This is the third in a series of interviews with people involved with the Willard Straight Takeover of 1969, in which black students took over the Straight to demand greater equality for minority students at Cornell. The interviews, along with a newspaper supplement and panel discussion in April, will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the takeover.

Art Spitzer ’71 has the unique perspective of having served on several University committees leading up to and following the Straight Takeover. For the past 29 years, he has worked for the American Civil Liberties Union and currently serves as the legal director of the ACLU’s National Capital Area office.

The Sun: What was your involvement with the Straight takeover?

“In contrast, NYU’s administration has sent the message that organized protest and passion for a moral cause will be met with force and expulsion. In effect, they are telling us, the college students of America, to avoid the next Kent State massacre and stick to Facebook. This publication disagrees.”

— “Loud and Clear,” Editorial, The Sun, Feb. 23

Are protests always justifiable?