Campus Protests in the Land of Lincoln Campus Protests in the Land of Lincoln
The history of campus protests in the United States is long and storied. What’s thought to be the first campus protest in American history occured in 1766, a full decade before the signing of the Declaration of Independence; half the student body of Harvard University were suspended after they protested over the quality of their dining hall meals. It became known as the “Great Butter Rebellion.” Illinois’ history of campus protests reflects the national story and illuminates three pillars of campus protests:
The history of campus protests in the United States is long and storied. What’s thought to be the first campus protest in American history occured in 1766, a full decade before the signing of the Declaration of Independence; half the student body of Harvard University were suspended after they protested over the quality of their dining hall meals. It became known as the “Great Butter Rebellion.” Illinois’ history of campus protests reflects the national story and illuminates three pillars of campus protests:
1. They come in all shapes and sizes
1. They come in all shapes and sizes
2. It’s not just students
2. It’s not just students
3. It’s not just colleges
3. It’s not just colleges
Some protests are limited in scope and see the student body clashing with administrators over internal matters; in 1936, dozens of North Central College athletes protested the firing of a student secretary. They gave speeches, held a parade, and showed solidarity on the football field by wearing the secretary’s name on their jerseys.
Some protests are limited in scope and see the student body clashing with administrators over internal matters; in 1936, dozens of North Central College athletes protested the firing of a student secretary. They gave speeches, held a parade, and showed solidarity on the football field by wearing the secretary’s name on their jerseys.
Other protests are larger in scope, tied to national political movements, and include school staff. In 1947, 750 students at the University of Chicago protested their medical schools’ admissions practices, alleging racial discrimination against Black Americans.
Other protests are larger in scope, tied to national political movements, and include school staff. In 1947, 750 students at the University of Chicago protested their medical schools’ admissions practices, alleging racial discrimination against Black Americans.
Two UC professors - Maynard Kreuger and Malcolm Sharp - joined the students and gave speeches.
Two UC professors - Maynard Kreuger and Malcolm Sharp - joined the students and gave speeches.
In 1963, eleven University of Chicago professors protested a planned speech from the founder of the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell.
In 1963, eleven University of Chicago professors protested a planned speech from the founder of the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell.
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In 1964, dozens of students at the University of Chicago – channelling the Great Butter Rebellion –protested due to the price and quality of their campus food. They clearly had fun with the protest, singing parodies of the Battle Hymn of the Republic and holding signs with slogans like “Better Dead than Fed by Contract,” a play on the anti-Communist slogan “Better Dead than Red.”
In 1964, dozens of students at the University of Chicago – channelling the Great Butter Rebellion –protested due to the price and quality of their campus food. They clearly had fun with the protest, singing parodies of the Battle Hymn of the Republic and holding signs with slogans like “Better Dead than Fed by Contract,” a play on the anti-Communist slogan “Better Dead than Red.”
In1966,350studentsoccupiedacampus buildingtoprotesttheirgradesand rankingsbeingsharedwithlocal draftboardsduringtheVietnamWar.
In1966,350studentsoccupiedacampus buildingtoprotesttheirgradesand rankingsbeingsharedwithlocal draftboardsduringtheVietnamWar.
The Kent State Massacre – in which 4 unarmed Kent State University students were shot and killed by members of the Ohio National Guard – was a major catalyst of student activity across the country. In Illinois alone, nearly 10,000 National Guard members were called to quell protests and violence that erupted at schools like Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and Loyola University.
The Kent State Massacre – in which 4 unarmed Kent State University students were shot and killed by members of the Ohio National Guard – was a major catalyst of student activity across the country. In Illinois alone, nearly 10,000 National Guard members were called to quell protests and violence that erupted at schools like Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and Loyola University.
High school students also protest, usually in response to significant national political events. In April of 2006, roughly 1,000 Aurora high school students protested in downtown Aurora over an immigration bill that had recently passed Congress. High school students also protest, usually in response to significant national political events. In April of 2006, roughly 1,000 Aurora high school students protested in downtown Aurora over an immigration bill that had recently passed Congress.
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In February and March of 2018, thousands of high school students across the country – including from West Aurora – walked out to protest gun violence in the wake of the Parkland school shooting in Florida.
In February and March of 2018, thousands of high school students across the country – including from West Aurora – walked out to protest gun violence in the wake of the Parkland school shooting in Florida.
Campus protests continue to dominate the headlines to this day.
In 2024, Pro-Palestinian protests erupted on college campuses around the country, including at schools like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
In 2024, Pro-Palestinian protests erupted on college campuses around the country, including at schools like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Campus protests continue to dominate the headlines to this day.
Have you ever participated in a campus protest?
Have you ever participated in a campus protest? If so, what was your experience like? Let us know at genealogyhelp@aurorapubliclibrary.org!
If so, what was your experience like? Let us know at genealogyhelp@aurorapubliclibrary.org!