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A relative of Allison Krause looks to the sky while standing in silent vigil on the location in the Taylor Hall parking lot, on the campus of Kent State University, where Krauss and three others were killed during the May 4, 1970, shootings by Ohio National Guardsmen.
A relative of Allison Krause looks to the sky while standing in silent vigil on the location in the Taylor Hall parking lot, on the campus of Kent State University, where Krauss and three others were killed during the May 4, 1970, shootings by Ohio National Guardsmen.
Richard Whinery (left) of Chillocothe, Ohio, and Steve Minnich of Pueblo, Colorado, stand on the May 4, 1970, memorial on the campus of Kent State during the 44th commemoration of the shootings. Both attended Kent State during the 1960s and 1970s, and Minnich was a witness to the events of May 4, 1970.
Richard Whinery (left) of Chillocothe, Ohio, and Steve Minnich of Pueblo, Colorado, stand on the May 4, 1970, memorial on the campus of Kent State during the 44th commemoration of the shootings. Both attended Kent State during the 1960s and 1970s, and Minnich was a witness to the events of May 4, 1970.
Visitors to the campus of Kent State University review historical information regarding the shootings of May 4, 1970, by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests.
Visitors to the campus of Kent State University review historical information regarding the shootings of May 4, 1970, by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests.
A Kent State University student ponders the events of May 4, 1970, from the location where Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during anti-war protests, 44 years ago today, killing four students and wounding nine others.
A Kent State University student ponders the events of May 4, 1970, from the location where Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during anti-war protests, 44 years ago today, killing four students and wounding nine others.
Dean Kahler, a student wounded during the May 4, 1970, shootings on the campus of Kent State University, speaks to those attending the 44th commemoration ceremonies in the Ballroom of the Kent Student Center.
Dean Kahler, a student wounded during the May 4, 1970, shootings on the campus of Kent State University, speaks to those attending the 44th commemoration ceremonies in the Ballroom of the Kent Student Center.
Ravenna resident John McPeek, a graduate of Kent State University, prays at the spot where Jeffrey Miller was killed 44 years ago by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests on May 4, 1970.
Ravenna resident John McPeek, a graduate of Kent State University, prays at the spot where Jeffrey Miller was killed 44 years ago by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests on May 4, 1970.
Representatives from the May 4 Task Force carry candles in remembrance of students killed on May 4, 1970, during anti-war protests on the campus of Kent State University. The 44th commemoration ceremonies were moved indoors, due to the threat of inclement weather.
Representatives from the May 4 Task Force carry candles in remembrance of students killed on May 4, 1970, during anti-war protests on the campus of Kent State University. The 44th commemoration ceremonies were moved indoors, due to the threat of inclement weather.
  • A relative of Allison Krause looks to the sky while standing in silent vigil on the location in the Taylor Hall parking lot, on the campus of Kent State University, where Krauss and three others were killed during the May 4, 1970, shootings by Ohio National Guardsmen.
  • Richard Whinery (left) of Chillocothe, Ohio, and Steve Minnich of Pueblo, Colorado, stand on the May 4, 1970, memorial on the campus of Kent State during the 44th commemoration of the shootings. Both attended Kent State during the 1960s and 1970s, and Minnich was a witness to the events of May 4, 1970.
  • Visitors to the campus of Kent State University review historical information regarding the shootings of May 4, 1970, by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests.
  • A Kent State University student ponders the events of May 4, 1970, from the location where Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during anti-war protests, 44 years ago today, killing four students and wounding nine others.
  • Dean Kahler, a student wounded during the May 4, 1970, shootings on the campus of Kent State University, speaks to those attending the 44th commemoration ceremonies in the Ballroom of the Kent Student Center.
  • Ravenna resident John McPeek, a graduate of Kent State University, prays at the spot where Jeffrey Miller was killed 44 years ago by Ohio National Guardsmen during anti-war protests on May 4, 1970.
  • Representatives from the May 4 Task Force carry candles in remembrance of students killed on May 4, 1970, during anti-war protests on the campus of Kent State University. The 44th commemoration ceremonies were moved indoors, due to the threat of inclement weather.

Commemorating
May 4

Wezley Garlick | 05/04/2014
Kent State University held its 44th annual commemoration of May 4, 1970, with events that took place May 3 and 4. The annual commemoration, hosted by the May 4 Task Force, provided an opportunity for the university community to gather and remember those who were lost and injured during the tragedy and also reflect on what May 4 means today.

The May 4 Task Force, a student organization on campus, hosted two panels on Saturday, May 3. The afternoon panel, “Activism Then and Now,” featured both current and former political activists, including peace and civil rights activist and lawyer Staughton Lynd, Native American activist Bill Means and members of student organizations from Kent State. This panel was held in Room 317 in the Kent Student Center at 2 p.m.

The second panel, “Eyewitnesses to History: May 4th Perspectives,” included speakers who were eyewitnesses to the May 4, 1970, incidents. These speakers included shooting victims Dean Kahler, Joe Lewis and professor and writer Tom Grace. Chic Canfora, who witnessed the shooting, also was a part of the panel, which began at 7 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.

The annual candlelight vigil march took place at 11 p.m. on May 3. The vigil and subsequent march began at the Victory Bell and continued around campus, concluding at the Prentice Hall parking lot, where there are lighted markers where the four victims – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder – were killed. The candle bearers began the vigil that continued throughout the night until the commemoration began at noon on Sunday.

The commemoration began at noon on May 4 in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and included speakers and music.

Idris Syed, lecturer in Kent State’s Department of Pan-African Studies, has been the faculty advisor for theMay 4Task Force since 2009. He first became involved with the group during his time as a student in 1990 and has continued to be part of it even after he graduated and became a professor at Kent State.

“I’ve found being involved with the May 4 Task Force to be one of the most important things I’ve done at Kent State,” Syed said. “I think being a student, then a faculty member at Kent State has given me the opportunity to reflect on the impact and legacy that May 4 continues to have after all these years.”

During the commemoration weekend, the May 4 Visitors Center had extended hours. The center was open on Friday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, May 3, from noon to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, May 4, from 2 to 6 p.m.

For more information about events commemorating May 4, visit the May 4th Task Force website at www.m4tf.org.

For more information about Kent State’s May 4 Visitors Center, visit www.kent.edu/may4.