Newswise — The 40th anniversaries of the deadly college student protests at Kent State and Jackson State are being commemorated at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT, by two faculty members of the Art Department who took part in those protests and were eyewitnesses to the violence.
Mike Alewitz, associate professor of art, was a student at Kent State and was among the protestors on May 4, 1970, demonstrating against the US invasion of Cambodia, when the Ohio National Guard fired upon the unarmed college students, killing four and wounding nine others. Alewitz became the founder and chairman of the Kent State Mobilization Committee Against the War, and joined with other students at colleges and universities protesting the violence and American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Coincidentally, Jerry Butler, associate professor of art, was a student at Jackson State College in Mississippi and was among the 100 students that held a protest on May 14, 1970, 10 days after the events at Kent State. Two students were killed by police and 12 others were injured in that violence.
Now colleagues and well-known muralists, Alewitz and Butler will present a slideshow and lead a discussion outside the Student Center at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4. They will then begin a 10-day effort to paint a large outdoor mural depicting the events of 40 years ago.
Professor Alewitz notes, "The events of May 1970 remain of critical importance to the students of today as they grapple with the continuing wars and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our mural will help to honor those who gave their lives in the struggle to end the war in Vietnam, and reveal how students can help educate and mobilize to change the course of history."
The public is invited to attend all events.
Tuesday, May 4 8:30 p.m. We Will Never Forget! Slide Show and DiscussionStudent Center Dining Patio, CCSU (off Ella Grasso Blvd)
Friday, May 14 (TBA) Mural completed and presented to CCSU
* Both Alewitz and Butler are available for interview.
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