Strike for Peace
Humboldt State College, 1970
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Strike for Peace
The United States became militarily active in Vietnam in March 1965 with the beginning
of Operation Rolling Thunder and the stationing of combat troops in Vietnam. Opposition to the
Vietnam War and to the draft started almost as soon as the war itself. Public demonstrations such
as those that accompanied the civil rights and anti-nuclear movements, became a key tactic of
anti-war groups. Many of the early anti-war protests started on the local level with teach-ins on
college campuses1. On March 24, 1965 the University of Michigan was the first campus to
attract national attention for such actions.2
The Tet Offensive of 1968 claimed numerous lives on both sides of the war and was a
pivotal moment that generated broad public opposition.3 The New York Times ran an article
immediately after the Tet Offensive reporting that General William Westmoreland had sent a
request to the president for additional troops.4 Nationwide protest followed including the
Vietnam Moratorium Day, October 15, 1969, with close to one million participants. One month
later newly elected President Richard Nixon pacified the public with his "Silent Majority"
speech that promised de-escalation and slow troop withdrawals.5 When Nixon invaded
Cambodia five months later on April 30, 1970, many were outraged, especially college students.
I Mitchell K. Hall, "The Vietnam Era Antiwar Movement," OAH Magazine of History. 18, no. 5, 13-17, 2004.
Ibid.
3 Stanley Karnow, Vietnam, a History. (New York: Viking Penguin, 1991) 536.
4 Mitchell K. Hall, "The Vietnam Era Antiwar Movement," OAH Magazine of History. 18, no. 5, 13-17, 2004.
S Gregory Allen Olsen, Landmark Speeches on the Vietnam War, (College Station: Texas A&M University Press,
2010) 142-144.
2
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Nixon's expansion into Cambodia was seen as unjustifiable by many college students
including those in Northern California. At Humboldt State College (HSC)6 an all campus
meeting was held in the Sequoia Theater on May 6, 1970, with an open forum for HSC students,
faculty, and staff to discuss the current situation.7 The following day the Student Legislation
Council (SLC) voted 13-1 for HSC to hold an anti-war protest in Humboldt County. The
Community Action Committee (CAC) was formed to conduct the strike8 from May 11-15,1970.
HSC students sought to fight the violence plaguing the U.S. by means of non-violent protest.
Many college campuses in America opposed the expansion of the war into Cambodia. As
a result there has been a plethora of research. on student activism during the years of the Vietnam
War. The focus of this paper is on the anti-war movement at a small northern California campus.
This paper will look at how the students and faculty at HSC conducted the strike for peace and
the response of Humboldt County residents. It will argue that the desired outcome of the May
1970 strike at HSC was accomplished.
This paper is based on primary sources found in the vertical file "Strike for Peace" in the
special collections section of Humboldt State University's library. Using documents produced by
the Community Action Committee (CAC), letters concerning the student strike composed by
Humboldt State College faculty and newspaper articles from the Arcata Union, Humboldt TimesStandard, and the Lumberjack it will examine the goals of HSC's protests as well as the
strategies used to keep the strike for peace non-violent. It will use secondary sources such as
Humboldt State College went through several name changes before settling on Humboldt State University in the
fall of 1974.
William R. Tanner, A View from the Hill. (Arcata, CA: University Graphic Services, Humboldt State University) 140.
7 Katheryn Corbett, Letter to the Faculty, No Date, (Special Collection: Humboldt State University Arcata, CA).
8 All of the records in the vertical file refer to movement at Humboldt State College with title of "strike for peace."
6
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Mitchell Hall's article The Vietnam Era Antiwar Movement, books by Daniel Hain, Rhodri
Jeffery- Jones, and Stanly Karnow to compare HSC to other striking campuses and to better
understand the context in which the strike for peace occurred.
The CAC decided one of the most important aspects to their anti-war demonstration at
HSC was to remain non-violent. Many college students were angered by the Cambodian
invasion. Protests swept across college campuses and in many places became violent or were met
by violent police and/or National Guard interactions. Especially tragic was the death of four Kent
State students in Ohio at an anti-war demonstration on May 4, 1970. The New York Times
reported that from a nearby rooftop a sniper opened fire at the National Guardsmen. In response
the troops fired shots into the group of protesters wounding eight students and killing four
others.9 The New York Times printed an article two days after the shootings stating "tens of
thousands of students of educational institutions here, and in adjoining states halted their studies
yesterday to show their bitterness and anguish over the invasion of Cambodia and the killing of
four Kent State students."10 This extension of violence to students in anti-war movements was
unacceptable to the students of HSC and deeply influenced their decision for a strictly nonviolent protest.
