"When the students were killed at Kent State, the cast voted to do a demonstration from the stage, and I abstained"

Holly Near's quote is a reflection on the occasions that occurred at Kent State University in 1970. On May 4th, four trainees were eliminated by the Ohio National Guard during a demonstration against the Vietnam War. In response to this catastrophe, Near's cast voted to do a presentation from the stage, however Near avoided the vote. This quote reveals Near's regard for the gravity of the circumstance and her understanding of the power of her platform. By abstaining from the vote, Near was revealing her uniformity with the victims of the tragedy and her dedication to honoring their memory. Her decision to abstain from the vote was a powerful statement of her beliefs and a tip of the value of defending what is right.