Disclaimer: The following blog post is not a reflection of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s opinion on the below topics.
The United States observed copious amounts of protest towards change regarding foreign affairs surrounding their involvement in the Vietnam War. The controversy surrounding the Vietnam War–specifically the United States’ involvement–drew protests around the country, as well as around the globe, to urge the government to remove American forces involved in the Vietnam War. Though each of the different demographics involved in Vietnam War protests are deserving of recognition, students, both at the collegiate and high school level, had an immense and perhaps the biggest impact in the change of foreign policy surrounding involvement in this war. The organization of many anti-war, peace-oriented protests lies within the Student Mobilization Committee (SMC), a nationwide organization of students dedicated to ending the Vietnam War. This young generation of students is responsible for organizing events such as Vietnam Week, Confront the Warmarkers in Washington, and Stop the Draft Week. Each of these particular events had a specific reasoning, yet they all contributed towards the greater goal of putting an end to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The SMC’s expansion grew across many campuses, both at the collegiate and high school levels. At its core, this organization was a form of nonviolent movement. The majority of their activities included the planning and execution of marches, nonviolent protests, attendance at conferences, and education.
One of the SMC’s most influential affairs, as well as one of their first events was the “Vietnam Week.” This event was a seven day long stretch of campus activity with their three goals clearly described in their pamphlets and publications. These goals stated: “End the war now, bring the troops home; End the Draft; End University Complicity in the war.”[1] Gaining the support of college campuses across the nation, from sea to shining sea, was a very influential moment in the history of student protest. This demonstration had over 500,000 protestors present across the United States during Vietnam Week, gaining a lot of attention to the movement. Though the SMC is not as largely mentioned or regarded today, their involvement with Vietnam Week, and the protest against the Vietnam War in whole is worthy of acclaim. After witnessing the success of Vietnam Week, the Student Mobilization Committee moved towards their next feat: Confront the Warmakers march in Washington.
The goal of the Confront the Warmakers in Washington march was to again bring attention and more unrest towards the Vietnam War protest among students. The planning for the October 21 March commenced in July of 1967 and was concretized by the end of the month. SMC created vibrant call to action brochures, posters, buttons with messages such as “Bring the Troops Home” and “End the Draft”, and thousands of stickers.[2] The movement itself had around 200,000 protestors, with an estimated 160,000 of these demonstrators being students.[3] These numbers demonstrate the scale of student activism and involvement in the protest, organized by the majority from the SMC. The next influential event planned to draw in student involvement in the next era of Vietnam protesting was the seven day period dedicated to ending the draft: Stop the Draft Week.
One of the main sources of anger that propelled the mission of the Students Mobilization Committee was that the majority of members (students) were fighting for justice for their own age group. Many of the students protesting faced sadness and frustration as they watched friends, classmates, and siblings be drafted into a war that was fought on such empty reasoning. The SMC organized Stop the Draft Week in an effort to help draftees appeal the draft and demonstrate protest against the Vietnam War and draft. It was also heavily endorsed by other nonviolent movements circulating at the time, namely by The National Mobilization Committee to end the war in Vietnam and The Fifth Avenue Peace Parade Committee. The Student Mobilization Committee released many informational flyers to help educate draftees on the qualifications they may meet to evade conscription. Simultaneously, they continued to, “demand that all of the young men who have been sent to Vietnam be brought home now.”[4] Their motives and notions were clear, and students were determined to put an end to the draft and bring their troops back to America.
The SMC was one of the most influential student-led groups of nonviolent protest in America’s history. The SMC developed clear goals that they adhered to, and their movements were organized and peaceful. Their focus for peace was an idea shared by many Americans, from millions of protestors, to millions more silent sympathizers. The SMC was able to amplify a belief that was shared by many Americans during the Vietnam War era that could not, or did not protest. The protesters held widespread disappointment in the United State’s actions, and commonly “the concern for the lives of [their] brothers.”[5] On March 28, 1973, the last of the U.S. combat troops stationed in Vietnam withdrew and returned home. Nationwide, and worldwide distaste was a major motivator in the United State’s choice to withdraw from the Vietnam War. Today is important to recognize not only their accomplishments, but continue to implement their practices of peace and prosperity in our daily lives. It truly is possible to make a nationwide impact against violence at any age.
[1] Student Mobilization Committee, Join the Mobilization to Dispose the War in Vietnam, March 8, 1967, Informational Flyer, Box 11, Folder 4.
[2] SMC Progress report, July 21, 1967, Financial Records, Box 11, Folder 6.
[3] Fonts In Use, Student Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam flyers and posters, March 24, 1967.
[4] Student Mobilization Committee, Information for All Draftees, December 4-8, 1967, Box 11, Folder 7.
[5] Student Mobilization Committee, Stop the Draft Week Committee Correspondence, November 21, 1967, Box 11, Folder 7.