16 march 1968 & #flashbackfriday: van ness es protest

#OTD FlashbackFriday Teachers, parents and 300 students at Van Ness ES (5th & M Sts, SE) marched around their school to protest the broken windows that have not been fixed. Principal Velma Simpson supported the protest because she had been unsuccessful in her attempts with DCPS to get the windows fixed.

The children chanted, “We want windows,” while carrying signs with same message. Other signs stated: “Play Fair With Us,” “Equality with Northwest,” and “Let’s have baby windows at Van Ness School quick!”

James Brown, whose daughter Lisa was in 2nd grade, lamented that residents were forced to demonstrate in order to have the basics.

Please comment below. Were you a student, parent or teacher? Did you participate in march? Do you remember the principal? 

Photo courtesy DC Public Library Special Collections, 13 October 1969. Brig Cabe, photographer.