Interview with James Bronson Rozier, November 7, 1978

Interview Summary

James Bronson Rozier came to the University of Kentucky in 1969 as a freshman political science major. Rozier describes the broad range of people who were interested and concerned about the war in Vietnam. He believes that about a third of the students on campus were considered protesters. Around 1970, Rozier joined the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and later the Student Mobilization Committee (SMC). He was extremely active with the demonstrations and marches on campus.

Rozier describes the general feeling on campus after President Richard M. Nixon sent troops into Cambodia in April of 1970 as well as the outrage felt after the Kent State University killings. He discusses the sense of urgency he felt and describes a march on UK's campus held right after these events. Rozier recalls being arrested for throwing a rock through a window. He also recalls the burning of the old ROTC building.

Rozier believes that the `60s radicalized people in general. He states that these ideas have expanded into women's rights and the labor movements. He recalls that one of the worst aspects of the peace movement was the frustration that he and others felt when the government would not respond. Yet Rozier states that he was very impressed with how people could come together and become a powerful group.

Interview Keyword

College administration College environment College students--Political activity. Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970 Rozier, James Bronson Rozier, James Bronson--Interviews. Student government Student protests Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Interview LC Subject

Anti-war demonstrations Student movements Student protesters University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.