University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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Anti-Pardon Rally Photos By Bob Margolies With the country still wallowing in Watergate after Richard Nixon's late summer resignation from the presidency. the campus' 1974-75 political activity blossomed early last term when President Gerald Ford granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon. The September 9 evening rally to protest Ford's action drew a crowd of nearly 2000 persons. Since the anti-Vietnam demonstration years of the late '60s and early ‘70s. campus protests had become nearly extinct, and when they did occur, attracted sparse crowds. But the outrage at Ford's pardon of the ex president again brought UW students into the streets. Led by Michael Fellner of the newspaper TakeOver, the crowd gathered at the library mall, wound its way through the southeast dorm complex where several hundred others joined the marchers, and proceeded towards the capitol square where several speakers addressed the demonstrators. While gathered at the library mall, a Guerilla Theatre skit entitled Let's Make a Deal was presented, followed by a speech by Mayor Paul Soglm's assistant. James Rowan. Expressing the suspicions of many in attendance. Rowan remarked. I would be willing to bet my life that Nixon was granted the pardon on the day he appointed Ford. Other speakers who addressed the spirited crowd near the First Wisconsin Bank's glass structure on the square voiced a similar questioning of the ethics of the pardon. Al Gedicks. a member of Community Action on Latin America, spoke of Nixon's international interventions. When Richard Nixon resigned his office. said Gedicks. he resigned not only as a mass murderer in Vietnam. but m Latin America as well. Prof. Finley Campbell addretted spirited anti-pardon crowd. When Phil Ball, a Vietnam veteran and a committee coordinator for the mayor, addressed the crowd he proclaimed. It's good to see thousands on the street again out of gut outrage against this hypocrisy.” He demanded total amnesty for all Vietnam war resisters and political prisoners. A UW Afro-American studies professor. Finley Campbell. was the last and most vehement speaker. “We threw the bum out and another bum took his place.” said Campbell angrily. We don't care how high he is. he said of Nixon, we want to indite his ass. The rally concluded with a flag burning on the capitol steps and a visit to the police station for some of the demonstrators. A small confrontation between protesters and police officers after the rally resulted m the arrests of Rick Cap-row. Masel Bennet. Rick Serra. and Michael Fellner. 28

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The Langdon Street area, once dominated by sororities and fraternities experienced a transformation during the late '60s and early ‘70s Cooperative housing groups have invaded the area while as many as 30 local Greek organizations have dissolved. Nearly 500 students on the Madison campus live in privately-run cooperative housing. There are 15 co-ops m thecampus area, ranging from Kibbutz Langdon. a coop highlighting Jewish tradition and heritage, to the Badger Photo co op, complete with dark room facilities and a film library. Co-ops follow the Rochdale Principles, established by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, organizers of a consumers' co-op in 1884 Membership in a co-op is open to anyone and each member has a vote. They also encourage members to share ideas and skills. Members contribute six to eight hours a week to help run the co-op. Kitchen duties, cleaning duties, and administrative jobs are handled by the members. The rent for a member costs between $50 and $80 a month, and includes everything except food. The co-ops usually lease former Greek houses because the buildings are set up for group living. The promise behind the Isaiah 5:8 group's action against Korb and the intentions of several campus coops is reflected in the expressive mural painted on the wall enclosing Le Chateau: Housing is for Living — Not Profit.” Feature By Mary Bogda 27

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First Wisconsin Withdrawal Although the complimentary bookmarks urged customers to Take your money and run. a mass savings withdrawal probably wasn't what the bank officials had in mind. Protesting First Wisconsin National Bank of Madison s service charge increases, about 75 students gathered October 1 for a noon rally in library mall, which ended with a march to the bank s campus branch office at University Avenue and Park Street. First Wisconsin had recently imposed charges for savings account withdrawals and checking account balances under $300. Led by students Michael Zarin and Jeff Olson, protesters sang songs ridiculing the bank and promoting the University of Wisconsin Credit Union. Then with a chant of One. two. three, four, we ll grab our money and slam the door. the group began a march down Park Street following banners and an effigy of the bank carried by leaders. Inside the bank, smoke filled the air as students shouted. They say increase — we say decrease! and burned bankbooks, deposit slips, and play money Zarin further antagonized frowning bank tellers by urging students to close accounts. Police extinguished small fires, but made no moves to end the protest. According to bank officials, service charge increases were designed to eliminate long lines of students and reduce the number of savings withdrawals. Students reportedly avoided opening checking accounts by putting money in savings accounts and making numerous withdrawals instead of writing checks EAST LOBBY 29