July ’64 to March ’20: Race and Protest in Rochester

Written by Professor Stewart Weaver

On September 8, in solidarity with a nationwide Scholar Strike for Racial Justice and in the wake of recently disclosed information about the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of Rochester Police Officers in March 2020, the History Department, the Frederick Douglass Institute, and the Susan B. Anthony Institute hosted a viewing of Carvin Eison’s acclaimed documentary July ’64  - the story of the historic three-day protest that took place in several Rochester neighborhoods in the summer of 1964. Released to mark the fortieth anniversary of the protests in 2004, July ’64 combines archival footage, news reports, and interviews with witnesses and participants who discuss how this historic event continues to shape the racial and social geography of Rochester today. Over 120 people participated in the virtual viewing of the film, which was followed by an open conversation with the film's director, Carvin Eison, a documentary filmmaker and Carvin Eison and Professor in the Department of Journalism, Broadcasting, and Public Relations at the College at Brockport SUNY.

July '64 can be viewed at any time here.