George Wallace at UNO

 

On Monday, March 3, George Wallace was on campus to address Dr. Richard Marvel’s 1:30 political science class.

 

Most of the area media had representatives on campus by 1 p.m. By 1:30 about 500 persons had gathered in the parking lot outside of the Engineering Building to observe, protest, or perform in the line of duty.

 

At 12 minutes to 2, a roar from the crowd let the class know that George Wallace had arrived on campus. Many of the crowd followed the candidate up to Engineering 259.

 

Most were curious spectators, but some began to chant. “We got some free speech folks out there,” said Wallace in an opening comment . . . laughter from the class.

 

In my judgement, I will capture more Omaha Democrats than Republicans, but that’s only a guess.”

 

He concluded, “get rid of some of these brief-case totin’ bureaucrats; throw some of these brief-cases in the Potomoac River.”

 

Wallace left the building through a side door but some of the crowd saw him and ran at the ’68 Ford containing the candidate. A a half-dozen people tried to beat the rear deck of the car with their fists, but the security force cleared a path and Wallace disappeared . . . somewhat exceeding the university’s 15 mile an hour speed limit. The speaker talked for 25 minutes. Dr. Marvel's 1:30- political science class broke five minutes early.