Today in Wheeling History: February 13, 1971--Members of the Wheeling College community stage an anti-war protest at Market Plaza in downtown Wheeling (1971).
Despite snowy conditions, approximately 50-60 Wheeling College students, faculty members, and others gathered at Market Plaza in downtown Wheeling to protest the expansion of the Vietnam War into Laos. The demonstration was organized by the Wheeling College Steering Committee to End the War in Indochina, which had formed just two days earlier on February 11 during a meeting of about 125 college community members in Swint Lounge. Key participants included faculty member Annette Zavoreei, Hassaam Zavoreei, student Larry Dorsch of Weirton, and Lorenzo Romuti. The protesters distributed leaflets criticizing the invasion of Laos and carried placards urging an end to the conflict. While they had initially sought permission from Assistant City Manager James Frederick to march from Chapline and Sixteenth Streets to the plaza, they were unable to secure a parade permit in time. The protest occurred during the presidency of Rev. Frank R. Haig, S.J., who led Wheeling College at the time. The demonstration came just one day after West Liberty State College President Emeritus Dr. Paul N. Elbin discussed the war's impact on American campuses during Wheeling College's 17th Founder's Day dinner, which was also attended by William Loftus (development director) and Msgr. F. J. Schwartz of the Diocese of Wheeling.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nwe34) (https://tinyurl.com/4r3una4m), Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nwe34) (https://tinyurl.com/tu9tyr8b), Wheeling University (https://tinyurl.com/2p9rvy96)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
Despite snowy conditions, approximately 50-60 Wheeling College students, faculty members, and others gathered at Market Plaza in downtown Wheeling to protest the expansion of the Vietnam War into Laos. The demonstration was organized by the Wheeling College Steering Committee to End the War in Indochina, which had formed just two days earlier on February 11 during a meeting of about 125 college community members in Swint Lounge. Key participants included faculty member Annette Zavoreei, Hassaam Zavoreei, student Larry Dorsch of Weirton, and Lorenzo Romuti. The protesters distributed leaflets criticizing the invasion of Laos and carried placards urging an end to the conflict. While they had initially sought permission from Assistant City Manager James Frederick to march from Chapline and Sixteenth Streets to the plaza, they were unable to secure a parade permit in time. The protest occurred during the presidency of Rev. Frank R. Haig, S.J., who led Wheeling College at the time. The demonstration came just one day after West Liberty State College President Emeritus Dr. Paul N. Elbin discussed the war's impact on American campuses during Wheeling College's 17th Founder's Day dinner, which was also attended by William Loftus (development director) and Msgr. F. J. Schwartz of the Diocese of Wheeling.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nwe34) (https://tinyurl.com/4r3una4m), Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nwe34) (https://tinyurl.com/tu9tyr8b), Wheeling University (https://tinyurl.com/2p9rvy96)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
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