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WHAT:

������ will hold its 54th annual commemoration honoring the memory of May 4, 1970, a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard fired on ������ students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students, wounding nine others and sparking a turning point in American history.

Through looking back, ������ also looks ahead with awareness of the many ways in which the legacy of May 4 is evident in the university today and in what’s to come.

“The Power of Our Voices” theme inspired this year’s programming.

WHERE AND WHEN:

JERRY M. LEWIS MAY 4 LECTURE SERIES
11:30 a.m. on May 3
Kent Student Center Ballroom
This year’s lecture and luncheon will feature Chris Post, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Geography, who will present “Developing and Interpreting the Wounded Student Markers at ������.” The luncheon will be .

VOICES OF DEMOCRACY
3 p.m. on May 3
Schwebel Room, Kent Student Center, Third Floor 
Author and journalist Lawrence Roberts will discuss his book “Mayday 1971: A White House at War, a Revolt on the Streets, and the Untold History of America’s Biggest Mass Arrest.” The book follows the events of Mayday 1971, when a multiday Vietnam War protests in Washington, D.C., led to the largest mass arrest in the country’s history. After his presentation, Roberts will join ������ students for a moderated Q&A. 

THE POWER OF OUR VOICES: REMEMBERING THE GWANGJU UPRISING
5 p.m. on May 3
Schwebel Room, Kent Student Center, Third Floor 
A panel with faculty from the School of Peace and Conflict Studies and a delegation of faculty from Chonnam National University will discuss the Gwangju Uprising, also known as the May 18 Democratic Uprising, which occurred in 1980. It was led by Chonnam National University students protesting martial law. The government reported 165 deaths, but estimates suggest the toll ranged from 600 to more than 2,000 victims. 

CANDLELIGHT WALK AND VIGIL
11 p.m. on May 3 
������ Commons
This cornerstone of the commemoration began in 1971. There will be food served before the Candlelight Walk on the ������ Commons and in the Prentice Hall parking lot. 

MAY 4 COMMEMORATION
Noon on May 4
������ Commons (rain location: Kent Student Center Ballroom) 
The campus community and visitors will gather on the May 4 site to commemorate the moment that gunfire erupted 54 years ago. The annual commemoration will include a performance by the Kent Chorale, remarks from university students and administrators, the ringing of the Victory Bell and a moment of silence at 12:24 p.m. The commemoration will be livestreamed.

The commemoration remembers those killed – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder – and those wounded – Alan Canfora, John Cleary, Thomas Grace, Dean Kahler, Joseph Lewis, Donald Mackenzie, James Russell, Robert Stamps and Douglas Wrentmore – on May 4, 1970.

MORE INFORMATION:
For the latest information about the commemoration and events planned to honor and remember May 4, 1970, visit www.kent.edu/may4. Also, listen to the new podcast series “Legacy: May 4” by ������ Today.

STATEMENT ON FREE SPEECH AND DEMONSTRATIONS:

������ upholds the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all. Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue and respectful civil discourse in an inclusive environment.

The safety of our community is a priority of ������'s Department of Public Safety, Police Services. Police Services is aware, and monitors and assesses the safety of our community during campus events and responds accordingly.

MEDIA RSVP:
Members of the media who plan to attend and cover the commemoration or any of the related events are asked to RSVP to Emily Vincent at evincen2@kent.edu or 330-672-8595.

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