Civil rights protestors honored 50 years later | Community Spirit

A half century after African-Americans fought for equal rights by leading sit-ins across the city, dozens of these civil rights pioneers are being honored by the Memphis branch of the NAACP.

After sit-ins led to changes in other Southern cities, college students in Memphis decided to take action and try to integrate the Bluff City.

“(They) had the courage to take a stand for freedom by sitting in at the libraries, lunch counters and public facilities of this city,” said a representative of the local NAACP chapter in a written statement.

The Memphis Sit-In Movement was honored earlier this year by the Tennessee legislature, but on Nov. 28, 50 of the activists will be recognized by the NAACP.

“Some were arrested and suffered as a result of these peaceful demonstrations,” said the civil rights group’s spokesperson.

The 50th anniversary of the sit-ins will be celebrated at Mt. Olive CME Cathedral Church on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 4 p.m.

Members of the movement will share their experiences and memories of the sit-ins during the ceremony.

The event is open to the public.

Image courtesy United States Post Office.