Looking Back: TSU students protesting in 1990

A lone Tennessee State University student climb up an iron grate over a window to join fellow students on the roof of the administration building Feb. 21, 1990. A group of students barricaded themselves inside the building to protest campus conditions.

A couple of Tennessee State University student are on top of the administration building as lookouts as fellow students barricaded themselves inside the administration building Feb. 21, 1990.

Richard Griffin, center, one of the Tennessee State University student leaders, address the crowd as a group of fellow students have barricaded themselves in the second floor the administration building Feb. 21, 1990.

Some of the Tennessee State University students that have taken over the second floor of the administration building Feb. 21, 1990 look out to the crowd that have gathered to support them.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, is addressing the crowd of fellow Tennessee State University students Feb. 21, 1990 after barricaded themselves inside the building to protest campus conditions.

Some of the Tennessee State University barricaded students listen to Student Government Association President jeff carr addressing the crowd from the roof of the administration building Feb. 21, 1990.

David Battle, center, a senior from Atlanta, calls up to TSU Student Government Association president Jeff Carr to ask about reports that fellow students have caused some damage in taking over the administration building Feb. 21, 1990.

Tennessee State University students that have taken over the second floor of the school's administration building to protest campus conditions are displaying unity with the crowd gathering Feb. 21, 1990.

Tennessee State University students that have taken over the second floor of the school's administration building to protest campus conditions are displaying unity with the crowd gathering Feb. 21, 1990.

Every sit-in needs food, so someone has set up a couple of boxes for food donations as Tennessee State University students have barricaded themselves inside the administration building to protest campus conditions Feb. 21, 1990.

A group of Tennessee State University are setting themselves in after taking over the second floor of the second floor of the administration building to protest campus conditions Feb. 21, 1990.

One of the Metro police tactical officers squad are waiting orders to enter Tennessee State University's administration building to remove protesting students Feb. 21, 1990.

A couple of the Metro police tactical officers stand guard as fellow officers are escorting protesting Tennessee State University students from the administration building Feb. 21, 1990.

After the daylong takeover of the administration building ended just before midnight Feb. 21, 1990, Tennessee State University students are gathering to march to President Otis Floyd's home, calling for him to respond to their demands.

After the daylong takeover of the administration building ended just before midnight Feb. 21, 1990, Tennessee State University students are marching to President Otis Floyd's home, calling for him to respond to their demands.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, top, is addressing the gathered crowd that marched to President Otis Floyd's home, calling for him to respond to their demands Feb. 21, 1990.

Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd responds at a news conference to student demands that campus conditions be improved at his office Feb. 22, 1990. Floyd said the dismissal of three administrators and amnesty for sit-in participants are not negotiable points.

Tennessee State University students march across a bridge on D.B. Todd Boulevard toward the school's Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 23, 1990.

Tennessee State University students are marching toward the school's Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 23, 1990.

Protesting Tennessee State University students are filling up one of the offices at the university's Avon Williams campus downtown for a sit-in Feb. 23, 1990. They vowed to stay until TSU President Otis Floyd negotiates an amnesty for the first day sit-ins.

Protesting Tennessee State University students are filling up one of the offices at the university's Avon Williams campus downtown for a sit-in Feb. 23, 1990. They vowed to stay until TSU President Otis Floyd negotiates an amnesty for the first day sit-ins.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, second from left, and other leaders of the Tennessee State University students hold a press conference at staring their sit-in in a couple offices of the Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 23, 1990.

Tennessee State University protesting students are starting to awake from their first night of sit-in at the Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 24, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, second from right, and other student leaders holds a press conference after awaking from their first night of sit-in at the Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 24, 1990.

Students from Austin Peay State University, Fisk University and American Baptist College along with some of the civil right leaders from sit-in protests 30 years ago are marching to the War Memorial's courtyard to support Tennessee State University students in their sit-in Feb. 24, 1990.

Students from Austin Peay State University, Fisk University and American Baptist College along with some of the civil right leaders from sit-in protests 30 years ago are holding a rally in the courtyard of the War Memorial building to support Tennessee State University students in their sit-in Feb. 24, 1990.

Students from Austin Peay State University, Fisk University and American Baptist College along with some of the civil right leaders from sit-in protests 30 years ago are holding a rally in the courtyard of the War Memorial building to support Tennessee State University students in their sit-in Feb. 24, 1990.

Kwame Dumisar, who participated in the Nashville Sit-In Movement 30 years ago, leads marchers in a song during the rally in the courtyard of the War Memorial Building Feb. 24, 1990.

Tennessee State University alumni, school professors, local black community leaders and NAACP representatives are holding a rally for TSU students during their sit-in at the school's Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 25, 1990.

Some of the Tennessee State University protesting students are enjoying the rally by alumni, school professors, local black community leaders and NAACP representatives at the school's Avon Williams downtown campus Feb. 25, 1990.

