Neil Young Releases New Version Of 'Ohio'

On May 4 1970, four Kent State University students were killed when the National Guard opened fire on a group of protesters. The tragedy spurred the creation of the song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Now, Neil Young is re-releasing the song with audio from contemporary school shootings. He says it's his way of taking aim at the NRA.

“With no real laws protecting us from guns, and with politicians supporting the NRA because the NRA supports them, we are not well represented,” Young said on his website. “Today’s students are brave, demanding change in violent times. We stand with them. They are us. We are them. This has been going on for too long. My wife Daryl and I put this video together for you to reflect on. Support the students. Support our children. They want protection. No more guns.”

Young said he wanted the song to be a catalyst for people to vote on Tuesday, November 6 in the midterm elections. He asked his listeners, a second time, to "Support the students. Support our children."

Since 1970, Ohio has been part of several American shooting tragedies. Many Northeast Ohioans remember the 2012 attack on Chardon High School students. Three students were killed. Two others were injured. The school shooter — then 17-year-old TJ Lane — was taken quickly into custody.

Young's re-released version of "Ohio" is below.

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Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images