Bruce Klunder of Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Civil Rights Martyr

"Who can tell them “hold your shoulders straighter”. Who’s had tread marks
cross his back?"
-from a Susan Webber song.
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Civil Rights Demonstration in Cleveland

1964:

Police struggle with a woman reacting to the death of campus minister Bruce Klunder, who was deliberately run over by a bulldozer in Cleveland, Ohio, while peacefully protesting the building of yet another segregated high school.

You can read a sermon by a seminary classmate of his here. The dated folksong Treadmarks, by Susan Weber, was about Mr. Klunder.

 

 I'm on my way (I'm on my way) And I won't turn back! (and I won't turn back!)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way)
And I won't turn back! (and I won't turn back!)
I'm on my way, great God!
I'm on my way to Freedom land
I'm on my way to Freedom land I'm on my way to Freedom land I'm on my way, great GodI'm on my way!I asked my brother sister to come with me  I asked my brother sister to come with meI asked my brother sister to come with me
I'm on my way, Etc.
If he (she) says no, I'll go alone
I'm on my way, great God
I ask my boss to let me go I ask my boss to let me goI ask my boss to let me go
I'm on my way, great GodIf he says no, I'll go anyhow
If he says no, I'll go anyhow If he says no, I'll go anyhow
II'm on my way, great God

-Pete Seeger. Civil Rights Era

 
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