How can you run when you know?
Hugh Downs on NBC’s “Today” show :
On Thursday, April 30th, 1970, President Richard Nixon announced that American forces were moving into Cambodia.
On Friday, May 1st, students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, expressed their displeasure at the President’s announcement. That night, there was violence in the streets of Kent.
On Saturday, May 2nd, the R.O.T.C. building was burned, National Guardsmen moved onto the campus.
On Sunday, May 3rd, students and Guardsmen traded insults, rocks, and tear gas.
On Monday, May 4th, the confrontations continued. There was marching and counter-marching. Students hurled rocks and Guardsmen chased students, firing tear gas. The Guardsmen pursued the students up an area called Blanket Hill. Some Guardsmen pointed their rifles menacingly.
And suddenly, it happened.
Ohio by Neil Young
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We’re finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We’re finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.
A half century ago.
Kent State is nothing to celebrate.
And nothing to forget.
It can happen here.