Leaflets calling on students to protest the United States entering a war in Europe were circulated on college campuses throughout the United States, including the University of Minnesota. They called for student protests to coincide with dates related to WWI, such as the armistice. The national organizations that supported these protests included the Young Men and Women’s Christian Association as well as political, left-wing organizations.

The University administration constantly monitored student activism by collecting names of student protestors, and keeping hand-outs like this one, which was found in the files of President Lotus Coffman.