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Title on Reel (transcribed from original)
June 30, 1969, Welfare March
Date Created
1969-06-30
Reel Format
Super 8mm
Reel Description
This reel contains footage from the June 30, 1969 Solidarity Day march and rally in support of increased welfare benefits. Footage of individuals gathering at the Safety, Health and Welfare Building, marching to the Virginia State Capitol, and individuals preparing for speeches at the capitol. The Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that the majority of participants were Black women.
Timestamp Description
00:00:10 Footage begins. Dark unidentifiable footage.
00:00:11 Footage of a car driving around filmed from behind, zoomed in on the rear license plate.
00:00:13 Footage of several dozen individuals gathered on the sidewalk outside the Richmond Safety, Health and Welfare Building.
00:00:25 Footage of a yellow taxi cab, filmed from the front, zoomed in on its front license plate. Individuals are visible standing on the sidewalk to the left.
00:00:29 Footage of individuals standing outside the building on the sidewalk, one individual talks to another writing on a small notepad, likely a journalist.
00:00:32 Footage of three individuals standing in a huddle on the sidewalk as another individual wearing a clerical collar walks past them. This is likely Reverend Edward J. McDonough. McDonough stops to shake hands with one of the individuals in the huddle.
00:0:37 Footage of two individuals walking from left to right of frame towards the crowd on the sidewalk, one wears a photography camera around their neck.
00:00:42 Footage of a Volkswagen bus filmed from the front, with the camera zoomed in on its license plate. The camera pans up to film individuals in the vehicle.
00:00:51 Footage of an individual on the sidewalk speaking with three individuals exiting the Volkswagen bus.
00:00:54 Panning footage of individuals standing on the sidewalk, which pans to film individuals exiting the Volkswagen bus. Footage focuses on the driver.
00:01:01 Footage of individuals crossing the street and gathering with other demonstrators.
00:01:09 Multiple clips of individuals gathering on the sidewalk, some hold signs: "Thanks for Nothin!", "More Money Now!", "Money, Power" with an infinity symbol between the words, "Freedom From Hunger".
00:01:27 Multiple clips of footage of individuals crossing the street.
00:01:30 Footage of the demonstrators preparing to march, filmed from in front of the group.
00:01:45 Individuals begin marching, many hold signs: "Tidewater Supports VWRO" with an infinity symbol, "Mother Power", "$ Now", "Bread Justice" with an infinity symbol, "Welfare Rights" with an infinity symbol. Two individuals wearing clerical collars are in the crowd.
00:02:15 Multiple clips of demonstrators marching, many with signs: "Poor Power", "Register to Vote", "I'm human, Let me eat too", "Mom $". Two individuals with a film camera are visible throughout.
00:02:56 Footage of marchers climbing the steps of the Virginia State Capitol, filmed from the sidewalk below.
00:03:00 Footage of an individual on a bicycle with cars parked behind them, they wear a red bandana.
00:03:02 Footage of an individual setting up what appears to be a speaker under the portico of the capitol building. Another individual takes a photograph of the individual filming. A microphone is set up.
00:03:06 Footage of individuals gathered under the portico, most holding signs.
00:03:15 Footage of an individual in a clerical collar, likely Reverend Edward J. McDonough being interviewed by an individual with a small microphone. The crowd is visible behind them.
00:03:29 Footage ends.
Event Description
On June 30, 1969, approximately 120 individuals who identified as welfare recipients in Virginia gathered at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond to demand changes to the welfare system, including an adequate guaranteed income. Organized by the Virginia Welfare Rights Organization (VWRO), an affiliate of the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO), the rally was part of a national Solidarity Day and lasted just over an hour. Demonstrators met at the Safety, Health and Welfare Building and marched to the capitol. Individuals from Tidewater and Roanoke also attended the rally. Named speakers included Roy Lee Huffman and Philip Perkins of the VWRO, and Reverend Edward J. McDonough. The Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that the majority of participants were Black women, though much of the crowd in the footage appears to be racially diverse. Speakers urged those in attendance to vote and work in solidarity across racial lines (Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 1, 1969).
Runtime
00:03:37
Corporate Name Subject
National Welfare Rights Organization (U.S.)
Topical Subject
Welfare rights movement; Public welfare; Anti-poverty movements; Demonstrations; Crowds; Signs and signboards; Clergy; Police; Police patrol--Surveillance operations; Electronic surveillance; Video surveillance
City/Location
Richmond (Va.)
Genre
color films (visual works)
Local Genre
moving image
Type
Moving Image
Digital Format
video/mp4
Language
eng
Rights Statement URL
Rights
This material is in the public domain in the United States and thus is free of any copyright restriction. Acknowledgement of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.
Collection
Richmond Police Department Surveillance Collection
Source
National Welfare Rights Organization March and Rally in Richmond Film Reel #01, 1969 June 30
File Name
VCU_M571_098.mp4