Poem causes walkout
Story on page 20.
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
80th Year, No. 81
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1970
Photo by Joe Bullard
Red and blue were the colors of the day
Photo by Ron Bishop
While students gather around Jimmy Green's statue to hear Lawrence Velvel, assoc. prof. of law speak out against the Chicago "Ten" trial, an unidentified protestor paints the statue with red and blue spray paint. An unidentified protestor paints a stenciled fist on the Douglas County court house Tuesday afternoon during a march protesting the Chicago "Ten" trial.
Marchers leave trail
By TOM SLAUGHTER
Kansan Staff Writer
A march to protest the action against the "Chicago 10" ended at the Douglas County Courthouse with one broken window and a pending investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's office.
The march began at the Chi Omega fountain and turned down Jayhawk Drive, stopping at Green Hall for a speech by Lawrence Velvel, professor of law. From Green Hall, the march continued down Jayhawk Drive and on to the courthouse.
While Velvel was speaking, one student, a beer bottle in his hip pocket, sat on the statue of Jimmy Green, spraying red and blue paint over the statue. The same student later sprayed paint on the wall of the courthouse, using a stencil in the form of a clenched fist.
In his speech, Velvel said the judiciary of the country has become a corrupt tool of the establishment position. Speaking of Judge Hoffman Velvel said, "Hoffman is posing a real threat to our society."
Velvet went on to say that Hoffman's contempt sentences, legally may be no longer than four months. Velvel said Judge Hoffman has evaded the rule by sentencing the men on charges other than those of contempt for court.
The crowd, estimated at 200 students, picked up supporters as they made their
way down Jayhawk Drive. The marchers, many of them chanting and singing, seemed to be enjoying themselves and the warm weather.
As the crowd marched to the courthouse many chanted, "Two, four, six, eight, stamp out the State." One student carrying a toy gun, was asked what the gun meant, he said, "Guns may be important someday. Maybe someday the gun will be the only answer."
The mood of the crowd became hostile, and many of the students wanted to enter the courthouse. After some debate, several marchers were inside, and walked upstairs to the rotunda of the building. As the students were walking upstairs, one of the group broke a window. Several office personnel watched as the crowd milled through the corridors of the building.
Two Kansan staff members were harassed by the crowd inside the rotunda. One of the marchers told a Kansan reporter that if he persisted in taking pictures, he would, "mess you up." Several other photographers were harassed outside the building, as the group painted the fists on the wall.
When the crowd reached the courthouse, a number of the marchers stood on the steps while the fist emblem was painted on the door and an outside wall of the building.
After the group entered the courthouse, many of the marchers dispersed and returned to campus. Police officers arrived shortly after the window was broken, however, no arrests were made at the time. After the window was
broken, the group in the rotunda lef+
broken, the group in the vault. The Douglas County Sheriff's office said no charges have been filed yet, but an investigation is being conducted, and charges may be filed Wednesday.
Ebert heads Alliance
For the last few weeks a new political force at the University of Kansas has been drawing up a platform for the March elections. The new force is the "Alliance" which has chosen Bill Ebert, Topeka junior, as its presidential candidate, and Greg Thomas, Topeka sophomore, its vice-presidential candidate.
Ebert said, "It is certain that the Alliance is a new and viable political alternative. The necessity of a new stance in student politics is in the atmosphere now, and the Alliance takes that stance based on activism and intelligent assault of existing imbalances and problems."
The issues facing Ebert and Thomas outlined in the party's platform include: overpopulation and environmental pollution, academic reform, fee increases, capitol improvements on the campus and student rights.
Alliance has outlined these issues in three major categories: The University's Role in Society, Academic Reform and University Reform.
Issues listed under the University's Role In Society are ecology to combat overpopulation and pollution; Vietnam, women's rights, black studies and the Haskell Institute.
In regard to black studies, Ebert said Alliance hoped to establish a black studies program and black studies major with the use of black resident professors. Concerning the question of Haskell Institute, Ebert said, "The University must work to free the Haskell students through provisions of exchange programs and cultural events."
The Alliance also proposes to make recommendations and changes in the Western Civilization comprehensive exam, eliminate language requirements and restructure college requirements.
College requirements under fire are the credit/no credit system, which
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