On 22 April 1969 over 200 Black and Puerto Rican students occupied 17 buildings in New York's City College south campus demanding Black and Latine studies courses an end to discrimination against students of colour at the City University of New York. Although the local community was 40% Black and Puerto Rican, they made up only 9% of students at the University, so protesters demanded open admissions. Some white students took over the north campus in solidarity.
Police violently attacked the students with batons, but the demonstrators defended themselves.
The Finlay Student Centre was set on fire, and 10 other smaller fires were set elsewhere on campus. Some white male students also physically attacked Black women students.
But on May 9, after two weeks of occupation, authorities eventually agreed to the students' demands and opened up admissions, and introduced financial help for students in need.
As of 2019, 53% of students at the college were Black or Latine.
City College occupied - WCH | Stories
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