The Draft is Stopping
Anti-War Movement
The Student Mobilization Committee was formed in 1966 "to coordinate opposition to U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam among college and high school students." Originally named The Vietnam Day Committee the SMC organized protests on campuses and in cities. While the group opposed the war, generally, it specifically focused on the draft. The SMC is also notable as one of the first Vietnam-era anti-war groups that included both civilians and soldiers. This button promotes the December 4-8, 1967, "Stop the Draft Week" that took place in New York City. Demonstrations that week resulted in 585 arrests, including Dr. Benjamin Spock.
Student Mobilization Committee
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1967
Button
Physical Object
Strike! April 26
Anti-Vietnam War Movement
On April 26, 1968, the Student Mobilization Committee organized an international student strike, including teach-ins and sit-ins addressing the Vietnam War, anti-imperialism, racism, and the draft. Some have estimated that as many as a million high school and college students participated in the protest.
The Student Mobilization Committee, originally named The Vietnam Day Committee, was formed in 1966 “to coordinate opposition to U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam among college and high school students.” The group, which was active until it disbanded in 1970, organized protests on campuses and in cities. It is also credited with being one of the first anti-war organizations of the 1960s-era to include civilians and soldiers alike.
Student Mobilization Committee
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1968
Button
Physical Object
Vietnam for the Vietnamese
Anti-Vietnam War Movement
This button contains a popular slogan used during the antiwar movement by New Left organizations such as the Student Peace Union and the Student Mobilization Committee, which targeted anti-imperialism as well as an end to nuclear arms in the age of the Cold War.
Student Mobilization Committee
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
ca. late-1960s
Button
Physical Object
GI Rally October 26
Anti-Vietnam War Movement
This button was made for the first GIs for Peace march and rally held in Chicago in 1968. Military veterans and civilians were invited to exchange views on the war in Vietnam. The event took place at the Midland Hotel from 4pm to midnight. A flyer from the same event lists: entertainment, refreshments, active duty GI speakers, open microphone for all servicemen, Vietnam veterans, rock bands, Pete Seeger, clergy, films, speakers from the antiwar movement, speakers from black liberation movement and free antiwar literature. The organizers of the event were Chicago GI Weeks Committee, which included a coalition of groups, like Veterans for Peace in Vietnam, Student Mobilization Committee, the Chicago Peace Council, National Mobilization Committee, High School Students Against the War, Chicago Area Draft Resistors and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Chicago Branch)
unknown
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1968
Button
en-US
Physical Object
ca. 1967
Bring the Troops Home Now
Anti-Vietnam War Movement
This anti-war poster was designed by Nancy Conor for the Student Mobilization Committee, a national organization that sought to foment student anti-war activism on U.S. campuses during the early-1970s.
Student Mobilization Committee
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
poster
Third World People Unite Against the War
Anti-Vietnam War Movement
This poster, published by the Third World Committee of the Student Mobilization Committee quotes Malcolm X: “What America is doing in South Vietnam is criminal... we see where the problem of Vietnam is the problem of the oppressed and the oppressor... Our action will be one of unity and in the unity of oppressed people is actually the strength, and the best strength of the oppressed people…” The Student Mobilization Committee was a member of the National Peace Action Coalition.
Third World Committee - Student Mobilization Committee
Roz Payne
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
ca. late-1960s
poster