Hundreds of draft protestors participate in grape boycott, Ralph Atkins arrested

Hundreds of draft protestors participate in grape boycott, Ralph Atkins arrested

Several hundred draft protesters march from campus to the Selective Service (draft) office, and after police break that up, many march into three grocery stores to participate in a grape boycott protest. The protesters do minor damage to the stores, smashing grapes under their feet, and then at one store helping themselves to beer and other liquids. Of the hundreds of students involved (most white), only one is initially arrested, a young black student named Ralph Atkins, who is accused of inciting a riot. Atkins is convicted in October and sentenced to six months in jail; that is reduced to 90 days after community members raise money to reimburse the grocery stores for their damages. The image featured in this item may be found in the Paul Philemon Kies Photograph Collection (pc028b16_70b17_19700313).

1970-03-13