“I was used to being in the minority. Suddenly, there was this whole crowd that agreed with me.”
- John Tinker
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.
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We Mourn original document. Source: Kansas City National Archives
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“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.
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"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." |
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