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Sat, 04.19.1969

Student Takeover At Cornell University Occurs

On this date, in 1969, more than 80 Cornell Afro American Society members took over Willard Straight Hall, Cornell University’s student union.

The takeover had been prompted by a reprimand of three Black students for an incident the previous December and a cross burning (both incidents occurred on the last day) in front of the Black women's cooperative and other cases of alleged racism. A deal was eventually cut between protesters and Cornell administrators, and the students left the building a day later.

Five days later, a counterprotest occurred when 16 professors decided not to teach until order was restored at Cornell.

New Poem Each Day

Poetry Corner

I have sown beside all waters in my day. I planted deep, within my heart the fear That wind or fowl would take the grain away. A BLACK MAN TALKS OF REAPING by Arna Bontemps.
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