SIT-INS
Launched the national
drive for integrated
lunch counters, Feb. I,
1960, in Woolworth
store 2 blocks south.
The Greensboro Record, Thurs., Nov. 15,1979 C 3
State marker for '60 sit-in
on commissions agenda
BY JO SPIVEY
Record Staff Writer
Chances are brighter that the state
may finance a marker here commemorating the beginning of the sit-ins by four
A&T students Feb. 1,1960, at the downtown Woolworth lunch counter.
The February 1 Committee, a group
planning an observance of the 20th anniversary of the event, learned Wednesday
that a request by Dr. Alex Stoessen,
committee member, for the marker is
on the agenda for the N.C. Highway Historical Marker Commission Nov. 30
meeting in Raleigh.
Stoessen, a Guilford College professor
who has obtained state approval for several historical markers here, earlier reported that because of limited funds the
commission was considering no requests
for markers not already on its list. Stoessen applied for the marker about a year
ago.
Eugene Pfaff, committee chairman,
reported in Stoessen's absence Wednesday that the application for the sit-ins
marker is not considered a new request
and, if approved by the commission,
would be eligible for funding from monies on hand.
Since markers erected by the commission must be placed beside state-system
streets, one commemorating the sit-ins
probably would be on Market Street
rather than at the Woolworth site on
Elm Street.
Should state support for a marker fall
through, offers have been made locally
for funding. The committee, however,
sees advantages in a state marker in responsibility for maintenance and recording on an official state list.
In other action, the group formally
adopted the February 1 Committee for
its name.
A report was made that Andrew
Young, former ambassador to the United Nations and early civil rights worker,
had not responded to an invitation to be
the principal speaker for a luncheon
Feb. 1 honoring the four A&T students.
The sit-in effort by Jibrell Khazan
(Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeill and David Richmond
sparked a movement which spread rapidly through the South, resulting in desegregation of many previously all-white
businesses. The four will take part in the
weekend of activities planned for the
20th anniversary.
The committee set up a coordinating
subcommittee to firm up plans for the
observance within the next week. Members are Shirley Frye and Hal Seiber, co-
chairmen, Richard Moore, Manlin For-
gay, Kathy Harrelson, Vance Chavis,
Stoessen, Sol Jacobs and Nell Coley.
Pfaff will serve as an ex-officio member.
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