Alan Canfora, one of the nine wounded survivors of the Kent State shootings 50 years ago, is being remembered for his legacy of activism.
For decades after the Kent State shootings, pushed for both recognition and transparency about the events of May 4, 1970.
Canfora helped found the and was a driving force in getting the university to recognize and commemorate the shootings.
鈥淗e鈥檚 really why the visitor鈥檚 center is in existence. He鈥檚 why the university commemorates May 4 every year. He鈥檚 why we have the memorials. He really kept pushing the university to do the right thing. It鈥檚 because of him we are where we are,鈥� May 4 Director Mindy Farmer said.
Farmer said Canfora was the foremost authority on what happened on May 4, regularly returning to the site of the shootings to give tours and speak.
鈥淎nd he kept pushing. He would write letters. When he thought the university was doing the wrong thing, he would let them know. When he thought they were doing the right thing, he would let them know,鈥� she said.
Farmer said he will be forever memorialized in a photo taken just before the shootings in 1970. It shows Canfora waiving a black flag above his head as members of the Ohio National Guard aim their rifles in his direction.
