You have to get arrested!

In 1970 a friend helped organize a sit-in at college to protest the non-retainment of a popular political science professor. Sit-ins were a popular form of protest then, dozens of students occupying or trespassing a college office, usually that of the president, sometimes registration or the treasurer’s office. Occupying the president’s office was preferred, since the college president represents the entire organization.

College response to the occupation or trespass generally resulted in (a) the president giving in to student demands; (b) negotiations between the president and student spokesmen; (c) using college security or local police to clear trespassers from the president’s office; or, (d) arrest of student organizers. The first result led to more student demands and additional occupations; the second led to additional student demands or occupations; clearing students by force often meant heads were knocked about by both police and students, which led to accusations of “police brutality.” The fourth result sometimes meant police had to first identify leaders and then arrest them, sometimes peacefully, at other times with “police brutality” actions. In my friend’s sit-in, police chose the fourth alternative.

The arrests were peacefully done. The police person in charge announced he had a list of organizers. When he called a name, the person called would come forward and be placed in custody. The first two students called did as told and were arrested.

My friend was the third organizer called. He had a comfortable spot on the comfortable carpet against a wall in the president’s office. He saw no reason to leave. His name was called again. He did not move. A woman protestor sitting nearby said, “(L)! He called your name!” L said, “Be quiet.” The woman, in the best spirit of solidarity and collective protest, said, “You have to go! You have to get arrested!” L again told the woman to be quiet. She said nothing else, apparently realizing that the only way L would be arrested was if another protestor identified him to the police.

L was not identified or arrested. But, he lived at home while attending college. His parents were well known in the town. The police spoke to his father, and an agreement reached. L went to the police station and identified himself as one of the sit-in organizers. The police said,
“Don’t do that again,” and sent him away.

The professor who was the reason for the sit-in was a Marxist, or at least close to being a Marxist. Many college professors in those days developed a self-imposed sense of Marxism as protest against government or societal philosophy.

Dozens and dozens of sit-ins occurred at college campuses in the early 1970s. Professors or instructors who were scheduled for non-retainment and supported by sit-ins always were Marxist or socialist. Always.

These days it seems the descendants of those protestors have won, at least at some colleges. The Marxists and socialists are in charge, and what once was called “establishment” professors are targeted and often fired for their beliefs. Firing of Marxists was alleged a violation of academic freedom, not to mention violation of the First Amendment. Firing of establishment professors now ensures colleges are free of hate speech, homophobia, racist remarks and anti-LGBQT ideas.

Yea for free discussion of ideas!