TAMPA, FLA. -- They took a stand by sitting down. Saturday, a permanent historical marker was unveiled in honor of those who organized and participated in the lunch counter sit-ins at Tampa’s former F.W. Woolworth store at 801 North Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa, 58 years ago.
- Participants in Tampa's 1960 Woolworth sit-ins honored
- Organizers, former students recognized for efforts to end segregation
- Efforts led to Tampa's lunch counters being integrated
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County Commissioners Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. and Sandra Murman attended the event where organizers and former high school student demonstrators were recognized for their courageous efforts to protest segregation.
Their efforts kicked off weeks of non-violent protests that eventually led to Tampa’s lunch counters being integrated.
The historical marker lists the names of dozens of people who took part in the protests that started on Feb. 29, 1960, and included students from George S. Middleton High School and Howard W. Blake High School. Their names are engraved on the marker which also includes two historical images.