Story by Natalie Demaree, Photos by Eli Stokes, March 13, 2021
Over a hundred protesters gathered on a drizzling Saturday morning March 13 to protest against racism. Led by University of Arkansas students, the protesters marched across campus, beginning at the Fulbright Dining Hall and ending in the Gearhart Courtyard.
“NO HONOR FOR RACISTS,” read the sign of a protestor. “Don’t make ICONS out of RACISTS,” read another sign.
Hosted by the Black Graduate Student Association, the Black Law Student Association, Students Advocating Stronger Sisterhood, the University of Arkansas NAACP, and other student organizations and leaders, the protest called for the removal of racist symbols and names on campus beginning with tributes to J. William Fulbright, former UA president and U.S. senator, and Charles Hillman Brough, former professor and Arkansas governor, according to a UA press release.
J. William Fulbright was a known segregationist and emphasized racist policies throughout his term. On campus at the UA, the college of Arts & Sciences is named after him along with a dining hall. A statue of Fulbright also stands in front of Old Main, the oldest building still standing on campus.
Additionally, Charles Hillman Brough enforced racist policies during his term as governor. During the Elaine Massacre of 1919, known as “probably the bloodiest racial conflict in the history of the U.S.” according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Brough covered up multiple unlawful murders of African Americans. A dining hall on campus is named after the former governor and professor.
The following photographs showcase the emotion and dedication to fighting racist policies and celebrations on the UA campus by participants in the march:
