Allison Krause - Fearless Americanstudent who became a victim of his own country. Its history is a vivid example of how a state can spit on its citizens, forgetting about law and morality. And at the same time, this is a story about how the courage and determination of people can repel an arrogant bureaucracy.
The screaming problem of the United States in the early 70s
Many consider America cruel and barbariccountry. There are reasons for this. In its relatively short history, the American government has repeatedly launched military campaigns against other nations and states. In particular, in the early 1970s, the United States, together with South Vietnam, invaded Cambodia.
This event caused a flurry of discontent amongAmerican citizens who did not want their loved ones to kill innocent people. Soon throughout the country, protests began to flare up, aimed at withdrawing troops from Cambodia. At the same time, the hottest rallies were held on the territory of campuses and universities.
Allison Krause: a few moments before the tragedy
No one knows exactly when the next one will happen.life drama. The student at the University of Kent, nineteen-year-old Allison Krause, did not know about it either. Being an excellent pupil and pacifist, she and her friends tried to resist the dictatorial regime of the government. One by one, they wrote petitions to the parliament in order to somehow draw attention to themselves: to say that the American people do not want war in a foreign land, do not want their sons to die there. Alas, their attempts were in vain, as the officials simply ignored all requests and prayers.
Therefore, on May 4, 1970, Allison Krause, along withmy comrades came to a peaceful protest. The action was arranged on the territory of the university, and therefore soon the rest of the students began to join it. The authorities of the city did not like this kind of self-will, but because of this they sent a unit of the National Guard there to calm the students.
And a shot sounded ...
Allison Krause was at the forefront whenplace arrived national guard. Confident in their forces, the military began to shout at the protesters, ordering them to immediately leave the square. But the belief in the rightness of their business did not allow young people to retreat. Closing the ranks, they opposed the armed aggressors.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on whothe first to break the delicate balance between the two sides. Soon the first shot sounded, after which the first body of the student fell to the ground. Panic broke out among the protesters, causing the military to re-open fire. As a result, 9 people were injured, and 4 died. Among the latter was Allison Krause. Photos taken at the scene, the next day circled all the news media, bringing to people such a sad message.
Flowers are better than bullets
Репортаж о гибели студентов заставил американцев get out of their apartments and walk the streets of the country in a protest march. Not even two days passed, and about 20,000 people gathered in Texas Square, demanding a trial over the unlawful shooting.
And on May 9, 1970, an action took place in Washingtonprotest against the war in Cambodia. On this day, more than 100 thousand people decided to express their discontent. At the head of this procession stood a large poster "Flowers better than bullets." If you believe Allison's friends, these are precisely the words the girl said, dying in the square of the University of Kent.
Story finale
As a result, US President Richard Nixon surrendered underonslaught of claims of the people. At first he forbade the troops to advance deep into Cambodia, and then completely removed them from there. And it happened on June 30, 1970. Alas, it was the only victory of the American people. Indeed, despite the fact that the court admitted the mistake of the military, none of them had incurred the deserved punishment. Also, the proceedings were avoided by officials who gave the order to clean up the university square.
However, even today Americans with respectpronounce the name Allison Krause. The film, shot by her friends, constantly reminds them of what this girl died for. Unfortunately, it was only in 1980 that the authorities recognized her as an innocent victim. Apologizing in writing to Allison Krause’s family, they paid them $ 15,000 in compensation.
