50th anniversary of Black Thursday at UF recognized
By Voleer Thomas
The University of Florida celebrated and discussed the historical, cultural and institutional impact of a protest that shaped the Black community on campus.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Black Thursday which happened on April 15, 1971 when 70 students marched into President Stephen C. O’Connell’s office with a list of demands, including having the university address the shortage of Black faculty and students at UF.
“What I admired most about the students who protested 50 years ago was their courage of conviction.,” said David A. Canton, Ph.D., director of African American studies at UF. “Many of the students paid the ultimate sacrifice when they withdrew from UF. The students protesting at UF were part of an international movement for freedom and equality.