May 21

The Greensboro Uprising With North Carolina A & T State University and Dudley High School

An armed confrontation began May 21, 1969 between students protesters, police and the North Carolina National Guard on and near the North Carolina A & T State University and Dudley High School campuses in Greensboro, NC.  A Dudley student allegedly being denied his civil rights (he was not able to become Student Council President because of his activism history) caused protests at segregated Dudley High School. Students on nearby North Carolina A & T's campus protested in support of the Dudley student. The protest led to what has been described as the largest armed assault of that time on an American University. North Carolina's Governor Scott sent over 600 National Guardsmen, personnel carriers, a tank and helicopter to the North Carolina A & T campus.   The National Guard swept historic Scott Hall using tear gas, smoke and nausea grenades.  During the National Guard assault on North Carolina A & T's campus, student Willie Grimes was killed, and hundreds of students were placed in protective custody.  A monument stands today in memory of Grimes on campus in front of the Student Union building.