Because students began throwing bricks and stones at the Guardsmen. The Guardsmen retreated (began stepping rearward), then finally cut loose with rifle fire.
Three classes of fire are recognized by the National Fire Protection Association.
They did it as a means to control the crowds and protesters, and it's not far fetched to say they enjoyed demeaning blacks.
In the Tlatelolco Massacre of October 2, 1968, the Mexican government violently suppressed a student-led protest demanding greater political freedoms and social reforms. Soldiers and police opened fire on thousands of demonstrators in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, although the exact number remains disputed. The government attempted to downplay the incident, censoring media coverage and framing the protesters as a threat to national security. In the aftermath, the government maintained a narrative of justification for the crackdown, leading to widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
Amritsar, Punjab, was the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This took place on April 13, 1919, when Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered an attack on a non-violent protest.
Like students everywhere in the mid-1960s to early 1970s, students of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in May 1970 were protesting the Civil War. Nearly all protests in that era were non-violent, the "sit in" variety. But "the establishment" (anyone in authority) did not like that they could not control protesters (anywhere). Plus, in response to Pres. Nixon announcing a new offensive, students set fire to the ROTC building. So the Governor of Ohio called out the Ohio National Guard to "control" the situation. But the Guardsmen opened fire on the unarmed students! They killed 4 and wounded 9. This was, as people say now, "huge"! It was shocking! Unconscionable! Nothing like this had ever occurred before against White unarmed students. Plus, film of the protest and aftermath of students lying on the ground, bleeding or dead, was televised. It was a sobering turn, in that it felt like US citizens were not just protesting an unfair and unjust war in Vietnam, but also fighting the cruelty of our own government toward its own citizens.
the guardsmen were responding to a report of a sniper rifle. Gradpoint master race
On May 4, 1970, during a protest against the Vietnam War, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on a group of students at Kent State University. The guardsmen were called to disperse the protesters, who were demonstrating on campus. Amidst rising tensions and confusion, they fired into the crowd, killing four students and wounding nine others. The incident sparked national outrage and became a pivotal moment in the anti-war movement.
the guardsmen were responding to a report of a sniper rifle. Gradpoint master race
Kent State University students in Kent, Ohio were peacefully protesting the attack on Cambodia. The governor called out the National Guard to quell the uprising. A guardsman opened fire, killing 4 students and wounding others.
Bull Connor
The university in Ohio where several student demonstrators were killed is Kent State University. This tragic event occurred on May 4, 1970, during a protest against the United States' invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. National Guardsmen opened fire on the demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of four students and injuries to nine others. The incident became a significant moment in the anti-war movement and American history.
On 01 May 1970, under orders from President Nixon (Commander in Chief) US ground forces entered Cambodia, penetrating approximately 21 miles, for approximately 60 days, in search of COSVN (Central Office South Vietnam-communist headquarters). On 04 May 1970, (another standard routine) protest/riot erupted at Kent State University, state of Ohio. Ohio National Guardsmen arrived, on line, they were face to face with the "students" (protesters/rioters), stones, bricks were thrown at the Guardsmen; Guardsmen opened fire with their M-1 Garand rifles (WWII Rifle) killing four students. Crosby, Stills, and Nash, commemorated the incident with a song, "...Tin Soldiers, and Nixon's bombing...Four dead in Ohio..."
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Self-defense; they were being stoned (by rocks and bricks).
They faced the humilation of protesters trying to put out the torch over an invation of Tibet. Kind of useless becaus it just a fire on a torch. The protesters are quite dim. If the fire goes out, the torch relay people will just relight it.
Douglas MacArthur
A Shooting at Kent State University in 1970, where guardsmen opened fire on students protesting, leaving 4 students dead.