Witnesses ([[Michael Parenti]]<br>[[Philip Meranto]])

Witnesses
Author	Michael Parenti Philip Meranto
First published	1970-05-12 The Daily Illini
Type	Letter
Source	https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=DIL19700512.1.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------

On 6 May 1970, during a demonstration against the Vietnam War on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Statesian political scientists Michael Parenti and Philip Meranto were arrested by Illinois State Police, beaten, jailed, and charged with five counts each, though additional charges were later made against Meranto. The charges included mob action, disorderly conduct, interference with a public institution of education, assault, resisting arrest, and aggravated battery. Parenti and Meranto were released from pre-trial detention on 7 May after having each paid 10% of a $10,000 bond.

On 12 May, The Daily Illini, a university student newspaper, published a letter by Parenti and Meranto relating to the case.

Text

Witnesses

To the Editor:

The two faculty members undersigned were arrested on Wednesday afternoon at the northeast driveway of the Illini Union during the "garbage truck incident" and charged with five counts each, including aggravated battery, which is a felony.

Could any eyewitnesses who have not yet sent their names in and who had a clear view of the events leading up to and including our arrests please contact us.

Would any person who has in his possession photographs, moving films of the incident and anyone possessing any tapes of public statements, speeches and lectures made by either of us, please contact us.

The number to call is 333-3340, the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and leave a message with our secretary.

PHILIP MERANTO

MICHAEL PARENTI