In California, emotions ran high as students mourned the tragedy at Kent State. The mass
amount of college anti-war movements on California campuses necessitated Governor Ronald
Reagan to issue the mandatory closure of all State Colleges and Universities for three days in
9
New York Times, "four Kent State Students killed", May 5, 1970.
10 New York Time, "Protests on Cambodia and Kent State are joined by many local schools," May 6, 1970.
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May 1970.11 In all, 28 campuses were closed12. Governor Reagan urged private and junior
colleges to close as well. Regan felt that "it is essential for our college and university faculty and
students to reflect on the grave sequence of events" and shutting down the colleges was "in order
to provide them this opportunity away from the highly emotional conditions."13 Due to HSC
being closed to students, the CAC established the strike headquarters off campus at Jack Hitt and
Jerry Gorsline's Arcata bookstore and started work on the strike for peace.14
The CAC's first order of business was to inform the college student body, HSC faculty,
and Humboldt County residents of their resolutions for the strike for peace. Their main goals
were to remain non-violent and educate the public on the issues in Vietnam. The strike was
completely voluntary and would be held May 11-15. For this week HSC would fly the U.S. flag
at half-mast with a black flag for mourning and a peace flag. Likewise, the Founder's Hall
"peace bell" was to be rung four times on the half hour every day of the strike. A team of
delegates from HSC went to Washington DC on student raised funds. They also petitioned to
postpone the school's "Lumberjack Days", and maintain a constant peace vigil on campus for the
week. Further information could be found at the bookstore headquarters regarding the
resolutions, planned strike activities, and information on what the students were doing.15
The CAC organized and scheduled a variety of strike events for the week. The CAC had
picket lines, rallies with guest speakers, and teach-ins each day. They also scheduled training
11 C.H.
Siemens, "Humboldt State College- Memorandum", No Date, (Special Collections: Humboldt State
University, Arcata, CA).
12
New York Times, "Reagan closes campus system in face of disorder", May 7, 1970.
13 Ibid.
14 The Humboldt Times Standard, "Death and Funeral Notices [Jack Hitt]", April 1, 2004.
1C5omunityAc e,"PrsRlaNoDte,[1970](SpcialCotns:HumbdSaeUivrsty,
Arcata, CA).
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sessions for the canvassers/picketers. Smaller sub-affinity groups were formed including the
women's caucus group which held their own meetings. The CAC also utilized music and
provided strike song booklets to protesters. To orchestrate all the events the CAC elected seven
people to form the strike bulletin staff. Strike bulletins were produced each day of the strike and
included the days strike event schedule. The bulletins were a way to keep protesters up to date of
the progress of the strike and current events. Each also featured any updates on relating events
outside of Humboldt County including marches on the state capital, and San Jose States,
California Student Offensive organizations activities.16 The bulletins were not only intended for
participating protesters but for the general public. The bulletins were a way for the CAC to keep
both strikers and residents informed.
The Strike Bulletins also updated HSC students on the progress of the United Draft
Opposition (UNDO). Even though eligible men who did not have their draft cards could be fined
10,000 dollars or sentenced to 5 years in jail, students all over the U.S. collected draft cards and
returned them to Washington DC. Mike Denaga from HSC traveled to San Jose State to deliver
the first wave of 450 draft cards from fellow students. Denaga's report in the May 10th strike
bulletin informed students that, due to HSC positive reputation among their peers, HSC was
designated as UNDO northern CA headquarters17. On May 19th a delegate from Berkeley was
scheduled to drive the bundle of draft cards from CA to Princeton's anti-draft center where they
16
Strike Bulletin Vol.1 No. 3, May 9,1970, (Special Collection: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA).
