Resistance and Revolution: The Anti-Vietnam War Movement at the University of Michigan, 1965-1972

John Vandermeer (U of M Student Activist)

John Vandermeer attended the University of Michigan as a graduate student from 1966 until 1970 studying Biology. He was a participant in the anti-Vietnam War Movement on the University of Michigan campus. Professor Vandermeer was a founding member of the Ann Arbor chapter of Science for Peace, which is a coalition of scientists, engineers, social scientists, and academics who work together in order to promote peace and prosperity worldwide. John Vandermeer later became an activist against the United States wars in Central America. He is now a professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, a member of the New World Agriculture and Ecology Groups, and is an active participant in the environmental movement.

Interview of John Vandermeer by Chris Haughey and Maria Buczkowski on April 7th, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Part 1: John Vandermeer discusses when he attended the University of Michigan, what he studied, how and why he bacame involved in the anti-war movement, how he found out about anti-war demonstations taking place, and where the events mostly occurred.

Part 2: John Vandermeer discusses what type of political organizations he was a part of, scientists' role in the anti-war movement, and the beginning of the organization, Science for the People.

Part 3: John Vandermeer discusses the military research that was conducted at the University of Michigan and elsewhere, as well as his involvement in stopping military research at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

Part 4: John Vandermeer discusses other types of protests he was involved in at the University of Michigan, Science for the People's role on the University of Michigan campus, and the reception from students and faculty to the anti-war movement. 

Part 5: John Vandermeer discusses the how other university campuses compared to the University of Michigan during the anti-war movement, as well as the legacy of the anti-war movement at the University of Michigan, elsewhere, and to him personally.

John Vandermeer (U of M Student Activist)