Mumma Sees War Causing Civil Disobedience in U.S.

"Our country is on the verge of civil disobedience if the Vietnam war continues on its present course," the Rev. Richard E. Mumma, preacher to the University, said at a Young Democrat-sponsored meeting on Vietnam.

Michael L. Walzer, associate professor of Government, Martin H. Peretz, instructor in Social Studies, and Jared M. Israel '67 joined Mumma in outlining to 130 students what they can do to end the war. They endorsed and explained "Vietnam Summer."

Walzer said that the most immediate problem is to compel the United States government to take unilateral action in ending the war. He dismissed the idea that American society would have to undergo "radical transformation" for the war to end.

"Neither do I believe that the war is a necessary and inevitable product of American society," he said. Walzer invited those present to join his organizing project in North Cambridge.

Peretz took a different tack, emphasizing that dissenters from American policy should not be afraid of the labels of "irresponsibility" and "lack of patriotism.

"If our country acts the way it has been acting in Vietnam," he said, "then we are unpatriotic and should be damned proud of it."

Mumma gave his wholehearted support to young men who think the Vietnam war is unjust and refuse the draft. "I am firmly convinced that Lyndon Johnson cannot bind my conscience or the consciences of young men," he said.