At the Schoolhouse Gate
December 16, 1965
"People who had scholarships were afraid of losing them."
- Christopher Eckhardt
Source: Des Moines Public Schools
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Due to fear of punishment, most students hesitated. Scared, never disciplined before and aware of civil disobedience yet undeterred, Mary Beth Tinker went to school with a petition and a black armband.
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Her math teacher sent her to the principal’s office where intimidated, she removed the armband but was suspended anyways.
"Eichmann said- 'I only followed orders.'" Following his conscience though trembling, Christopher Eckhardt wore the black armband and went directly to the principal’s office, facing threats by another student on the way.
"The captain of the football team attempted to rip it off." |
Source: Des Moines Public Schools
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The school suspended him as he refused to remove the armband despite warnings of blemishing his academic record.
"The counselor asked if I wanted to go to college, and said that colleges didn’t accept protesters. The vice principal asked if ‘I wanted a busted nose’. He said seniors would not like the armband. Tears welled up in my eyes because I was afraid of violence."
- Christopher Eckhardt
Click pictures to enlarge.
December 17, 1965
Source: Des Moines Public Schools
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“I didn’t wear mine that first day because I still wanted to talk it over first.” John Tinker and the suspended students first attempted contacting the school superintendent to discuss policy change. The superintendent declined, considering the students’ protest unimportant.
“After that, I felt clear about what I was going to do the next day.” |
John Tinker wore the black armband the next day after justifying his beliefs to his father. The principal sent him home as he refused to remove the armband.