University of Virginia Library

Mass Rally At Rotunda Called For Today;
Speeches, Seminars, Defense Fund Set Up

By Donn Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo By Roy Alson

RAINY DAYS —

Although local
horticulturists are more than pleased to
see the much needed rain, this student as
well as many others has unwillingly been
drenched by the downpour which has
continued for over 24 hours.

In a special meeting held last night,
the Student Council voted to declare
tomorrow Civil Liberties Action Day and
called for a mass organization meeting at
3 p.m. today at the Rotunda to plan the
events.

In case of rain, the meeting will take
place in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium at
the same time.

The action is in coordination with a
national campaign begun Tuesday night
at Kent State University in Ohio to
protest the indictments of students and
faculty members at Kent State for actions
during last year's student strike.

Absolved Guardsmen

The Ohio grand jury, in decisions in the last
two weeks, absolved National Guardsmen from
blame in the killing of four Kent State students
during riots on the campus last spring. The jury
then indicted 25 students and faculty members
for rioting.

Kevin Mannix, President of the Student
Council, explained to the Council members that
the campaign was to call for a federal grand
jury investigation of the local indictments and
to raise money for the defense of the 25
indicted students and faculty members at Kent
State.

He added that the campaign was being
organized by both the student and faculty
senates at the Ohio school.

Civil Liberties

In discussing the suggestion for such action
at the University, Ken Lewis, Council representative
from the College, stated that speeches
and seminars on Friday to discuss civil liberties
would be supported by many students.

He added that the question was once again
raised before the Council whether the Council
"would take an active leadership position or
would again only follow."

Mike Cohen, a Council representative from
the Law School, stated that he would support a
petition calling for a federal investigation of the
indictments but would not favor any coercion
against the judicial process.

Mr. Cohen added that he could support the
seminars but would not support a moratorium
or the cancelling of classes.

Mr. Lewis then made a motion that
"Student Council express its deep concern over
the indictments of the 25 students and faculty
members of Kent State by a local grand jury
and that the Council support the efforts of the
students and faculty at Kent State by urging all
students to take part in a national Civil
Liberties Action Day on Friday."

The motion continued that the Council
should "1. Solicit signatures for a petition
calling for a federal grand jury investigation of
the indictment. 2. Collect money for the
defense of the indicted students and faculty
members and 3. Call for a mass meeting
Thursday to plan for workshops, meetings, and
speakers on Friday."

Hugh Antrim, Vice-President of the Council,
stated that he feared that the "Council in acting
for the student body is dealing with too broad
an issue and is dealing irresponsibly with this
topic if it acts without further investigation of
the facts."

Tom Collier, a Council representative from
the College, stated that tomorrow could "show
the entire nation that students have unity and
strength and that this violation of civil liberties
shouldn't happen in America."

Scott Stevens, a representative from the
College, stated that he felt that the Council did
not have enough time to plan for tomorrow's
events.

He then motioned that the Council amend
the original motion and delete the plans for a
national. Civil Liberties Action Day. The
amendment failed on a voice vote.

In a roll call vote, the Council passed the
motion by a vote of 14-3.

A petition was then drawn up by a few of
the representatives to be passed around the
University today and tomorrow. The petition
requested the empaneling of a federal grand
jury to investigate the indictments rising out of
the Kent State incidents of last spring.