Students in Washington

The size of the recent student peace demonstration in Washington only inadequately suggests its importance. Both in organization and ideology the demonstration differed from all that had gone before in the student movement. It is even possible that Turn Toward Peace, the recently formed coalition of peace groups which provided an umbrella for the students, will really come to represent a new turn—if not toward peace than at least toward a vastly more sophisticated and intelligent agitation on such issues as testing and civil defense. The following notes are an attempt to weigh the possibilities and difficulties of the new turn. I am writing them under the impact of a wonderful day in Washington.

1. Over 5000 students were in the...