‘We were arrested:’ Richmond art exhibition honors historic VUU student sit-in protest

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- 64 years ago, 200 Virginia Union University (VUU) students marched from Lombardy to Broad Street to protest segregation at Thalhimers Department store. What followed was one of the first mass arrests of the Civil Rights Movement.

Now, the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance is working on an art exhibition to commemorate the demonstration, ensuring its impact is remembered for future generations.

On February 22, 1960, after picketing outside the store, 34 students entered the lunch counter in a sit-in protest. They refused to leave when asked, leading to their arrest and imprisonment. This pivotal moment became a catalyst for desegregation efforts in Richmond and beyond.

Elizabeth Rice, one of the original protestors, vividly recalls the day.

"Then I saw the police wagons coming up, and I said, ‘Oh my goodness,’” Rice told 8News. “They had the German Shepherds with the chains, and I thought, ‘This might be more serious than I thought it'd be.’”

Rice, who hadn’t planned on protesting that day, said everything happened quickly. One moment, she was with fellow students -- the next, she was marching four blocks to Thalhimers. Inside, the protestors sat silently before police arrived with German Shephard attack dogs.

Despite being asked to leave, she and the others remained seated until they were arrested.

"Then the doors open and police walk in, and they say 'you students are going to be arrested for trespassing if you don't leave," Rice recalled.

Their demonstration played a crucial role in pushing for integration -- just one year later, Thalhimers ended its segregation policies.

"I was reflecting on the fact that I told my parents that I wasn't going to get involved," Rice said. "And here I am, having walked to the store, Thalhimer, and I was picketing around the store, and now I've gone into the store." 

To honor the legacy of the Richmond 34, the upcoming exhibition will feature a large mural as its centerpiece, with additional works from local artists incorporated over the next two years.

This tribute ensures that the bravery and sacrifice of these students -- who risked their freedom for equality -- will not be forgotten.