Protesters Disrupt the National Convocation of the Challenge of Building Peace

Broadcaster Chet Huntley opens the luncheon session at the first National Convocation of the Challenge of Building Peace recorded at the New York Hilton Hotel. Huntley speaks broadly about efforts made towards attaining world peace on behalf of the UN, US Politicians, scientists, educators, and students.

He then calls J. William Fulbright, Senator and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to the podium. However, before he can begin his speech, protesters appear on stage chanting, "Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh, N.L.F. is going to win!"

According to an article in the New York Times, the group - identified as the Veterans and Reservists to End the War in Vietnam - wear pig masks, carry Vietcong flags, and deposit two pig heads on the tables in front of the stunned speakers. At first, Fulbright and co-chairman Stewart Rawlings Mott acknowledge the protest with amusement. "You never come to New York if you don't get interesting meetings. I suppose that's one reason we just can't get along without New York because it adds spice and interest to our life," Fulbright jokes.

However, as Fulbright attempts to continue his speech, the interruptions persist, and Mott invites one representative to make a one-minute speech, in the spirit of freedom of expression. The speaker does not identify himself and insists that he speaks for no organization. He accuses corporations like General Motors and Lockheed of "suppressing and murdering people all over the world" while lining the pockets of government officials. He warns, "This country is riding roughshod, economically stifling people in South America in Asia and in Africa. Until we stop the power elite of this country from doing that, we will not have peace, and there are people, and they are my brothers and they are here - we're going to pull it down around your heads!"

Fulbright once again tries to continue his remarks in response to the protest despite continued heckling. Flustered, he yields the podium to Senator Jacob K. Javits and George S. McGovern who he hopes "will not arouse the same interest" from hecklers.

Javits is not amused! He asserts that this violent and tasteless protest does not advance the cause of peace and refuses to pause for heckling. He calls for support of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and limiting of an anti-ballistic missile system. He delivers a message (presumably to the protesters): "One of the big problems of all liberal groups is that they are magnificently idealistic, but they are so long term that nobody could care less. Here is an immediate opening in which the peace movement in this country can really can get started in a very tangible way, with a very practical result, and with a real likelihood of success."

McGovern also contributes his disapproval of the protester's interruptions and, like Javits refuses to respond to continued heckling. He comments on the concluding of the Vietnam War and calls for cuts in military spending and the anti-ballistic missile system in support for a focus on domestic issues.

The title on the back of the box describes the session as, "U.S. Senators speak out - Bedlam breaks out during Senator Fulbright Address."

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150826
Municipal archives id: T7122