Bulletin vol. 1 no. 111, May 10, 1970 (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1970)
17 Strike
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would join the thousands of cards from all over the U.S. to be delivered to DC18. In all, HSC
alone sent over 600 draft cards to Princeton's anti-draft center.19
To ensure the demonstration remained peaceful and productive the CAC provided the
participating strikers with outlines for appropriate behavior. The CAC established principle rules
for strikers on picket lines including personal conduct guidelines, advise on what to do if there
was trouble, dress regulations, and sign protocol. They provided contact sheets for the leaders of
the canvassing affinity groups as well as a list of all the other college campuses in America that
were on strike. The CAC also gave out "if busted" resource flyers that could be kept in a pocket
or wallet with information of what to do and who to call if arrested. The CAC felt that the
students' respectful conduct during the strike would resonate well within the Humboldt County
community and help spread their message of peace.20
In their press release, the CAC stated that the most important goal of the strike for peace
was to educate the public. The best means the CAC found to accomplish this was by student
door- to- door canvassing in Humboldt County. HSC student, Pam Himelhoch took charge as the
head canvassing coordinator. She organized 55 affinity groups composed of 7 persons each. Her
hope was to reach 16,000 homes throughout Humboldt County during the duration of the
strike.21 To help students be more effective during canvassing they were encouraged to first try
and connect to the more traditional population of Humboldt County. Students 'hippie'
appearance was generally unwelcomed by the older generations in Humboldt County. Male
18 Strike Bulletin vol. 1 no. 8 May 14, 1970 (Special Collection: Humboldt State University, Arcata CA, 1970).
"Katy M. Tahja, The Campus History Series Humboldt State University, (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2010)
72-73.
20 [Hand Written Note Card], No Date, [1970], (Special Collection: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA).
21
Arcata Union, "War protest felt by town and gown," May 14, 1970.
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canvassers voluntarily cut their long hair into more traditional styles. The Ivanhoe in Ferndale
supported the strike by offering 10 dollars for 'hippie scalps'.22 Other than appearance, student's
attitudes were an important aspect in their effectiveness. They were expected to be respectful and
demonstrate good communication and listening skills.23
Students that participated in canvassing also had to have a clear understanding of the war
to make their work around Humboldt County successful. Teach-in coordinator, Wayne Dodge
was surprised at the lack of knowledge about Vietnam among students and the public.
Participating students attended a series of teach-ins that went over topics in history, psychology,
sociology, government and speech.24 The CAC also produced a variety of educational materials
the canvassers could reference to clarify American policy in Vietnam. Students were encouraged
to follow a protocol of telling the history and facts to engage with residents; many students felt
that having an open honest conversation with both facts and personal opinions was a more
effective approach.
Canvassing students tried not only to educate the Humboldt County population but get
them involved. They would pass out leaflets with details on the war and ways residents could
help. Many people did not have the desire to become fully involved in the strike. Canvassing
students encouraged people to sign petitions, write letters to government officials, or donate
funds to the strike for peace. Many students felt that prolonging the war was both morally wrong
22
Strike Bulletin, Volume 1 #3 May 9, 1970, (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA).
[Hand Written Note Card] May 7, 1970, (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA).
24 The Arcata Union, "War Protest felt by Town and Grow," May 14, 1970.
23
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and illegal by the standards of the United Nations; the canvassers hoped to generate the support
needed to further actions to end the war.25
President of HSC, Cornelius H. Siemens supported his students in the decision for the
strike for peace movement. In his opinion, the conduct and message of peace the students were
spreading throughout the community was "nothing short of admirable" and the strike would be a
milestone in Humboldt County history.26 Siemens personally felt that the United State's
involvement in Vietnam was "tragic with further expansion utterly wrong."27 He wrote to
President Nixon on this issue advocating for the war to come to an end and for the President "to
attempt an understanding of [Students] widespread, deep-seated desire for peace."28 The CAC
nominated Siemens to join the team of delegates traveling to Washington DC to advocate for
change there.29 Siemens felt that with more colleges becoming active in non-violent protests
positive influence on the nation was inevitable.
Vice President of Academic Affairs at HSC, Milton Dobkin sought to keep order by
enforcing regulations already established for HSC faculty. He felt that participating students
should be held to the same standards set by professor's syllabi for a student that missed a class,
and no further action should be taken against them. The faculty could not cancel classes in favor
of the protest and were expected to have proper cause or authorization for any canceled class.
Unauthorized absences would result in a 11210` decrease in annual gross salary. If a professor or
25 The Illegality of the Cambodian Invasion United Nations Charter, No Date, [1970], (Special Collections: Humboldt
State University, Arcata, CA).
