Opposition to the War: Kent State University Shootings

On May 4, 1970, anger with the government ran high as students at Kent State University in Ohio protested against the U.S.’s invasion of Cambodia as part of the Vietnam War. The Ohio State Guard was called in to handle the situation. Tear gas was used on protestors, and rifles were later used, firing over 60 shots into the crowds of protesters. 4 students were killed, and 5 were injured. The event triggered mass hostility towards the actions of the United States in Cambodia across the country.

Nowadays, many Americans commemorate the anniversary of the Kent State Massacre on May 4th. Students at universities across the country, such as UCLA and Columbia, have protested the U.S. government by establishing encampments in solidarity with Palestine. They aim to persuade schools to divest from financial contributors connected to the destruction of homes and deaths in the Gaza Strip. These significant gatherings today reflect Americans' opposition to foreign involvement and echo the legacy of the Kent State protests.