Antiwar Demonstration, Boston Common - 1969

According to the Harvard Crimson on October 16, 1969 “More than 100,000 demonstrators demanding an immediate end to the war in Vietnam massed on the Boston Common yesterday in the largest anti-war demonstration in New England history.

‘Let's stop saving face and begin saving lives,’ said Sen. George S. McGovern (D-S.D.), the principal speaker at the rally. Urging immediate withdrawal, McGovern said, ‘To those who say this will cause a bloodbath in Vietnam. I say there is a bloodbath now.’”

The war continued on, however, and finally ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 when NVA tanks rolled through the city.

 Here are some of the faces I photographed at this Moratorium to End the War.

In her clown-white-face, her army tunic, and the blue peace symbol on her forehead this young lady stood perfectly still (I never heard her speak or saw her move) and presented her Broadside and Free Press. The journal was an underground paper dedicated to folk music and other topics. This issue of November 22 – October 22, 1969 offered titles such as Children's crusade or rock 'em politics, Gay Liberation Movement, LSD: Psychedelics and beyond, and The iron horse [music], to give you an idea of its focus. It was certainly a different time.

Photo Credits: All photos by Harold O. Wilson