26 The Humboldt Times Standard, "Students Conduct Lauded by Siemens", May 9, 1970.
27 The Humboldt Times Statndard, "Students Conduct Lauded by Siemens", May 9, 1970.
28 Cornelius Siemens, No Date, [1970), (Letter to President Nixon], (Special Collections: Humboldt State University,
Arcata, CA).
29 The Lumberjack, "Forum: Be not too hard, for life is short, and nothing is given to man," May 11, 1970.
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faculty members missed five consecutive days of work they were subjected to the education code
section 24311 of automatic resignation of position. Professors were also expected to act in a
professional manner to ensure students were not forced to support any political point of view.
Dobkin felt that ensuring that proper conduct was maintained during the duration of the strike
would provide stability at the college.30
Despite Dobkin's attempts, many professors supported the movement and came together
to form the Union of Associated Professors (UAP). They defended striking students and urged
other professors not to take any punitive actions against protesters31 Professor of psychology, A.
Karoly petitioned for the campus to be open to the public and the remainder of the semester be
dedicated to "bringing the wars in Southeast Asia to an end."32 Katheryn Corbett, President of
General Faculty, commended the student's non-violent activities. In her statement Corbett said,
"As a long-time faculty member I have never been so proud of our students and faculty."33
HSC faculty members were not the only ones to offer praise for HSC students and the
strike. Many Humboldt County residents felt that the student's behavior during the strike was
admirable. The Mayor of Arcata commended the students for their "lawful and orderly
protest."34 And Gene Souligny, an Arcata store owner stated, "the student's activities have
informed the community. The way they have carried on their activities is remarkable. The non-
30 Milton Dobkin, "Questions Relating to Student Boycott and Faculty Withdrawal of Service (announcement for
May 11-15, 1970)," May 11, 1970, (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA).
31 [Resolutions from the first meeting of the Union Associated Professors (UPA)], No Date, (Special Collections:
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1970).
32
A. Karoly, "Letter to all faculty", No Date (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1970).
33
Katheryn Corbett, [Statement by Katheryn Corbett), (Special Collections: Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA,
1970).
34
Arcata Union, "Townsmen give views on the week's events," May 14, 1970.
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violent strike is reinforcing their beliefs and shows they're serious."35The Humboldt County
community generally had a positive response to the strike for peace.
While the majority of Humboldt County residents supported the HSC strike, there were
some that did not. Some members of the community felt that anti-war demonstrations were
unpatriotic. 36 Similarly, Robert W. Matthews of Brizard-Matthews Machinery Co. felt that "any
strike is kind of stupid because everyone loses by it... the students are hurting themselves by not
attending classes... personally I feel the move into Cambodia was a good military move. Our
generals should know best what action to take."37 However, many of the residents that did not
agree with the protesters still welcomed canvassing students into their homes to talk about the
war.38
Nor did all of the student body sympathize with the strike. hi the May 20th edition of the
Lumberjack an article entitled "Activism Arrives at Humboldt State" appeared. The author, Mike
Stickstill referred to HSC as being "paradise lost in the state college system." After 57 years of
being a "sleepy, county school that served local students," the new "breed of student" from urban
areas was changing the dynamic at HSC. An anonymous student gives his opinion of the strike in
the article as they say, "I never thought I'd see this happen at Humboldt State."39 In the vertical
file there are also two strike bullsheets'' that crudely slanders the strike for peace and the
participating students. Despite this opposition, non-striking students general supported the strikes
cause and did not participate for two main reasons: they felt the strike would not have an impact
35
Ibid.
36
Arcata Union, "Another voice anyone?" May 14, 1970.
37
Arcata Union, "Townsmen give views on the week's events," May 14, 1970.
38
39
Arcata Union, "Bookstore acts as command post," May 14, 1970.
The Lumberjack, "Student Activism Arrives at Humboldt State," May 20, 1970.
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on changing things, or felt that missing class to participate was not worth hurting the educational
progress.40
Finally, the Times-Standard published an article in June 1970 questioning the
effectiveness canvassing had on changing Humboldt County resident's attitudes on the war. HSC
students from the institute of social.research attempted to perform a survey to conclude the
impact canvassing had on the community. Of 160 questionnaires disturbed to residents, one forth
had been canvassed. The survey found that of the 160 respondents, 20 reported their opinions on
the war had been affected by canvassing and 10 responded that they were unsure if their opinions
were affected any.41 While the results of the survey are not fully representative, it seems clear
that the students of HSC peacefully got the members in the community thinking and talking
about current events.
