lang: en
Summary
In March and April 1960, students from Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland, conducted sit-ins and picketing to desegregate department store restaurants. The campaign lasted three weeks and successfully achieved its goal of ending segregation in those restaurants. The students were influenced by the Greensboro sit-ins and received support from community organizations and white allies.
Background
Baltimore was at the forefront of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, having desegregated taxis, buses, and schools earlier than much of the country. However, department store restaurants remained segregated. Students from Morgan State College aimed to end this segregation through nonviolent protest.
What happened
In March 1960, following the Greensboro sit-ins, Morgan State College students began sit-ins at the Northwood Shopping Center, despite advice from the Urban League to protest downtown [source: nv-database]. After ten days of disruption, the department stores obtained an injunction limiting students to two pickets per entrance, which drew more attention and led students to move protests downtown [source: nv-database]. The students remained polite and orderly, earning police praise [source: nv-database]. The president of the largest department store chain initially ordered restaurants closed if students entered, but as participation waned, students agreed to negotiate [source: nv-database]. Accompanied by NAACP and Urban League members, the students met with the president, who immediately agreed to change the policy [source: nv-database]. The campaign lasted three weeks and achieved full desegregation of the restaurants [source: nv-database].
Key people & organizations
- Morgan State College Student Council
- Urban League
- NAACP
- Young Women’s Christian Association
- The Hecht-May Company department stores
Tactics used
The sit-ins and picketing disrupted business operations, while the injunction and subsequent move downtown increased public attention. Negotiation, supported by established civil rights organizations, secured the policy change. [source: nv-database]
Outcome
Verdict: won.
All goals were achieved: department store restaurants were desegregated. The campaign succeeded due to sustained nonviolent disruption, community support, and willingness to negotiate. However, the campaign did not grow significantly in size. [source: nv-database]
Lessons
- Nonviolent direct action like sit-ins can effectively disrupt segregation and force negotiation.
- Community support, including from white allies and established organizations, strengthens a campaign.
- Maintaining discipline and politeness can reduce repression and build public sympathy.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
[[nv-database]]
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py