the march. The unnecessary harassment and force used Tuesday and Wednesday nights was absent on the whole. Police were generally unob trusive. Most of the credit for the change in police actions should be directed to Eugene Police Chief Dale Allen who took a stronger per sonal role Thursday night. The only confrontation situation which marred Thursday’s demonstration followed the march, when a splinter group camped in the intersection of 13th Ave. and Alder Street. While a sit-in is a viable form of protest, this was poorly planned—if at all—and executed. While some members of that group at tempted to discuss further protest activity, a majority—high school and junior high students—seemed more interested in beer and dope. Drunken bystanders didn’t help the situation either. Allen held back police units even after the demonstrators erected barricades and started a bonfire. And anyone who has been around last week should know that didn’t sit well with the sheriffs or the average patrolmen. Allen’s restraint eliminated the possibility of a useless confrontation. The difference between police actions on Wed nesday and Thursday night show how good organization and having the police chief on the scene can make a difference when it comes to protest in Eugene. Support needed While Thursday’s march was certainly the high point of anti-war activities, it should not mark the end of such activities. The war continues, Hanoi is evacuating and President Nixon has set up a dangerous confrontation with the Soviet Union. The protest should not end here. Support should be given for those who were arrested last week. A table has been set up on the EMU terrace to collect bail and projects are planned to raise money for legal fees. All of these activities are connected and they should receive support. ■■ — \ I Letters Deep concern As representatives of Latin America, we are appalled at the recent escalation of the military invasion of Vietnam by U.S. forces. Hereby we wish to express our deep concern for the great risks this act implies to world peace and we also wish to con demn the exploitative and aggressive relationship of the U.S. toward other less powerful countries (a situation which Latin America lias suffered time and again Guatemala: 1954, Cuba: 1961; Panama: 1964; Dominican Republic: 1965; (?): 19..). We feel in complete solidarity with the struggle of the Vietnamese people for national liberation against U.S. power. We admire their struggle which we consider the vanguard of liberation for the peoples of the Third World And, we respect the attitude of faculty and students in this community who courageously and persistently have condemned their own government’s position of genocide in Vietnam, even when they are being subject to various kinds of pressures and intimidations from sources we are all aware of At the same time, we are dismayed and frustrated at the silence and apathy of the majority of students and faculty of this University community. As it is, it would be impossible for us to return to our countries and speak with pride of our faculty and fellow students who have remained silent at a situation which demands an outright repudiation. Notwithstanding this present silence, we trust that the situation here will change for the better—that is, for a stronger movement that would force the political powers in this country to give heed to the voice of the people. I.atin American Student Association. Neglected concern Reflecting on the supposedly "anti-war” demonstrations, 1 would like to express a seemingly neglected concern. I support with all my heart an end to war, because war means the maiming and death of living things, including human beings. If only some of the demonstrators felt the same way, perhaps countless violent deaths could have been (or still can be) avoided. In the present North Vietnamese “in vasion” of South Vietnam, thousands upon thousands of human beings have been murdered. Some of these victims were civilians, others soldiers of different ar mies. But all of these bodies are lifeless. Thousands more (who are either “lucky” or "unfortunate”) will be maimed for the rest of their lives. And yet, as incredible as it may seem, from all the demonstrations, one would be led to conclude that only two countries, comprising part of one “side,” are in volved in this human slaughter! The North Vietnamese have evidently been given a license to kill anybody they want to! They are, after all, only trying to conquer another "country (or state, or district). "But.” cry the protestors, “it’s all one country.” The Central Highlands, populated by numerous Mountanard tribes, who are no relation to the Vietnamese (and who have the only true historical claim to this part of South Indochina) are morally part of North Vietnam"’ Same world perhaps, but not the same country. Historically, this area has been divided and redivided— today’s boundries have the same ' r tm: / h HEY, WAKE UP—WHERE ARE WE?' “legality” as many other questionable but internationally recognized boundries. However, I am not concerned about boundries, I am concerned about the tragic deaths which result from war. These deaths will stop when old men quit sending young men to kill or die or both, or when these men quit providing materials which are designed to violently take human life. Our protests should be directed towards all of these men. It shouldn’t need to be pointed out, but these old men are alive and untouched in Hanoi, China and Russia, as well as here and many other countires. Why haven’t we let them all know that we’re tired of this tragic anti-human madness? That is a petition I would sign, a thousand times. Sten Mawson Graduate, Public Affairs McGovern Street demonstrations are a legitimate method for drawing attention to anti-war sentiment Their organisers obviously hope to achieve more than that however. They want to directly influence the government and also to activate people with anti-war views who have previously remained silent. One must question whether street demonstrations are the best way to achieve these aims. Strong support for anti-war candidates would certainly achieve the first aim just as effectively. Since street marches almost always seem to involve some trashing the second and third aims will not only not be served but many potential supporters will be turned off. The Emerald reported that 700 people demonstrated for several hours on Tuesday evening Imagine how many townspeople could have been contacted in the same time by those same ptiple had they been out canvassing for George McGovern Now a bail fund has been started and will draw support away from the campaigns of the peace candidates The anti-war cause is the loser. It seems to me that we will now see a dichotomy: the sensation seekers will be out in the streets while the people who are serious about ending the war will be making sure that George McGovern is the next president McGovern will stop the war the war can be stopped David Macmillan Graduate student