Vietnam War Moratorium + 50

The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, Oct. 15

Few events in American history caused as much upheaval as the war in Vietnam. Young people took to streets and college campuses, protesting a conflict that they viewed as little more than an excuse for a murder machine entangling thousands of young draftees. Not surprisingly, musicians supplied the soundtrack against which protest was pursued. With the sound and imagery flashing across television screens night after night, it was only natural that people would find respite in an array of anthems—“Fortunate Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival, “Street Fighting Man" from the Rolling Stones, “For What It’s Worth" (written about the riots on Sunset Strip) by Buffalo Springfield, “Machine Gun” from Jimi Hendrix, Country Joe and the Fish’s “Vietnam Song” and “Volunteers” which came courtesy of Jefferson Airplane. All served to remind the youth of the country that they weren’t alone in their determination to sway some sentiment and avoid the bloodshed overseas.

This reporter was overseas at the time; the École Active Bilingue allowed its American students to leave class to protest at the American Embassy, so we took the tube there & milled about on the front lawn as (judging from the hairdos) Marines in cheap Sears Roebucks suits photographed us from the entry to the embassy. Am I still in a file somewhere?

Irony Dep't.: The whole damn thing was the fault of the colonialist Froggies. No one is innocent.

[Paste. Stupid young people, but I'm too lazy.]