Thousands of draft-aged youths burned their draft cards or tried to hand them back in country-wide demonstrations yesterday [October 16] against military call-up and the Viet Nam war. Dozens of people were arrested including folk singer Joan Baez. The demonstrations were organised by an anti-Viet Nam war body called “The Resistance” in a campaign labelled “stop the draft week”. In New York more than 1,000 attempted to hand in their cards but police blocked the way. The draftees then sent the cards by mail to Washington. In Oakland, California, hundreds made a similar attempt. Police dispersed them but they later held a meeting at the University of California. Around 125 including Miss Baez were detained. Authorities fixed bail at $660 (Rs. 4950) and only a few could produce the amount. Most demonstrators arrested were still in prison early to-day [October 17]. At San Francisco, 200 draftees tried to give their cards to the District Attorney who refused to accept them. Another 200 at Philadelphia demonstrated outside Independence Hall within sight of the Liberty Bell. Boston protesters, numbering 2,500, walked through the city before handing over cards to priests and other clergy. Seventy publicly burned their cards, put the ashes in an urn and placed it on a church altar. In several cities, counter-demonstrations were organised but they lasted only a short while.
