In the early hours of Thursday, Nov. 16, seven Saint Louis University students decided to do some painting.
What was intended as an advertisement ended up being labeled vandalism as the students painted the “ROTC rock” outside Kelly Auditorium with the words, “Close the SOA.”
While all of the participants in the vandalism were members of the group going to the School of Americas Protest in Ft. Benning, Ga, the rest of the more than 170 students, faculty, staff and alumni going to protest had no role in the vandalism.
“It was not meant as an act of vandalism,” said one participant.
Another explained that he had thought he had seen other groups painting on it aside from the Air Force ROTC.
“We thought it was just a rock that you could publicize on,” he explained. “We just thought ROTC went out of their way to use the rock.”
The rock is actually a form of competition between the five flight groups in ROTC. Each group attempts to keep the rock painted longer than the other groups.
Upon learning about the vandalism, Campus Minister Harry O’Rourke, a leader of the protest group, immediately contacted the ROTC commanding officer as well as students who might know who did it.
After speaking with O’Rourke, the students involved apologized to the ROTC officer, and he accepted their apologies.
According to O’Rourke, Major Chris Lee sent an e-mail to all ROTC members explaining the situation and informing them that no retaliation would occur.
“We made a mistake,” said one participant. “We should apologize.”
Another participant explained that once she realized the rock belonged to ROTC, her impression of what she had done changed to one of regret. “I didn’t want ROTC to take it the wrong way,” she said.
O’Rourke added, “The trip was not a program that is anti-military or anti-ROTC. We’re as supportive of that as the University is.”
“There was no intent to hurt anybody in ROTC,” another said.
The rock was repainted by ROTC later that night. No report was filed with the Department of Public Safety and no charges will be made. ROTC officers could not be reached for comment.
