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#OTD: Cornell’s Afro-American Society Takes Over Willard Straight Hall in 1969
Description
On this day in 1969, members of Cornell’s Afro-American Society took over Willard Straight Hall to protest racism, judicial bias, and the university’s slow movement on Black studies. The occupation followed a burning cross found outside Wari House, a residence for Black women.
A violent clash with white fraternity members escalated tensions, prompting the students to arm themselves for protection. The image of them emerging with rifles made national headlines, drawing comparisons to wartime unrest.
The event sparked decades of change: the establishment of Africana Studies, new cultural living centers, and reforms in university governance. The takeover permanently reshaped Cornell’s identity, marking a pivotal chapter in campus and civil rights history.
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