25 march 1968 & free theater series on vietnam

#OTD Monday 25 March 1968 The Free Theater was preparing for its Thursday film series on Vietnam, held at the Burning Bush (2612 Georgia Avenue, NW). The films included the Department of Defense's film, Why Vietnam, and David Shoenbrun's Shoenbrun on VIetnam.

According to the Hilltop newspaper, "The Free Theater is an effort to create a black cultural center where black people can be confronted with information on pertinent issues of today and from there be able to form enlightened opinions. It also has plans for a library which would feature black writers and poets." In addition to the film series, the Free Theater hosted open poetry readings on Fridays.

Part of the series took place during the Howard students' takeover of the administration building. The above photo illustrates that students were also concerned about the Vietnam War. Some of the student participants may have attended the film series at the Burning Bush, which was located across the street from the main campus.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you go to the Free Theater film series? Do you remember the Free Theater? Do you remember Burning Bush? Were you active in the theater movement? You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy DC Public Library Special Collections, 22 March 1968. Photographer unknown.