It reminds me of Tampa Lunch Counter Sit Inn

Sixty-five years ago, a group of brave young African-American students from Tampa embarked on a journey that transforms the city forever. Their peaceful sit-in at the FW Woolworths Ranch Counter not only separated many local businesses, but also demonstrated the power of interracial cooperation and non-violent protest.

In 1960, a Southern civil rights protest made headlines and Tampa enjoyed an economic boom, causing a small number of brave African-American students to shake up their communities on their foundations through powerful, lively, non-violent protests. Few city leaders imagined they could do it.

On February 29, 1960, members of the National Association’s Tampa Youth Council held a sit-in protest at a store in downtown Woolworths. Woolworths opened the door to black shoppers, but the store refused to allow black customers to order food or drinks at the lunch counter, which is restricted to whites. The unique logic of racism allowed blacks and whites to stand next to each other while purchasing items, but fearing that they would overturn the strict code of etiquette that emphasized white facilities, they would end up doing the same lunch counter. I couldn’t sit and eat.

Florida Sen. Artenia Joyner, a student at Middleton and Blake, two black high schools in the city, led by 20-year-old Clarence Fort, requested polite service at the Woolworths Ranch Counter. Once rejected, students remained in their seats until the store manager closed the lunch counter, with critical support from NAACP Florida Rev. A. Leon Raleigh, lawyer Francis Corodriguez and reform-oriented Tampa mayor Julian Lane. . The demonstration lasted for three days and expanded to Cress retail stores and Greyhound Bus Terminal. There were occasional physical altercations, but the protests remained largely peaceful. Mayor Lane persuaded the police department to maintain the order without interfering with non-violent demonstrators.

Tampa’s black and white citizens and business leaders got caught up in action and came up with peaceful solutions without fanfare. The mayor’s Interracial Committee is led by local lawyer Cody Fowler and former American Bar Chairperson, and Pastor Lowry, a former teacher of Morehouse College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to help with sit-in students. I accompanied them. In the protest, after Shot was fired at Laurie’s home, he and the Interracial Commission doubled their commitment to avoid violence and reaching a peaceful reconciliation.

After months of behind the scenes deliberation, on September 14, 1960, black customers were served at Woolworths and other retailer lunch counters. Additional barriers to public separation will fall in Tampa over the next few years. Unlike many cities in the South, Tampa challenged Jim Crow after mobilizing the resulting black and white leaders and hearing the voices of students engaged in peaceful protests. Today, of course, we continue to struggle with how we come together to achieve and do racial equality. The “tampa techniques” of interracial dialogue and mutual respect provide a powerful example of how we can work together to address the racial and political polarization of our time.

We are part of a group civic project that includes all political striped Tampa community leaders that reflect our rich and diverse heritage, and will realize this untold story. When the righteous victory was a play by local playwright Mark Leive, when Stageworks Theatre recreated the Tampa seat originally produced and overseen in 2023. Starting March 6th, Stageworks will be Tampa’s Stras Center for the Performing Arts, the largest performing arts center in the southeastern United States. We recommend you see it.

“The student-led sit-in in Tampa is a testament to the power of peaceful protest and courageous leadership,” says Andrew, legendary citizenship activist, ambassador and confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Young said in support of the production. . “Clarence Fort, Rev. A. Leon Raleigh, Mayor Julian Lane, and others have shown what is possible when well-intentioned people stand together for justice. Their stories are more than just history. Today and tomorrow’s. Lessons are taught. I am honored to support this effort to share their legacy and inspire future generations to lead with faith, unity and resolve. This is seen, heard and carried forward. It’s a history that must be done.”

As Clearwater’s lawyer and NAACP national chairman Leon Russell stated of the play, “Florida has played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. We are here to see where this town is. You need to (recognise) whether it was there and how far it has come.”

Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, added: Tampa’s highly effective 1960 Lunchroom Counter Sit-in falls into the latter category. When the right victory tells the touching story of Florida, our nation’s long and noble quest to ultimately gather around the cause of civil rights, fulfilling the inherent promise of freedom and justice for all We provide all stories. ”

In late 2025, local PBS affiliate WEDU will air documentaries on the plays and stories behind the story.

When Dr. King preached, we learn from the past, embrace the value of peaceful protest, cooperation, and find a common basis. Together, we can work to build a more just and equitable future for all.

Previously Stephen F. Lawson of the University of South Florida was professor emeritus at Rutgers University and an expert on the history of the civil rights movement. Gary R. Molmino is Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida and is an expert in Tampa’s history and Florida state.