In May 1970, students at Kent State University and Jackson State University were shot and killed while protesting the Vietnam War. Fifty years later, members of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks and Veterans for Peace gathered at Peace Park to remember the lives lost in the shootings and the rededication of the park.
Paul D. Blackman, co-founder of Mizzou Student Mobilization, changed the name and led the dedication of the park 50 years ago. McAlester Park officially became Peace Park in April 1970.
“We needed something to say this campus was against the war and for something: peace,” Blackman said.
Mark Haim, the director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, and Dan Viets, former vice president of Mizzou StuMo, organized this event to commemorate those killed at Kent State and Vietnam.