5 Extreme Protests You Won’t Believe

Published September 17, 2014
Updated January 12, 2018
Extreme Protests Kent State

Source: Slate

In a way, every major event in history can be reduced to a tale of power struggle and protest. Successful protests have struck down reprehensible policies like Apartheid, and brought attention to previously unknown issues like the many missing indigenous women in Canada.

The extreme protests featured here cover a wide array of issues in different ways. From disturbing public art displays to physical backlashes, these protests shocked the world for a number of reasons. And once you learn about them, you’ll find them difficult to forget.

Kent State, Ohio

Urban Outfitters Kent State

Source: WDSU

In light of Urban Outfitters’ recent gaffe of selling this bloodied Kent State sweatshirt, it’s important that the Kent State killings be understood, so that survivors and families of the deceased aren’t treated so flippantly. On May 4, 1970, four Kent State University students were killed and nine more were injured during a Vietnam War protest.

Kent State Occupation

Source: Slate

Following the burning of an ROTC building by an unknown perpetrator, the National Guard was called to the campus. The Ohio National Guard opened fire on the students and the campus. Sixty-seven rounds were fired in thirteen seconds.

Extreme Protests Kent State Run

Source: Slate

Students and faculty sought cover and tried to dive out of the way of the National Guard’s bullets. Bill Schroder was shot at this location, only to die later. He was never part of the protest. Sandra Scheuer, also killed that day, was walking to class when she was shot through the throat.

Extreme Protests Cleary

Source: Slate

Wounded student John Cleary was attended to by other Kent State students, including a Vietnam veteran. They saved his life. Following the public outcry against the events that transpired at the Ohio university, the National Guard was forced to reassess their crowd control measures following the incident. The Army has since developed less than lethal methods of dispersing demonstrators.

National Guard Kent State

Source: Slate

author
Susan Sims
author
When she's not fighting crime or cleaning the garbage disposal, you can find Susan writing about travel, science and things that go bump in the night.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.