A Minnesota PBS Initiative
Protests: A Student's Perspective
We were students - civilians - that did not participate in the war. We remained in graduate school and finished our degrees. During those years, we participated in protests at University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis and St. Paul marches, and even in Washington, DC. We did not consider ourselves hard core activists but were basically against our involvement in Vietnam.
Student protests at University of Minnesota. Photo by Bill Dentler.
This is a montage of photos Bill took in the late 60’s and early 70’s in Minneapolis and at the University of Minnesota. These photos convey a sense of the vast numbers of people who protested against the war and something about the feelings of many who felt that our role in Vietnam was wrong and had little hope of an outcome that would benefit us.
Bill.
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To us, the war, or at least the way it was fought, seemed to be a pointless waste of lives and material. But the issues were more complex than could be summarized in simple slogans.
But these images do not reveal the whole picture. Other images Bill made at the capitol in St Paul revealed strong disagreement with the anti-war protesters by many Minnesotans. We saw no violence but there were many serious disagreements about the nature of patriotism and support for the war.
We only knew one person that went to Vietnam, a paratrooper. One of our major regrets from these times is the lack of support many in our country had for the people and soldiers who lived and served in Vietnam. Most went because of a feeling of responsibility for our country and to treat them badly when they returned is shameful.
To us, the war, or at least the way it was fought, seemed to be a pointless waste of lives and material. But the issues were more complex than could be summarized in simple slogans. Even our leaders seemed to realize the waste but, unfortunately, lacked the courage to end the war.
Public protests, in Minnesota and across the nation were important because they pressured our leaders to end the war. We need to remember our history and learn more about our reasons for entering and prolonging that conflict to help us avoid similar government actions now and in the future.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Minneapolis, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Minneapolis, United States 
Story Subject: Civilian
This story is part of Stories of Protest.
View the collection.
Story Themes: Anti-war Movement, Antiwar Movement, Dissent, Patriotism, Politics, Protest, Reflection, Student Protest
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