R.I. P. Julian Bond

Julian Bond was an ordinary man, a gentle humorous guy, a civil rights leader, teacher, writer, poet and a Georgia state legislator in his time.  
"He advocated not just for African Americans, but for every group, indeed every person subject to oppression and discrimination, because he recognized the common humanity in us all." The Southern Poverty Law Center where he served as President in the 70's said :
"With Julian's passing, the country has lost one of its most passionate and eloquent voices for the cause of justice," the center's statement read. "He advocated not just for African Americans, but for every group, indeed every person subject to oppression and discrimination, because he recognized the common humanity in us all."
In a White House statement, President Obama said: "Julian Bond was a hero and, I'm privileged to say, a friend. Justice and equality was the mission that spanned his life — from his leadership of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, to his founding role with the Southern Poverty Law Center, to his pioneering service in the Georgia legislature and his steady hand at the helm of the NAACP."

 For me Julian Bond made a huge impact upon my own life...while I was at Westminster College in Pennsylvania I participated in a anti - war demonstration along with members of the peace group I belonged to.  We were a very tiny group unaffiliated with any national anti-war groups...we called ourselves "Peace , Inc. " and attained recognition as a formal campus group after  a lot of hard  work.  During the Parent's Day weekend in the fall of 1970 we staged a tiny demonstration against our country's Vietnam War.  We pounded several white crosses on a hillside overlooking the football stadium where a game took place that day.  Our sign said "How Many More Must Die?"  At that time we were scorned on the campus...even spit upon. Julian Bond had spoken at our campus the night before.  Little did we know that day however, that while we were sitting on that hillside he quietly sat down with us and joined in our protest.   It was later looking at my college year book that I saw him in the picture taken by a year book staff person.  Sitting right there with us.  He just was soft spoken and never announced that he was there.  I already admired and respected him for his views, but after that I admired him even more and always listened to his words and views. . I am thankful for having felt a little bit of a personal connection with such a fine crusader for civil rights and justice and equality for all peoples. May he rest in PEACE.