A Campus and a War: Michigan State University and Vietnam Exhibit: Vietnam Moratorium

On October 15, 1969, the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam was held across the nation. An estimated two million people participated, making it one of the largest demonstrations in American history. At MSU, an estimated 8,000 people, including students, faculty, administrators, town folks and bystanders, marched more than a mile from the Auditorium to Grand River Avenue, through Frandor, and down Michigan Avenue to the steps of the Michigan Capitol building. Even though classes were not cancelled, the Academic Council passed a resolution that both faculty and students be able to attend the moratorium events without fear of punishment, so classes were considered optional for the day. And the demonstration was more than just a march. It was an all-day event with teach-ins at the Fairchild Theatre in the morning that included sessions with MSU professors and Provost John Cantlon. From 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., a rally was held at the Auditorium with speakers Acting MSU President Walter Adams, Congressman Donald Riegle (R-MI) and Senator Philip Hart (D-MI). At 1:00 p.m., the peace walk to the State Capitol left from the Auditorium. Walking ten abreast, the march was led by Adams, carrying a small American flag, linked arm-in-arm with State Representative Jackie Vaughn III and Josephine Martin, wife of MSU Trustee Dr. Blanche Martin. Other leaders of the march included members of the student government, state legislators and the chairman of the Board of Trustees. Students marched with flags, a giant styrofoam peace symbol, homemade signs and a mock coffin to represent the lives lost in the Vietnam war. At the Capitol, speakers included State Senator Coleman Young, State Representative Jackie Vaughn III, State Senator Basil Brown, future MSU professor of Criminal Justice Zolton Ferency, and Josephine Martin. In the evening, the students attended a rock concert held in the Union Ballroom sponsored by the student government and the rock band, The Street Corner Society performed “The Peace People.” The Vietnam moratorium at MSU was a success in that everything was well organized by the students and no disruptions or incidents occurred throughout the day. The moratorium did not end the war, but it highlighted how many Americans were against the war.