Editor,
I was a bit surprised to see that a former president of the University believes that UNM was spared the violence that plagued some universities in the late 1960s. I wonder how he could draw that conclusion.
The events at the SUB at UNM in 1970 were among the most violent in the nation, probably ranking third in casualties after Kent State and Jackson State Universities. About 11 people were bayoneted by National Guardsmen and most of the victims were reporters and photographers. The student protesters in the SUB were peacefully arrested by regular police officers and none of them were hurt.
I was the manager of KUNM at the time, as well as the chairman of the Student Affairs Committee, which was advisory to the dean of students. The radio station was located in the SUB, and we were quite aware of what was happening at UNM, as well as what was happening on other campuses. Unfortunately, it was not a peaceful conclusion to the demonstration, and several people were left with long-term disabling injuries.
As the lawyer for one of the photographer victims asked the commanding general of the state National Guard, "General, how do you fight bayonets with cameras?" The answer was, "Shouldn't, you'll get stabbed."
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Steve van Dresser
UNM alumnus
