University of Virginia Library

Rotunda Read-In Continues
Anti-Vietnam Protesting

Attracting a sparse crowd which varied
between 20 and 80 persons, the Virginia
Mobilization Committee sponsored a
read-in at the Rotunda last night in the
third phase of the nationwide campaign
to stop the Vietnam war.

Steve Squire, co-chairman of the
Committee, prefaced the read-in with a
plea to those attending "to develop some
means to get across to the people who
don't have the proper concern for
Vietnam, and wars in general" that "a
'Christmas as usual' at these times is
almost criminal."

Conducted in an informal fashion, the
read-in attracted individuals whose remarks
were sometimes prefaced with "I
dedicate this poem to. . ," and once, "In
response to his lies, half-truths, and piecemeal
actions I dedicate this poem to Richard
Nixon." The poem "What Does the Hangman
Feel Like at Night?" followed.

The short quotes, poems and statements
that were read revealed varied feelings and
reasons against the present American policy in
Southeast Asia. They ranged from futility,
". . .the Vietnamese have a secret weapon, the
ability to die far beyond our ability to kill," to
sarcasm, "Millions of men are wanted. . . do
you thrill at the thought of throwing poison in
wells. . .you are the man we want. . .apply
Southeast Asia. . .no thoughts necessary. . .
wages - death,' to morality, "The care of
human life and happiness and not their
destruction is the first and only legitimate
object of good government."

An article by Richard Cousins traced a
soldier's life in Vietnam and his journey to
Song My: "I sent them a good boy, they sent
home a murderer." However, the article
ascribed the fault of the "absolute violence of
the trigger" to more areas than the military.

It condemned the early joy in the killing of
Indians, the latent hatred of the Asian and the
black, and the "violence of the tongue" as steps
to Song My and similar incidents.

The tragedy in Vietnam, "kids learning how
to play terrorist and getting killed at their
game," caused one person to say, "I have
viewed almost everything and I am assured,
America comes first." In the words of George
Wall: "We can get over it if we only just get
out."

Photo By Paul Zintl

Second-Year Man Bill Wilson Sings "Ginger Man" At Anti-War Meeting.

Mobilization Committee Sponsored Read-In, Sing-Fest At University Last Night.