50th commemoration of Kent State shooting canceled

The names of those killed on May 4, 1970, are displayed on the B’nai B’rith Hillel Marker in the parking lot of Prentice Hall on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

Kent State University announced today that the May 4, 1970, 50th Commemoration which was to take place May 1 through 4, has been canceled, in accordance with the order of Amy Acton, M.D., director of Ohio Department of Health, to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The program was scheduled to remember Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer (who was from Boardman), and William Schroeder, who were killed and nine other Kent State students who were wounded when the Ohio National Guard fired on students during an anti-war protest. 

A virtual May 4 Commemoration program is being planned, and details will be announced at a later time.

Kent State President Todd Diacon stated in the press release, “...the health, safety, and well-being of everyone is our first priority.”

The university asks visitors to reschedule their plans, visiting the May 4 National Historic Landmark site only after the national public health emergency has passed, and the university has resumed on-campus operations.

Refunds are being issued for the Commemoration Benefit Concert with Joe Walsh and David Crosby and the luncheon featuring historian Eric Foner. For up-to-date information regarding the virtual commemoration, please visit www.kent.edu/may4kentstate50.