re reluctant to defy militant protesters for fear of retaliation. Following Hayakawa's confrontation with student protesters, 80 percent of the student body returned to classes. However, peace did not last long. In January 1969, one month after order had been restored on campus, the American Federation of Teachers declared a strike and halted instruction. This re-ignited student unrest and, as a precautionary measure, Hayakawa once again called on the San Francisco police department to maintain peace. In March 1969, after two months of negotiations, an agreement was reached with the teacher's union. Hayakawa again conceded some demands but held firm on others. At the same time, militant student leaders relinquished some of their original demands and worked out a settlement. The cooperation Hayakawa had sought was finally being realized. With the media coverage of San Francisco State, Hayakawa launched himself into the public eye. A Gallup poll conducted during the student uprising found S. I. Hayakawa to be the most admired educator in the United States. Among civic clubs and the lay public, Hayakawa represented a no-nonsense position that people identified with. Invited to deliver speeches throughout the country, he used this opportunity to launch a political career that would eventually lead him to the U.S. Senate. ...
