University of Virginia Library

Shannon Urges Prompt Action To End War

Students Vote On Referendum
Today To Decide Strike Issues

Photo By Andy Stickney

A Crowd Estimated At 4,000 Gathered On The Lawn To Hear President Shannon Speak

The President Called For Action From Washington To End The War, And Urged The Senate To Assert Its Power

Before a crowd of about 4,000
gathered on the Lawn President Shannon
called for prompt action to end the war,
and urged that the national administration
"demonstrate determination to end
the unprecedented alienation of youth."

The president also reaffirmed his
decision to keep the University open, but
urged that the faculty make provisions to
accommodate those students who would
rather spend their time participating in
constructive activities, presumably activities
concerned with ending the war.

The president was continually Interrupted
with boos and hisses from the
crowd during the first half hour of his 45
minute speech, as he reviewed the disturbances
of the past week and referred to the crowds of
students who marched on Carr's Hill, took over
Maury Hall, and confronted police on Thursday
and Friday night as "mobs."

Mr. Shannon was loudly applauded during
the last part of his address which contained his
remarks about the war, the alienation of youth,
and the letter which he drafted to be sent to
Virginia senators Harry Byrd and William
Spong. The letter urges the Senate to assert its
authority over the president, an indirect
denunciation of the president's foreign policy,
and also condemns the verbal attacks against
colleges and students made by the Washington
administration.

In writing the last part of his speech, the
president was aided by law professor Charles
Whitebread, who spoke at the rally on
Wednesday, and who tried to calm students
after Mr. Shannon's address to students at
Alderman Library on Wednesday night.

Beginning a half an hour late to allow people
to arrive on the Lawn, Mr. Shannon appealed
for help in the "upcoming days," and urged
that "love can be the bond to bring us

"As far as I know, the University the only
major university on the East Coast that is
open," and in reference to this, Mr. Shannon
praised the student strike as one not dominated
by force or coercion. Stating that he feels that
it is the desire of both the students and the
faculty to keep the University open, Mr.
Shannon furthermore pointed out that "the
open opportunity will continue."

In rehashing the activities of the last week,
he stated that "no harassment has ever been in
the history of this University" and the court
injunction issued Monday night was used as the
most non-violent method of removing students
from the "liberated" ROTC building.

In reference to the injunction, Mr. Shannon
remarked that it does not inhibit peaceful
demonstrations, such as the one taking place
throughout his speech, but it can be used to
protect the life, limb, or property of everyone
during an unlawful gathering of students -
which is the grouping of two or more people.

Remarking on the activities of the past
Wednesday night, the President offered this as
an example of the willingness of the University
to allow the continuation of the freedom of
speech, even in "an absolutely dangerous and
frightening situation."

Mr. Shannon told the sweating crowd that
on Friday afternoon the state police and local
authorities asked that he turn over all authority
to them but he refused. He related that later he
was not on the scene and allowed the police
captain to take authority to insure order on the
Grounds.

"The police aced to a degree I did not
expect, and hope to avoid in the future," he
said referring to the invasion of the Lawn,
dormitories and fraternity house Friday night
by charging state police and local police.

He referred to the gathering of students
Friday night as constituting a "riot, or near-riot
situation," and was promptly booed and hissed
by the crowd.

Mr. Shannon said that he had studied the
nine demands and would continue to study
them, but that he felt this wasn't the time for
him to make a decision, because it might
influence voting in today's referendum. In his
speech he did say he favored increasing the
enrollment of women and blacks.

The referendum will be voted on today by
students to assess student opinion on the strike
and the nine demands.

Mr. Shannon did not elaborate on the policy
the faculty will take regarding students who
wish to participate in "constructive activities"
and not go to classes, but he did urge the
faculty to permit students to delay their
requirements in courses.

Yesterday, faculty dean David Shannon said
that the chairmen of the University departments
would meet today to decide a policy.
The feeling expressed informally by many
faculty members and administrators is that
students who continue to strike will not be
penalized, and that there will be many options
open.

Photo By Howard Weinberg

Edgar F. Shannon, Jr.

Addresses Gathering On Week's Events