1996 Ethnic Studies Demonstrations

In 1996, several students went on a hunger strike to demand the creation of an Ethnic Studies department.

Timeline

April 1, 1996 - April 15, 1996

People

Began with 4 strikers, although the [Chronicle] cites 3 strikers.

1. Marcel A. Agueros, a senior majoring in astronomy
2. Michael Maldonaldo, a Columbia College senior;
3. Heather Starr, a senior at Barnard College;
4. Joaguin Ochoa, a graduate student at Columbia Teachers College

6 Negotiators:

1. Othniel Harris, Sophomore
2.  ?

Organizers: Jane Sung E Bai

Protesters: Estimated at 125 by the [Chronicle]

References

• Article from the New York Times
• Article from 2007 Spectator, on the reaction by alumni of the 1996 Hunger Strike to the 2007 hunger strike
• Summary of Statements by the 1996 Hunger Strikers with detailed timeline
• article from April 26, 1996 [Chronicle]
• Article from The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, No. 12. (Summer, 1996), p. 37.
• speech by a hunger striker
• pictures
• more pictures
• letter from striker's dad to then-president George Rupp