University of Virginia Library

Steve Squire

University Radical-In-Residence

PROFILE

By Holly Smith
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Steve Squire: he's the University's
own radical in residence, currently
presiding over his anti-war lit table/soap
box on the second floor of Newcomb
Hall. He's usually there around noon on
weekdays, rapping, laughing, rapping
some more; appearing more like a student
than the 29 year old former history
teacher he is.

Mr. Squire took his degree from the
University in 1963 with an MA in history.
He returned to the Grounds in 1968 after
teaching history at Oregon State and at
the State University of New York in
Plattsburg. It was then that he and several
friends initiated the first anti-war movement at
the University.

Through the Charlottesville Draft
Resistance, which he helped to organize, the
Charlottesville Pledge was instigated with the
goal of turning in draft cards once enough
pledges were signed across the nation. That year
and the following one Mr. Squire was also part
of the Southern Students Organizing
Committee and the small SDS chapter: and last
year's RATC: the Revolutionary Army Training
Corps.

In 1969 he co-chaired the Virginia
Mobilization along with Chuck Wheeler,
organizing and promoting the October and
November Moratoriums both at the University
and at nearby colleges.

In those days he was known for his quick
wit and machine gun delivery of pat answers for
any political question that might be raised.
Now it seems the rhetoric has slowed.

Although the biting wit is still there, the
answers he gives to the old questions are
growing more conservative, perhaps more
realistic. "It's a complex situation," he says of
the war and the movement against it, a
statement would come as a surprise to
those who heard him last year.

He seems to be less confident of the ability
of students to put a stop to the war or the
draft, since "Most students want to work (a)
within the system or (b) not at all." He feels
"It's a matter of individual commitment," and
that here at the University, in regard to the
Vietnam War, "The basic level of education is
low and commitment is lower."

During a normal day at the lit table someone
in the passing crowd will pause about once
every two minutes, stopping long enough to
toss out some "movement" news or to hear a
cryptic Squire witticism, then move on.

Or a stranger may wander up, glance at the
literature, then ask smugly "Why haven't you
done anything in reaction to the invasion of
Laos?"

Mr. Squire may counter with a quick "Why
haven't you?" but usually the frustration is
hidden and he calmly explains why no action
has been taken and what is being planned for
the near future. He somehow even manages to
make it sound as if he's giving the answer for
the first rather than the thousandth time.

May Days Photo By H. Weinberg

Steve Squire Addresses Lawn Gathering During The Strike Last May

When questioned as to his overall
philosophy of action Mr. Squire says "The only
way to bring the government to terms is to
apply the same amount of violence they apply
to the movement." Then, in reference to
Vietnam, "When the government is waging a
war of violence it can expect the chickens to
come home to roost."

That is the idealistic side of Mr. Squire.
When asked if he would be willing to initiate
the violence he feels is necessary, a more
realistic side of the man comes to light. He is
hesitant to employ the very practices the
movement is opposing, adding "I'm no more
willing to get shot at than the next person."

As for merely planning or helping to plan
for violent measures, he gives an apt illustration
of why he can't divulge such information for
publication. "It's like someone at a cocktail
party in Washington saying 'Hey, let's kidnap
Kissinger and cut off his balls and send them to
Martha Mitchell,' you just can't go around
saying things like that." No, you certainly can't
say things like that.