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Title on Reel (transcribed from original)
Welfare March June 30, 1969
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 Virginia State Capitol, including multiple individuals speaking into a microphone. Although the Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that the majority of participants were Black women, this appears to be a group of racially diverse participants.
Timestamp Description
00:00:10 Footage begins. Footage of feet and legs filmed with the camera rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise. Appears that the camera was running while not being operated.
00:00:14 Footage of several individuals sitting under the Virginia State Capitol portico, leaning against a column. Some are children. Others stand to their right.
00:00:18 Multiple clips of footage zooming in on individuals standing and/or sitting under the portico in the crowd of demonstrators.
00:00:41 Footage of an individual approaching the microphone, they wear a clerical collar and are likely Reverend Edward J. McDonough.
00:00:44 Zoomed in footage of individuals in the crowd, bowing their heads, likely in prayer.
00:00:50 Multiple clips of individuals speaking at a microphone. An individual in the background films the crowd with a film camera. The first speaker wearing a blue dress, the second a black dress with a white ring around the collar and sunglasses, the third a white shirt or dress with a United States of America patch over the heart, the fourth a green sleeveless turtleneck shirt, and sunglasses, the fifth white pants, a black shirt with a U.S. flag patch in the center and sunglasses, the sixth a blue patterned dress with a collar.
00:01:30 Footage of one of the first speaker taking cash from an individual and placing it in a large envelope, and speaking with the individual.
00:01:41 Footage of individuals standing under the portico.
00:01:45 Footage of a sign on the ground: "Virginia Welfare Rights Organization, Solidarity Day, Roanoke Valley Alliance" with two logos. One reads "Welfare Rights" with an infinity symbol between both words, with "National Welfare Rights Organization" written around the four sides. The second reads "Build WRO" with an infinity symbol between both words, with "National Welfare Rights Organization" written around the four sides.
00:01:50 Footage of the street below the capitol steps filmed from above. Individuals cross the street and several cars are parked. McDonough is one of the individuals.
00:01:55 McDonough speaks with an individual using a wheelchair as they are wheeled towards the capitol steps.
00:02:04 Footage of the individual using a wheelchair under the portico.
00:02:07 Footage of an individual speaking at the microphone, filmed from the back of the crowd. They wear a yellow button up shirt and glasses.
00:02:50 Footage of individuals walking down the steps of the capitol building, filmed from the street below.
00:03:04 Footage of a uniformed police officer on horseback, they wave at the camera.
00:03:08 Footage of a parked car filmed from behind, zoomed in on the rear license plate.
00:03:13 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
00:03:36
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; Mounted police; Police horses; Animals in police work; 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 #02, 1969 June 30
File Name
VCU_M571_049.mp4