Charlotte Protests
1960
In February of 1960, 100 students from Smith University held sit-ins at different shops in downtown Charlotte. Led by 22 year old, Charles Jones, the students focused on non-violent forms of protest. On February 23rd, students sat on the steps of Belk's Department Store, chanting, "freedom!" Soon, a fight broke out between the protesters and some bystanders. The police were called, but only the black protesters were arrested. When their protests where not attracting enough attention, many people both black and white decided to boycott the entire downtown area in Charlotte. Finally, on July 2nd, the Mayor's Committee told protesters that a deal would be made. Two days later, the stores and restaurants agreed to integrate. On July 9th, 15 black students were served at formerly all-white counter. Soon colleges, schools, parks, movie theaters, pools, and shopping centers began integrating as well.
1963
In the spring of 1963, civil rights leaders held a four mile march protest from an African American college campus to downtown Charlotte. Their goal was to integrate upscale restaurants and hotels. Two weeks later, the civil rights leaders and white business owners sat down to eat lunch together and talk about negotiations nonviolently. “The city’s leadership recognized that there was a need to make necessary changes, but they did not want the violence that happened in other communities to happen here,” said Willie Ratchford, executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee. Eventually, everyone agreed and hotels and upscale restaurants became integrated.
In February of 1960, 100 students from Smith University held sit-ins at different shops in downtown Charlotte. Led by 22 year old, Charles Jones, the students focused on non-violent forms of protest. On February 23rd, students sat on the steps of Belk's Department Store, chanting, "freedom!" Soon, a fight broke out between the protesters and some bystanders. The police were called, but only the black protesters were arrested. When their protests where not attracting enough attention, many people both black and white decided to boycott the entire downtown area in Charlotte. Finally, on July 2nd, the Mayor's Committee told protesters that a deal would be made. Two days later, the stores and restaurants agreed to integrate. On July 9th, 15 black students were served at formerly all-white counter. Soon colleges, schools, parks, movie theaters, pools, and shopping centers began integrating as well.
1963
In the spring of 1963, civil rights leaders held a four mile march protest from an African American college campus to downtown Charlotte. Their goal was to integrate upscale restaurants and hotels. Two weeks later, the civil rights leaders and white business owners sat down to eat lunch together and talk about negotiations nonviolently. “The city’s leadership recognized that there was a need to make necessary changes, but they did not want the violence that happened in other communities to happen here,” said Willie Ratchford, executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee. Eventually, everyone agreed and hotels and upscale restaurants became integrated.