The Washington Peace March

“I was used to being in the minority. Suddenly, there was this whole crowd that agreed with me.”
- John Tinker
Energized, both returned home resolved to publicize antiwar message.
Click pictures to enlarge.

The Plan

In a meeting of Unitarian Youth group, some 60 students decided to wear black armbands to schools from December 16, 1965 to January 1, 1966 to mourn the dead on both sides of the war and in support of the Christmas Truce proposed by Senator Robert Kennedy.
Click Pictures to Pause 
We Mourn original document. Source: Kansas City National Archives

The School Responds

“Absolutely opposed to this type of demonstration within the confines of the school.”
​- Ora Niffenegger, President School Board 
Alerted of the students' plan by an article, to avoid controversy, the principals censored the article announcing a “no armband” policy, and suspension of students in violation. Mary Beth Tinker’s math teacher discussed the war, discouraging students’ protest, whereas at Roosevelt High there were serious threats of consequences.
Click Pictures to Pause 
"One Roosevelt gym teacher and a football coach, Mr. Prior, announced this ban during 5th and 6th periods Wednesday, Dec. 15. Mr. Prior also said that instead of the regular pep yell, they would yell, 'Beat the Viet Cong.' He added that students could look around and if they saw any students not giving the yell, then the other students could do what they wanted to with those kids who did not give the yell -- he said he would turn his back and not watch."
- Bruce Clark - Roosevelt High student
 

​"Mr. Prior had continued his proatice (sic) in classes today. He also demanded in one class to know 'if any Viet Nam rat finks' were present. He also pointed to several students in a class yesterday and labeled them as ‘pinkos’ in front of the other students.”
​- Christopher Eckhardt

​
Source for quotes: Mrs. Lorena Tinker's notes