The National Guard’s Response to Civilian Protests: A History of Tragedy
In recent years, the United States has seen a surge in protests against various issues, from police brutality to immigration policies. These protests have been met with a heavy-handed response from law enforcement, often resulting in violence and arrests. But one particular response to civilian protests has a deadly history that has been made infamous by the Kent State massacre – the deployment of the National Guard.
The National Guard is a reserve military force that is under the dual control of the state and federal government. Its primary role is to assist in domestic emergencies and provide support to the military during times of war. However, throughout history, the National Guard has been called upon to suppress civilian protests, with disastrous consequences.
One of the most well-known examples of the National Guard’s deadly response to civilian protests is the Kent State massacre. In May 1970, students at Kent State University in Ohio were protesting against the Vietnam War and the National Guard was called in to disperse the crowd. The situation quickly escalated, and the National Guard opened fire on the unarmed students, killing four and injuring nine others. This tragic event sparked nationwide outrage and became a symbol of the government’s excessive use of force against its own citizens.
Unfortunately, the Kent State massacre is not an isolated incident. Throughout history, the National Guard has been used to suppress protests and demonstrations, often resulting in violence and loss of life. In 1967, the National Guard was deployed to Detroit to quell riots that erupted after a police raid on an unlicensed bar. The result was 43 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. In 1970, the National Guard was also called in to suppress protests against the Vietnam War at Jackson State University in Mississippi, resulting in the deaths of two students.
Fast forward to present day, and we are seeing a similar pattern emerge. In response to the recent protests against police brutality and systemic racism, President Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to cities across the country. This decision has been met with widespread criticism and concern, as history has shown us the deadly consequences of using the National Guard to suppress civilian protests.
But perhaps the most alarming and dangerous decision made by President Trump is the deployment of the National Guard to suppress anti-ICE protests. In recent years, the Trump administration’s immigration policies have sparked outrage and protests across the country. And now, with the deployment of the National Guard, these protests are being met with a militarized response.
The Intercept recently reported that the Trump administration is planning to deploy 1,000 National Guard troops to cities with large immigrant populations to assist ICE in carrying out immigration enforcement operations. This decision is not only a blatant violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement, but it also puts the lives of innocent civilians at risk.
The National Guard is not trained or equipped to handle civilian protests, and their presence only serves to escalate tensions and incite violence. The use of military force against peaceful protesters is a clear violation of their First Amendment rights and goes against the very principles of democracy.
Furthermore, the deployment of the National Guard to assist ICE in immigration enforcement is a dangerous and misguided decision. It sends a message that the government is willing to use military force against its own citizens, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable. It also perpetuates the harmful and false narrative that immigrants are a threat to our country, when in reality, they are an integral part of our society and economy.
In times of crisis, it is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens and uphold their rights. The deployment of the National Guard to suppress civilian protests and assist in immigration enforcement does the opposite. It puts the lives of innocent civilians at risk and undermines the very foundation of our democracy.
It is time for the government to learn from the mistakes of the past and put an end to the use of the National Guard to suppress civilian protests. We must stand together and demand that our rights and freedoms are respected and protected. We must also demand that the government address the root causes of these protests and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
In the words of Kent State shooting survivor Alan Canfora, “We must never forget the lessons of Kent State and never allow our government to use military force against its own citizens.” Let us honor the lives lost and the lessons learned from the tragic events of the past
