The Birth of the Sit-In Movement

On February 1, 1960 four African-American freshmen (Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. (later known as Jibreel Khazan), and David Richmond) from North Carolina A&T State University sat at the segregated lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro,NC.The lunch counter staff refused to serve the students and the store manager asked them to leave. The four students stayed until closing.

Word of the sit-in travelled across the city; The next day, more than twenty African American students from other campus groups joined the sit-in. White customers harrassed the black students and the lunch counter staff continued to refuse service.

News reporters began to cover the second day of the sit-ins and others in the community learned of the protests. On the third day, more than 60 people came to the Woolworth's store. The sit-in movement spread to cities across North Carolina and eventually across the country.


As I reflect on the birth of the sit-in movement I am amazed that one seemingly small non-violent gesture sparked nationwide attention and aided in the end of segregation in the United States. This reminds me of how important AFSC's work is in the community.