PUCPR joins Kent State University’s 50th Commemoration of May 4 shootings
Jeffery Muller, one of the victims of the KSU Shootings (1971 Pulitzer prize winner photo by John Filo).
May 4th, 1970: students at Kent State University (KSU) were protesting peacefully against the invasion of Cambodja by American troops during the Vietnam War when the Ohio National Guard (USA) opened fire, killing four and wounding nine others, some of whom merely watching the protests or in transit to the next class. In 13 seconds, 67 shots were fired by approximately twenty-eight soldiers against the unarmed group of students. The impact of the tragedy sparked a series of student strikes of national proportions and ultimately changed the history of the war – and the country, forever.
In 2020, KSU launched a year-long series of events honoring the memory of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder, as well as nine other students who were wounded, therefore, May 4 became a time to celebrate their legacy: the importance of freedom of speech and social activism. Dr. Todd Diacon, President of KSU, explains that the May 4th reverberates still today in the memory and in the teachings of the university: “The shootings at Kent State are a seminal event in the history of the United States. From this act of violence on our campus fifty years ago we have learned the lessons of the importance of the freedom of speech, and the dangers of polarization and poisoned discourse.”
Celebrations
One of the most traditional activity of the annual celebrations related to the massacre is a walk and candlelight vigil; this year, KSU organized a virtual candlelight vigil due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the May 4, 50th Commemoration website includes a variety of special online videos, podcasts, exhibits and learning resources, retrieving historical materials and giving voice to the people who have been connected to the episode.
Kent State University is a major PUCPR international partner; thus, our community joins KSU in celebrating the memory and legacy of this critical historical moment. Professor Marcelo Távora Mira, Director of PUCPR International, points out that the lessons learned from the May 4th 1970 events reach far beyond any borders: “It is important to highlight KSU’s effort to keep the memory of this tragedy alive for what it really means in terms of defending freedom of speech and respecting other people’s opinions – especially those disagreeing with ours – at a time, in Brazil and around the world, that freedom and respect seem exceptionally necessary.”
“We have KSU in our hearts, our relationship is truly fraternal. Thus, we feel the impact of the May 4th events just as if the students killed and injured were our own”
Prof. Waldemiro Gremski, Rector of PUCPR.
Check out the special video below developed for the May 4, 50th Virtual Commemoration Program.
Site of the shootings on May 3rd, 2020 (Photo by Marcelo Mira).
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