‘The world didn’t know enough about this story:’ Movie about Richmond 34 officially wraps filming

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A film about the Richmond 34 has officially wrapped filming and is ready for release this year.

“The Richmond 34: The Silent Victory” tells the story of 34 Virginia Union University students who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers, an up-scale department store in downtown Richmond at the time.

The students sat at the whites-only counter at Thalhimers department store in February 1960.

Despite causing no disruption, they were arrested.

The protest became a catalyst for desegregation in Richmond and the broader civil rights movement in Virginia.

“They sat at the counter and they actually did nothing, but talk to each other, they didn’t disturb anyone, they did not cause any problems,” said Rev. L.K. Harris, the film’s director.

After continued activism in Virginia and across the nation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed.

Harris has spent four years developing the project, including meeting with Richmond 34 members, investing thousands of dollars of his own money into the production, as well as writing, producing and directing the movie

“I feel like the world didn’t know enough about this story,” Harris said.

Former 12 On Your Side reporter Azriah Bryant is among the cast, playing Frank Pinkston, one of the leaders of the Richmond 34.

“Did a lot of research with this,” Bryant said. “To learn about how young he was and all the things he was really advocating for back then was really, really amazing and inspiring, so it’s been an honor to play a character like him.”

A specific release date has not been set, but it will be out sometime this year.

Harris said he hopes audiences leave with a passion and determination to not repeat history.

“We are still marching right here in 2026,” Harris said. “We should not still be marching about the same stuff in 1960.

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