The Strawberry Statement

The Strawberry Statement is a 1970 American drama film set in the counterculture and student revolts of the 1960s. The story is loosely based on the non-fiction book of the same name by James Simon Kunen (who has a cameo appearance in the film) about the Columbia University protests of 1968. Plot The film follows the radicalization of Simon, an ordinary student at a fictional urban university in San Francisco, California, which the actors refer to as "Western". Initially, Simon is indifferent to student protests going on around him. Accidentally walking in while his roommate is having casual sex with another student, Simon protests to the roommate their time should be devoted to study so they can get good jobs and earn money. Coming back clothed, the female student refuses setting another date with the roommate because she'll be busy protesting. She explains the university plans to construct a gymnasium in an African-American neighborhood, causing conflict with the local African American population. She describes how students plan to occupy a university building in protest. Simon later sees fellow student Linda and experiences love at first sight. He takes advantage of his position as photographer for the college newspaper to photograph her. Following Linda into the university building as the students are taking over, he joins the protest. Linda approaches Simon as he fools around in the bathroom, then asks him to help her rob a grocery store so the strikers can eat.