Foreign policy march

"With President Sutton's consent, freshman Jody Lanard spoke at the outset of the Founders Day Convocation. She expressed displeasure with the expansion of the war and signaled a peaceful walkout of some 300 students," according to an IDS article. "President Sutton said that while he did not agree with Miss Lanard, he noted that 'at this University you can still make such a statement."

Later that afternoon, about 7,500 students marched peacefully from a rally in Dunn Meadow around campus under the direction of student marshalls to protest the war in Asia and oppression in America.

At the rally, the crowd called for a two-day strike, which was approved by the Student Senate, to mourn the deaths of four Kent State students.

During the walk, ten people carrying Viet Cong flags on eight-foot-poles were asked to take down the signs because the poles could be considered weapons.

A police car drove ahead of the marchers to clear vehicle traffic from the parade path.

"The situation is serious," Vice President Mike King said in an IDS article. "The people who run this country are willing to kill,slaughter, commit genocide and even destroy the whole world rather than give up one ounce of their power. We must turn this country around and take the power from the people who have usurped the power of the people, seize that power and return it to the people. And if we face death in the struggle, let our last words be 'All power to the people!'"

The next day, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. classes were canceled by Chancellor Byrum Carter to allow students and faculty to attend memorial services in the IU Auditorium for the Kent State students who died during a protest on their campus.

On May 13, pickets blocked entrances to the Bryan Administration Building and a chain was placed on the east entrance before a conference addressing the students demands in a May 1 rally.

In the address, Carter said he could not speak for the entire institution on matters of foreign policy because of the divergence of opinions, the ration of black students would probably equal or exceed the ration of blacks in Indiana by the fall of 1971, commitment of University money to the Bobby Seale defense fund would be illegal and a full report published at each Founders Day Convocation could be found any time in IU Foundation books.

That evening a group of several hundred people, including University staff members, visited Sutton's home to express support for him in "keeping the University open," according to the News Bureau.