J. Robert Bradley, who works with the Sunday School Board of the National Baptist Convention, leads a song during a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

J. Robert Bradley, who works with the Sunday School Board of the National Baptist Convention, leads a song during a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, left, talks with a fellow protesting student during a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, second from left, and other student leaders are watching a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, gets encouragement from a participator during a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, and other student leaders speak to the media after a rally at the Tennessee State University's downtown campus in support of TSU student protesters Feb. 25, 1990.

Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd, right, is leaving The Tennessean offices after meeting with reporters and editorial writers about the negotiations with the sit-in students Feb. 26, 1990.

Student Government Association president jeff carr is meeting with The Tennessean reporters and editorial writers at the paper's office Feb. 26, 1990 about the negotiations with Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, top right, is addressing fellow Tennessee State University students about the negotiations with school's administration to settle the four-day sit-in protest at the downtown campus Feb. 26, 1990.

Rep. Roscoe Dixon, D-Memphis, a member of the state legislature's Black Caucus, is mediating the talks from a rock chair in the office of Rep. Lois DeBerry's Legislative Plaza office Feb. 27, 1990. Dr. George Cox, bottom left, Patricia Crook and Dr. Andrew Bond, representing Tennessee State University administration, are meeting with sit-in students Steven Shipp, top left, Darryl McClain and SirJhames Lawson.

Tennessee State University protesters Anthony Johnson, bottom left, vice president of the Student Government Association, and Steve Shipp, an SGA representative-at-large, are attending a meeting with members of the state legislative black caucus, including Memphis Democrats Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr., top left, and Sen. John Ford, top center, Feb. 27, 1990.

Tennessee State University protester Anthony Johnson, bottom, vice president of the Student Government Association, is attending a meeting with members of the state legislative black caucus, including Memphis Democrats Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr., top, Feb. 27, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, and SGA Vice President Anthony Johnson, third from left, lead the sit-in students in a "full amnesty" chant after the two ask them what they want about negotiations with school administrators Feb. 27, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, leads the sit-in students in a "full amnesty" chant after he ask them what they want about negotiations with school administrators Feb. 27, 1990.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center right , and SGA Vice President Anthony Johnson, center left, address the media after another stalemate in negotiations with Tennessee State University administrators at the school's downtown campus Feb. 28, 1990.

After another stalemate in negotiations with Tennessee State University administrators, sit-in students settle in for another night at the school's downtown campus Feb. 28, 1990.

Student Government Association Vice President Anthony Johnson, front left, and Darryl McClain and SirJhames Lawson, both SGA representatives-at-large, are announcing plans March 2, 1990 to go on a hunger strike to protest officials' refusal to grant amnesty in their nine-day series of protests and sit-ins.

With sit-in students behind them, two members of Tennessee State University faculty announce that almost 60 of their members support the students and encouraged the administration to grant them amnesty at the downtown campus March 2, 1990.

Tennessee State University student leader Richard Griffin, front, one of nine students participating in a three-day-old hunger strike, looks on during a rally in support of the sit-in students at the school's downtown campus March 4, 1990.

Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd tells about 200 faculty members that negotiations remain open, but it no reasonable resolution is achieved, the sit-in students must face disciplinary action during a meeting at the school March 5, 1990.

Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd, center, is talking to the media after speaking to about 200 faculty members during a meeting about the sit-in students at the school March 5, 1990.

A Metro emergency medical technician, front center, helps Tennessee State University's Student Government Association Vice President Anthony Johnson, who complained of weakness after fasting for five days at TSU's downtown campus March 6, 1990. Looking on are SGA President jeff carr, back left, and fellow sit-in student Richard Griffin.

Student Government Association President jeff carr, center, talks with the media after three fellow sit-in students were taken to Meharry-Hubbard Hospital after fasting for five days at Tennessee State University's downtown campus March 6, 1990.

Tennessee State University President Otis Floyd, second from left, speaks during a press conference that Tennessee State University sit-in students and administrators have reach an agreement to end the two-week protest March 8, 1990. Looking on are state legislators Ulysses Jones, left, and Lois DeBerry and students leaders jeff carr and Anthony Johnson.

Tennessee State University's SGA President jeff carr, second from right, speaks during a press conference that Tennessee State University sit-in students and administrators have reach an agreement to end the two-week protest March 8, 1990. Looking on are state legislators Ulysses Jones, left, and Lois DeBerry, center, TSU President Otis Floyd, second from left, and students leader Anthony Johnson, right.

House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, left, who act as mediator with Rep. Ulysses Jones, hugs SGA President jeff carr after a press conference that Tennessee State University sit-in students and administrators have reach an agreement to end the two-week protest March 8, 1990.

Rep. Ulysses Jones, left, who act as mediator with House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, left, extended his hand to SGA President jeff carr, right, after a press conference that Tennessee State University sit-in students and administrators have reach an agreement to end the two-week protest March 8, 1990. Looking on is TSU President Otis Floyd.

SGA President jeff carr, center, and President Otis Floyd, left, are all smiles after a press conference that Tennessee State University sit-in students and administrators have reach an agreement to end the two-week protest March 8, 1990 at Floyd campus office.