University of Virginia Library

Protest Speaker Emphasizes Need
For Unified Anti-War Movement

By JESSICA SMITH

Approximately 75 students rallied on
the Rotunda steps yesterday afternoon to
protest the Vietnam war.

University graduate Al Long initiated
activities discussing possible organization
of a local anti-war movement.

"The focus of the movement is to get
people working together in on-going and
consistent ways, to keep building," Mr.
Long said.

"The small numbers participating in
today's activities should not be
discouraging because publicity has been
poor due to technical problems," he
continued.

Although anti-war movements have
died out in the past year as far as the
media is concerned, Mr. Long emphasized
that we should not lose sight of what is
going on."

Local interest groups are being set up
to encourage support in individual
communities, Mr. Long explained.

National Student Association local
coordinator Steve Squire gave suggestions
for coordinating a strong national
anti-war resistance.

"Man power is needed to be dedicated
to the anti—war movement to coordinate
students, workers, and the community.
All must work together to form a major
anti-war movement," Mr. Squire said.

One of the reasons for lack of success
of former groups is the lack of unity
among all community factions. An
attempt is being made to correct this, Mr.
Squire added.

A national moratorium is planned for
May 4. The moratorium will focus on
local activities, especially opposition to
federal and military buildings, including
ROTC.

Any persons interested in moratorium
work, should go to the draft resistance
table on the second floor of Newcomb
Hall, announced a spokesman for the
group.

Yesterday's activities had originally
included a march to the ROTC practice
field. Because of the small turnout, the
group changed plans and broke into small

groups to discuss various means of action
against businesses such as ITT which
continue war support.

First-year student Carlos Ordonez
explained that "some students did not
feel the telegram that Student Council
sent to President Nixon was strong
enough". The demonstration was
organized to supplement it.

"It was a joint effort among many
different individuals and groups
including the Virginia Weekly and the
Radical Student Union," Mr. Ordonez
concluded.