Student Issue, 1970—Vietnam Protest at Billy Graham Crusade

President Richard Nixon, invited by Billy Graham to address the crusade being held in Neyland Stadium, came to campus on May 28 to do so. It was the president’s first appearance on a college campus since the Cambodian crisis had erupted in April, giving rise to widespread student protests (and the deaths of four students at Kent State). Students, faculty, and others protesting Mr. Nixon’s Vietnam policy and actions staged a rally on the university center lawn and marched to the stadium. Inside the stadium, the protestors greeted Nixon with chanted slogans, boos, and placards. Dr. Charles Reynolds, professor of religious studies, recounted in a 1989 Daily Beacon article, “At the South end of the stadium were masses of people waving American flags. On the 50 yard line . . . there were approximately 600 [student protestors] participating who were expressing anti-war sentiment.” The protestors, according to Reynolds, “had planned a nonviolent protest. We had planned to go down front during altar call, kneel, and hold up a peace sign . . . but it became clear that circumstances would not permit this.” Police arrested a group of demonstrators who were moving through the stadium to the exits, according to Reynolds, on charges of disturbing public worship. Forty students, three faculty members, and a few nonstudents were arrested. Eventually, all charges were either dismissed or discharged through payment of nominal fees. Reynolds appealed his case through the appellate structure to the Supreme Court, which did not hear the case.