University of Virginia Library

At Dance Theatre

Herring Ousts Gardner, Long

Two members of the Radical
Student Union of the University,
were ejected from University Hall
last night for "blocking the lobby"
while distributing copies of the
Virginia Weekly to patrons of the
Alvin Dance Theater.

According to Tom Gardner, he
and Alvin Long were standing to
either side of the line of incoming
persons, handing out copies of
Virginia Weekly, which contained a
schedule of Black Culture Week.
Mr. Gardner said that John Herring.
Director of Newcomb Hall and
sponsor of the Artist's Series, told
both Mr. Gardner and Mr. Long to
leave the lobby because they were
obstructing the entrance to the hall.

Mr. Gardner, who is a Student
Council representative from the
College, then replied that he would
not leave. Upon hearing this, Mr.
called the University
Security Police.

Soon after, the police arrived
and questioned both Mers.
Gardner and long concerning the
incident. The police then filled out
a report and left.

Mr. Gardner explained that he
was helping promote Black Culture
Week by distributing copies of The
Virginia Weekly which contained a
schedule of the week's activities.
Mr. Gardner said that he had the
right to do this and expected no
trouble.

When Mr. Herring saw Gardner
distributing literature, he told Mr.
Gardner that he was blocking the
entrance and asked him to leave.
Mr. Herring said that he could
distribute the literature outside the
building. After Mr. Gardner refused
to leave, Mr. Herring conferred with
four "involved" persons who were
either faculty members or students,
and then decided to phone the
police.

Mr. Herring explained that the
leaser of University Hall has the
right to set up their own rules of
conduct during the period of the
lease. Mr. Herring said that no one
is allowed to distribute literature at
an Artist's Series event without
approval by the director. He said
that Mr. Gardner had no such
approval. After Mr. Gardner refused
to leave, it was felt that he was
the performance and
that he and Mr. Long should be
ejected.

Both Mr. Gardner and Mr. Long
left University Hall on their own
before being questioned by the
University Police.