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The First Sit-In
Influenced by the other peaceful protests from the time, Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil planned a sit-in at a local Woolworths. After careful planning and the help of a local businessman, the four sat down at the lunch counter on February 1, 1960. Police arrived, but by that time the media was already there.
The four sat until the shop closed down for the day, then they returned the next day. -
Day Two at Woolworths
On the second day of the protest, the men who became known as the "Greensboro Four" were joined by other students. 25 men and 4 women came out to join in the protest. Their protest continued to gather the attention of the media as the students continued their sit-ins. -
Day Three at Woolworths
By the third day of the protest, more than 60 students had joined in. Every seat at the lunch counter was filled and some students even sat in shifts. The students were continuously harassed by the white patrons of the establishment, but they continued their protest. -
Day Five at Woolworths
By day five, around 300 students had joined the protest at Woolworths. However, their protest was met with opposition.
By the time the store opened on the fifth day, 50 white men were sitting at the lunch counter in defense of the protesters. Nevertheless, the students continued to occupy the establishment and continued their protest.
The protest was gathering more and more attention in the media as it continued. Due to the heavy television coverage, the sit-in was viewed all over. -
The Rise of Sit-Ins
By February 11th, students across the state began participating in sit-ins. These sit-ins protested various forms of segregation in many different businesses. -
Sit-Ins Continue to Spread
By the end of February, the Sit-In movement had become widespread. Over 30 cities in eight different states were experiencing these protests. -
Nearing the End
By the end of March, the movement had become even more widespread. The movement spread to 55 cities in 13 states. Though many were arrested, including 45 of the protesters in Greensboro, their protests continued to gain coverage in the media and spread the message of the Civil Rights movement. -
Victory
On July 25th, 1960, Woolworths finally served its first black customers. Geneva Tisdale, Susie Morrison, Anetha Jones, and Charles Best were the first African Americans to be served at this establishment.
The next day, Woolworths opened as a desegregated store. -
Sources
History.com Editors. (2022, January 25). Greensboro Sit-In. HISTORY. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/the-greensboro-sit-in
Greensboro Civil Rights Timeline. (2014, January 10). Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://greensboro.com/greensboro-civil-rights-timeline/article_dd143486-7a03-11e3-b04d-0019bb30f31a.html