The 1970 strike for peace was the largest demonstration in the history of Humboldt
County.42 For the week of May 11-15 HSC had an estimated 3,000 students and faculty protest
the invasion of Cambodia, violence occurring on other college campuses, and the draft.
Throughout the protest no arrest were made and the strike activities remained non-violent.43 The
goal of reaching out to 16,000 Humboldt County homes was reached through the student's doorto-door canvassing.44 Students peacefully got residents informed and talking about the war. HSC
students were praised for their conduct by peers from other California campuses, the HSC faulty
40 Arcata Union, "War protest felt by town and gown," May 14, 1970.
41 The Times-Standard, "War attitude not changed by HSC drive," June 17,1970.
42 Katy M. Tahja, The Campus History Series Humboldt State University, (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2010)
72-73.
43Arcata Union, "striking students reach 16,000 homes," May 21, 1970.
44Ibid.
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members, and the majority of Humboldt County residents. Regardless of the minority of the
population that did not support the anti-war movement the CAC was able to accomplish the
goals of the strike. As Father Timmons of HSC Catholic chaplain put it "The effectiveness is in
the way students and community can open their minds and talk to each other... Ramifications are
more than the immediate political reaction."45 As the week ended, the movement started to
decline. While activism was still present on HSC's campus as the war continued, it never again
reached the height of the strike for peace.
45
The Arcata Union, "striking students reach 16,000 homes," May 21, 1970.
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Primary Sources
Special Collections, Humboldt State University Library, Arcata, CA. "Strike for Peace."
Vertical File.
This file in the Humboldt Room of the Humboldt State University is composed of
documents from May 1970 relating to the "Strike for Peace" movement at Humboldt State
College(HSC). There are a variety of documents which are grouped into the major categories:
letters to and from HSC faculty, newspaper articles, and documents produced by the Community
Action Committee (CAC). This file details the reasons HSC students established the strike for
peace and how the CAC conducted the weeklong strike. Specific to this paper, letters from Dr.
Siemens, Milton Dobkin, Katheryn Corbett, A. Karoly, and the Resolutions from the first
meeting of the Union Associated Professors are used. The newspaper articles used are from three
papers: the Times-Standard, the Arcata Union, and the Lumberjack (Humboldt State's
newspaper). From the documents from the Community Action Committee this paper references:
press releases, strike schedules and bulletins, song booklets, leaflets, education sheets, and strike
bullsheets.''
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Secondary Sources
Hall, Mitchell K. The Vietnam Era Antiwar Movement. OAH Magazine of History. 18, no. 5:
13-17. 2004.
Hall's article looks at the different motives of anti-movements and how the events of the
war affect the increase and decrease of protests.
Hallin, Daniel C.. The Uncensored War. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Hallin's book mostly addresses the effects the media had on the Vietnam War. It also
gives examples of public opinions response of the war and protests.
Jefferys-Jones, Rhodri. Peace Now! American Society and the Ending of the Vietnam War. New
Haven: Yale University Press, 1999.
This book offers content about student movements across the nation as well as some
major triggering events to cause their upset to the War. Also it offers information on how the
government/ nation responded to protesters.
Karnow, Stanley. Vietnam, a History. New York: Viking Penguin, 1991.
This book offers the overview of the Vietnam War and 1 will use it to add historical
content to the paper as well as reference major events that led to American dissatisfaction and
eventually HSC's strike for peace.
The New York Times. April 28- May 15, 1970.
The New York Times has several articles about the events of other college protests and
antiwar movements.
Olson, Gregory Allen. Landmark Speeches on the Vietnam War. College Station: Texas A & M
University Press, 2010.
This book is composed of the most important speeches during the Vietnam War from
various people. Nixon's "silent majority" and his announcement of American invasion into
Cambodia are key aspects to the paper.
Tahja, Katy M. The Campus .History Series Humboldt State University. Charleston, SC: Arcadia
Publishing, 2010.
Tanner, William R. A View From the Hill: A History of Humboldt State University. Arcata, CA:
University Graphic Service, Humboldt State Universit. 1993.