'We'll never forget': Hundreds gather to commemorate May 4 shootings at Kent State
At 12:24 p.m., a crowd of several hundred people gathered on Kent State's campus in silence as John Cleary rang the Victory Bell in commemoration of 55 years since the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of students protesting against the Vietnam War.
On May 4, 1970, four students lost their lives, and Cleary and eight others were wounded, after demonstrations against the war began May 1.
Events in remembrance of the tragedy were held all weekend, including a walking tour of the campus and memorials, a screening of the film 'Fire in the Heartland,' and a candlelight walk and vigil.
Alumnus and New Mexico resident Ken Hammond has attended the memorial every year since 1970. Hammond is part of the Kent 25, a group of 24 students and one faculty member indicted on charges connected to the May 4 events.
'Something like that, it changes your life. There was a day that we lived through we'll never forget, and we love the people that we were here with,' Hammond says. 'This is a rare chance to come and see people and just be here. This place will always be extraordinary, and we need that attitude today more than we have for a long time.'
At the annual commemoration on the same grounds of the event 55 years ago, crowds overflowed the tent with survivors, community members and students as university administration, faculty members and student leaders gave remarks about the day.
Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, spoke to the crowds on what the 1970 events have taught him, and asked for action against Ohio's Senate Bill 1. The sweeping higher education overhaul eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion on campus, prevents faculty from striking and prohibits universities from weighing in on controversial topics.
'If you can hear my voice, wake up,' Grimes said during his speech. 'They want to divide us. They want to keep us quiet. But now is the time to break that silence.'
For Grimes, the bravery of the protestors left a lasting impression he hopes to instill in others.
'My biggest takeaway is even in the adversity and in the face of sudden death, students still had the drive to fight for what they believe in knowing that the National Guard is right there, they're there with guns, but I'm still not going to back down. I'm still not going to stop doing what I believe in. That's huge to me,' he said. 'And I feel like a lot of people that are younger, or even in this generation are being met with the fate of things like SB1and need to realize it's time to take risks.'
Roseann 'Chic' Canfora, chair of the May 4 Presidential Advisory and May 4 Commemoration Committee, reflected on the efforts being made by the university to continue to remember the events of that day.
'Kent State continues to model for the world the role of a university still healing from its wounds,' Canfora said, 'and nowhere is that more evident than in the leadership and conflict management training happening here and across the region, as our School of Peace and Conflict studies engages actively with college and high school students in reflecting on activism, civic responsibility and social justice in very real and practical ways, whether through art, education or leadership.'
President Todd Diacon spoke to the struggles of the political landscape and the challenges that has brought to the university while reflecting on what the May 4 events represent.
'Even though I am anxious about what is happening today, I am driven to influence what I can influence because of our core values via this commemoration and via our policies and procedures,' Diacon said in his remarks. 'We will continue to promote kindness and respect and the value not only of learning, but also the value of learning to get along with people who disagree with us.
'This is the Kent State way.'
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hundreds commemorate May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State University
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