"All 68 [students] were placed in a Mayflower moving van and sent downtown to the police station. The unrelated persons were released, while protestors were later charged with mild violations. Charlottesville prosecutor George Gilliam saw the protest as very nondestructive and reduced the charges for students to minimal sanctions." (Anne-Marie Angelo, May Days 1970, Friday, May 8, 1970).

George,

That was in fact what happened -- and ultimately led to my resigning the position. I was working for Jack Camblos as his part-time assistant; Allan Spitzer was the Municipal Ct Judge. Both were strong 'law and order' voices and the Judge lambasted me in open court for reducing the charges. I resigned my position following what was a very humiliating morning in the Judge's court.

We are talking about events longer ago than 30 years so I know my recollections aren't perfect, but I don't believe there was any property damage or other 'criminal acts' -- just students getting engaged in one of the great debates of the time. As always, as few were overzealous; and, as always, some of the law enforecement personnel reacted with overzealousness.

Once things cooled down a bit I didn't think it made any sense to hang criminal records around the necks of the students -- particularly since their cause had the explicit (and courageous) support of the U Va President.

George Gilliam (electronic mail, December 30, 2003)