Loyola Phoenix: "Anti-Draft Protests Spurred by Evanston Invasion"

This article discusses the actions of "The Four of Us," four Loyola students who, on April 29, 1971, "invaded" the Evanston branch offices of the Selective Service system and the Internal Revenue Service. They destroyed 300-500 1-A draft files by pouring symbolic blood on them, then waiting for police to arrive and arrest them. The following Monday, three people, including local residents and professor Chick Strain of Barat College were arrested for blocking the IRS office entrance while leafletting and protesting war taxes. Leafletting continued on Tuesday, "explaining what had happened so far and urging passers-by to sign the 'People's Peace Treaty.'" The treaty "declares the leaders of the warring countries don't have the sense or desire to declare peace, so the people will." "Guerilla theatre was the tactic used to focus anti-war sentiment in Evanston last Wednesday, when "Nine people arrived at the draft board at 8:00 a.m. and proceeded to perform their one-act plays. A sign was posted on the door which read 'Out of Order.' The notice also included the peace sign. A march followed, including students from Loyola, Mundelein, Northwestern, North Park College, Barat, and New Trier High School. It moved from Dempster Street Beach to Deering Meadow in front of Northwestern's Library. Anti-war religious services took place at Barat College and St. Procopius College that evening. At the Barat College service Thom Clark [one of "The Four of Us"] delivered a homily. He spoke on the necessity for individuals to overcome fear when the law of society conflicts with an individual's conscience. He remarked '...to solve society's problems, we can't allow ourselves to say let Ghandhi do it, let King do it, let the Berrigans do it, or let Christ do it. We must do it or nobody will. If we don't do it, we've no reason to hope anyone else will.'
A meeting to discuss defense funds and further action is planned for the Tranquility Lounge today at 2 p.m. 'The Four of Us' will address the rally."

1971-05-17

The Loyola Phoenix, 1971-05-17, page 3

University Archives and Special Collections

University Archives and Special Collections, The Loyola Phoenix, 1971-05-17, page 3

Loyola University Chicago

Vietnam War

Mundelein College

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