EXHIBIT
PROTEST
CIVIL RIGHTS AND VIETNAM
In this exhibit you can learn how Virginia Tech students responded to the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War--from a dispute over whether to lower the flag after MLK's assassination to a student occupation of Williams Hall. By Jenni Gallagher and Paul Quigley.
Following President Nixon's escalation of the war in Vietnam, student protests erupted around the country. On May 4, 1970 four students were killed at Kent State. At Virginia Tech, tensions heightened between cadet and civilian students, and in April and May 1970 a series of protests took place on campus. In October, 1969 a group of 500 students and community members participated in the national Vietnam Moratorium. They marched though campus with a coffin and a sign reading “45,352 DEAD!" Students lowered the flag to half-mast, but the administration and the police raised it again.
The following April witnessed a protest by about 200 civilian students, who blocked the corps’ drill practice, linking arms around them to prevent them from continuing their exercises. Anti-war protestors marched alongside the cadets carrying American flags. The administration issued an injunction against eight students and two faculty members for “committing acts of riotous, disorderly, and disruptive conduct in substantial interference with the orderly and peaceful conduct of the activities of said Virginia Polytechnic Institute."
Anti-war protestors marching outside of Burruss Hall. Anti-war protestors marching outside of Burruss Hall. Civilians and the Corps clash on the drillfield. Civilian activists link arms around drilling corpsmen. The following April witnessed a protest by about 200 civilian students, who blocked the corps’ drill practice, linking arms around them to prevent them from continuing their exercises.
Anti-war protestors marched alongside the cadets carrying American flags. The administration issued an injunction against eight students and two faculty members for “committing acts of riotous, disorderly, and disruptive conduct in substantial interference with the orderly and peaceful conduct of the activities of said Virginia Polytechnic Institute."
REMAKING VPI:
THE HAHN YEARS STUDENT PROTESTS: OVERVIEW "OCCUPYING WILLIAMS HALL"
