University of Virginia Library

Quiet Start

It all started quietly on schedule at 7 p.m.
when 7 or 8 students set out from Courtenay
dormitory. About 70 students had joined them
by the time they reached the Glass Hat where
there was a crowd of about 200 students
waiting for the marchers.

More people joined in as the procession
moved up through the dorm area. Mr. Collier
addressed the demonstrators from a balcony on
Webb dormitory.

Spotlighted by several flashlights from
below, he asked everyone to stay together and
not to cause any trouble. He said that the
policemen were stationed on the roads for the
benefit of the marchers, and would help them,
so there should be no incidents.

As the marchers walked down McCormick
Road, students living in the old dorms joined
the ranks. The general mood seemed to be one
of mild exhilaration rather than militancy.

One student exclaimed "Oh this is beautiful,
if only my mother could see me now!" Many
walked along quietly or talked to one another
while songs and chants were kept up by others.

The procession turned left onto Newcomb
Road, and temporarily split up before
converging on Nameless Field. One column
went next to Memorial Gym while the
original column had kept to the road. A small
contingent from Munford-Gwathney was
waiting on the field.

Mr. Collier called for a halt to regroup next
to the tennis courts and those in front sat down
while someone strummed a guitar. Everyone
was-called on to stay close together while
crossing the street, and after a partial singing of
"The Star Spangled Banner", and a round
applause, the march got under way again.

The demonstrators carried a number of
banners, signs, and candles. There were some
minor incidents involving flags, which went
largely unnoticed since they were handled
quietly. Many marchers had backpacks carrying
gear needed for the sleep-in on the Lawn.

They shouted slogans such as "One, two,
three, four, we don't want to grow no more",
and Hell no, we won't grow." Snatches of songs
such as "When the Saints Come Marching In"
were played on combs and kazoos.

Photo By Lovelace Cook

Library Protest

Sleepless Students Stayed Home