Allison Krause is a fearless American student who became a victim of her own country. Her story is a vivid example of how a state can spit on its citizens, forgetting about the law and morality. And at the same time, this is a story about how the courage and determination of people are able to repulse the arrogant bureaucracy.
The glaring problem of the US in the early 70s
Many consider America a cruel and barbaric country. There are reasons for this. During its relatively short history, the American government has repeatedly launched military campaigns against other peoples and states. In particular, in the early 70s, the United States, together with South Vietnam, invaded Cambodia.
This event caused a flurry of discontent among American citizens who did not want their loved ones to kill innocent people. Soon, protests began to erupt across the country aimed at withdrawing troops from Cambodia. At the same time, the hottest rallies were held on campuses and universities.
Allison Krause: moments before the tragedy
No one knows exactly when the next life drama will happen. Nor did a student at the University of Kent, 19-year-old Allison Krause, know about it. Being an excellent student and a pacifist, she, along with her friends, tried to resist the dictatorial regime of the government. One by one, they wrote petitions to Parliament in order to somehow attract 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 pleas.
So on May 4, 1970, Allison Krause, along with her comrades, went out to a peaceful protest. The action was arranged on the territory of the university, and therefore other students soon began to join it. The city authorities did not like such self-will, and therefore they sent a unit of the national guard there in order to calm the students.
And a shot rang out…
Allison Krause was at the forefront when the National Guard arrived on the scene. Confident in their abilities, the military began to shout at the protesters, ordering them to immediately leave the square. But faith in the rightness of their cause did not allow young people to retreat. Closing ranks, they opposed the armed aggressors.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on who was the first to upset the delicate balance between the two sides. Soon the first shot was fired, followed by the first body of a student falling to the ground. Panic broke out among the protestersfor which the military opened fire again. As a result, 9 people were injured and 4 died. Among the latter was Allison Krause. Photos taken at the scene were all over the news the next day, conveying such a sad message to the people.
Flowers are better than bullets
Reporting about the deaths of students forced Americans to leave their apartments and march through the streets of the country in a protest march. In less than two days, about 20,000 people gathered in Texas Square demanding a lawsuit over the illegal shooting.
And on May 9, 1970, a protest against the war in Cambodia was held in Washington. On this day, more than 100 thousand people decided to express their dissatisfaction. At the head of this procession stood out a large poster "Flowers are better than bullets." According to Allison's friends, these are the words the girl said as she died in Kent University Square.
The end of the story
As a result, US President Richard Nixon surrendered under the onslaught of the claims of the people. First, he forbade the troops to move deep into Cambodia, and then completely withdrew them from there. And it happened on June 30, 1970. Alas, it was the only victory for the American people. After all, despite the fact that the court recognized the mistake of the military, none of them suffered the deserved punishment. Officials who ordered the cleanup of the university square also avoided proceedings.
However, even today, Americans respectfully pronounce the name Allison Krause. The film made by her friends constantlyreminds them of what this girl died for. Unfortunately, only in 1980 the country's authorities recognized her as an innocent victim. They apologized in writing to Allison Krause's family and paid them $15,000 in compensation.
