Why protesters are the people to blame for kent state massacre

Read this report for the answer. http://dept.kent.edu/sociology/lewis/lewihen.htm. WHAT EVENTS LED DIRECTLY TO THE SHOOTINGS? Shortly before noon, General Canterbury made the decision to order the demonstrators to disperse. A Kent State police officer standing by the Guard made an announcement using a bullhorn. When this had no effect, the officer was placed in a jeep along with several Guardsmen and driven across the Commons to tell the protestors that the rally was banned and that they must disperse. This was met with angry shouting and rocks, and the jeep retreated. Canterbury then ordered his men to load and lock their weapons, tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd around the Victory Bell, and the Guard began to march across the Commons to disperse the rally. The protestors moved up a steep hill, known as Blanket Hill, and then down the other side of the hill onto the Prentice Hall parking lot as well as an adjoining practice football field. Most of the Guardsmen followed the students directly and soon found themselves somewhat trapped on the practice football field because it was surrounded by a fence. Yelling and rock throwing reached a peak as the Guard remained on the field for about ten minutes. Several Guardsmen could be seen huddling together, and some Guardsmen knelt and pointed their guns, but no weapons were shot at this time. The Guard then began retracing their steps from the practice football field back up Blanket Hill. As they arrived at the top of the hill, twenty-eight of the more than seventy Guardsmen turned suddenly and fired their rifles and pistols. Many guardsmen fired into the air or the ground. However, a small portion fired directly into the crowd. Altogether between 61 and 67 shots were fired in a 13 second period.

Buckeye's answer was unresponsive to the question, which was why were the protestors blamed for the killings at Kent State University. To understand why the students were faulted, you first have to get into the mindset of the era. The Vietnam War may have been unpopular, but protesting college students were even more unpopular. They were often seen as spoiled, privileged brats squandering opportunities that many blue collar workers never had. Many Americans could not relate to the lifestyle of protesters, the disruptions on other campuses, or the perceived anti-American sentiment of those who disagreed with their government. That was how Americans felt before the shootings. They were predisposed to blame the students and support the National Guard. And when the Kent State shootings happened, the Guard put out stories that they responded to sniper fire (not true) or they fired in self-defense (not supported by the evidence). There were even many parents of Kent State students who told their children they would have supported the Guard if they joined the demonstration. James Michener documented this in his book "Kent State," which otherwise was criticized as being unreliable. The best book on the subject--and the most reliable--is William A. Gordon's "Four Dead in Ohio."  

The cops should have hauled them all off in paddy wagons, charged them with misdemeanor criminal trespass, arraigned them monthsor a year later, and tried them all by jury.  The fast bust would take the wind out of any protest.

The slow trickle back to society over the next year or so (and punitive expulsion from Kent State) would have destroyed their morale and caused them all to think again about doing anything that dumb again.

It might be a handy way to deal with other such protests.  They can afford counsel.  They can afford to wait a year before arraignment too.