One phrase united more than 500 students, faculty and community members gathered in front of the Union on Thursday: "We are black and we are one."

In the fall of 1968, 500 black students — products of Project 500 — marched from the Illinois Street Residence Halls to the Union demanding that the University provide the educational access it promised all its students. Thirty-five years later, black students on campus marched again.

The walk was one of several events held this week to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the implementation of Project 500 — the University's first major push to increase the number of minority students on campus.

An overtone of excitement coupled with reverence for those of the original 500 in attendance overrode the chill in the fall air.

"It's historic and it's the best thing black people can do," said William Hoff Jr., Ph.D. He received his degree from the University in 1987. Alumni in attendance provided a historical background about Project 500 to students.

Sandra Kato, Ph.D., said if not for Project 500, many students who enrolled at the University from community colleges would not have had a chance to attend the University. Kato received both her bachelor's and doctorate degrees from the University. Alumna Gladys Pope said although she was not in the original 500, all of her friends, her sister, and her nephew, Nathaniel Banks — director of the African-American Cultural Program — came in under the program.

Coordinators and administrators alike said they were surprised by the turnout. Co-coordinator Marcus Coleman said gathering the students was easy because of the level of the students' motivation and the support they received. And for co-coordinator and graduate student Sheri Shaw, the turnout was an answer to her prayers.

Shaw said she had 500 T-shirts made but did not expect to sell all of them.

"The NAACP, Central Black Student Union and Black Greek Council all helped," she said. "Without them we could not have done it."

Black students and community members were not the only participants. A mix of white, Latino and Asian students also participated.

A smattering of flags from around the world waved amidst the crowd. Eric Lugo, senior in LAS, waved the Puerto Rican flag proudly. Lugo's aunt was one of the original 500.

"I'm basically paying homage to the 550 students (from Project 500)," he said. Standing next to him, Oliver Hatchett, member of Illini Union Board, echoed Lugo's sentiments.

"If it wasn't for the efforts of students in 1968, people like me and Eric wouldn't have the opportunities we have today," he said. "It's a blessing to be here now and I thank God for the privilege. Me being African American and (Eric) being Latino, we now have the opportunity to work together — to go to school together."

Kris Campbell, assistant to the Chancellor and member of the Project 500 commemoration planning committee, said students of all races and ethnicities were encouraged to participate.

"Project 500 really impacted everyone's lives on campus, not just blacks and Latinos," she said.

Participants walked down Illinois Street and across the Quad to the Union. Traffic was stopped to allow the marchers to pass. On Mathews Drive, a 21-Quad bus full of curious passengers halted for the procession. Bystander and freshman in LAS Grady Behrens said he had no idea what Project 500 was before the event.

"I was very curious because I saw so many people," he said. But Behrens said he supports the reasons for the march.

"I would march with them."

In front of the Union, several speakers presented poems and reflected on Project 500's impact on their lives.

A moment of silence was held to honor the original 500. As participants bowed their heads, the chimes from the Altgeld bell tower resonated through the air, signaling the hour.

Keith Marshall, a representative from the Provost's office, said he was particularly touched by the event.

"It was very powerful ... I liked the symbolism," he said. "When you have that many people pulling together, it's something else."

The words of the Black national anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" closed the event. As participants hugged one another, Shaw said she was overwhelmed with tears. Her last sentence to the crowd as people slowly dispersed, was a reflection of everything participants said the event stood for: "We are black and we are one."