By Erasmus Baxter
Protests, strikes, invading Canadians, 1970 had it all. We pick up less than a week after our last column. Western was still in uproar over American involvement in Cambodia and the killing of four students at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard. On the bright side, the next Tuesday was declared “National Funk Day,” with students being encouraged to wear their “funkiest” clothing.
Canadian Invasion, Interstate Five Blocked (Again)
In an ironic twist, there was an outbreak of violence at the Blaine Peach Arch. The Front reported that “400 to 600 Canadian youths” crossed the border into the United States. They apparently intended to symbolically “invade” the US in response to American involvement in Cambodia by marching 22.1 miles down Interstate 5, the distance US Troops were going into Cambodia.
For some reason the American border patrol did not try to stop the group, raising a lot of questions about what their job actually is. The Canadian invaders then marched into downtown Blaine where they took down the American flag at the post office.
The Washington State Patrol responded to support the Whatcom Sheriff’s office, but perhaps fearing an international incident, neither agency tried to stop the Canadians. This left the defense of the American homeland to the proud people of Blaine, Washington, who responded by throwing rocks, fists and obscenities.
After the Canadians blocked Interstate Five, around 100 Americans, including the Blaine Police Department, charged the Maple Syrup Menace, leading to an all-out brawl. Several people were injured on either side, including a Blaine police officer.
While the Canadians held their position at the border, the state patrol and sheriff’s department finally interceded and kept the American crowd 200 yards away from the border.
The Canadian mob then went wild. They built a bonfire in the middle of the freeway, overturned monuments in the border park and splashed paint on the peace arch. When a freight train of cars bound for Canada passed by, they pelted it with rocks, causing substantial damage to the cars. Eventually, the mob dispersed and returned to their cars on the Canadian side of the border after having blocked the Interstate for four hours.
The next day, over 600 Canadians assembled on their side of the Peach Arch for a peace demonstration. They sang songs and placed flowers inside the peace arch. On the American side, over 150 Americans, some armed with bats and pipes, stood watch. They remembered.
Vietnam Protests Continue
Less than a week after 500 protesters marched from Western’s campus and blocked Interstate Five, around 1,500 protesters marched through downtown to a rally next to the Federal Building. Speakers included Associated Students legislators, a local TV broadcaster, and a member of the Seattle Liberation Front. The march began as 1,200 students and grew in size as it traveled through downtown Bellingham.
Student Congress Vows to Continue Strike. Students: “Meh.”
The AS president, the Front managing editor, and two AS legislators flew to San Jose to attend the First National Student Congress.
The congress was attended by delegates from 99 colleges, including 30 from outside of California. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of US Forces from South-East Asia, the release of all American political prisoners, and the end of universities cooperation with the Pentagon for research or recruiting purposes.
On their return, Western’s delegation vowed to continue the student strike at Western in concert with other colleges across the country. They also pledged to work with other colleges in Washington and Oregon to block a possible nerve gas shipment.
However, department chairs reported that class attendance was largely normal, despite the supposed strike.