On April 23, 1971, a coalition of Black and white students at Columbia University occupied five buildings on campus, effectively shutting down university operations for the remainder of the academic year. The protest was part of a broader student-led movement challenging institutional racism, war involvement, and the university’s policies on minority admissions and community relations. Demands included increased Black student enrollment, better support for Harlem residents, and opposition to Columbia’s ties to military research. The building seizures echoed earlier 1968 protests and symbolized the radical student activism of the era, combining racial justice with anti-establishment resistance.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
.jpg)
.jpg)
