# John Henrik Clarke Africana Library

**Source**: https://africana.library.cornell.edu/williard-straight-occupation/
**Parent**: https://africana.library.cornell.edu/

On April 19, 1969, students (mainly Black) occupied Willard Straight Hall during Parents’ Weekend as a continuing form of protest about racial issues on Cornell University’s campus. Citing the university’s “racist attitudes” and “irrelevant curriculum,” the students occupied the building for thirty-six hours. The takeover received national attention as thousands of Black and White students became involved, which engaged the community in broad discussion about race relations and educational matters. These three links captures that protest in visual and print format.

- [Willard Straight Occupation Study Guide](http://guides.library.cornell.edu/wshtakeover)
- [Willard Straight Takeover Images](https://digital.library.cornell.edu/?f%5Bsubject_tesim%5D%5B%5D=Willard+Straight+Hall+takeover)
- [Willard Straight Takeover Documents](/willard-straight-takeover-documents/)