Atlanta University Center in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Atlanta Student Movement

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

1. Atlanta Student Movement Marker

Inscription. In February 1960, here at the site of Yates and Milton Drugstore, three students from Morehouse College - Lonnie King, Joseph Pierce, and Julian Bond-- began to rally students from Atlanta's other historically black institutions-- Atlanta University, Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morris Brown College and Spelman College-- and launched the Atlanta Student Movement that helped to destroy Jim Crow in the American South. Following publication of An Appeal for Human Rights, authored by Roslyn Pope, the students waged a non-violent campaign that led to the desegregation of restaurants, movie theaters, parks and other federal, state, and local facilities. The first student sit-ins at 11 eating facilities in downtown Atlanta on March 15, 1960, led to the arrest of 77 students. Black and white leaders eventually negotiated a settlement that desegregated lunch counters in October 1961.

Erected 2014 by the Georgia Historical Society, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. (Marker Number 60-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights •

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Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1960.

Location. 33° 44.968′ N, 84° 24.764′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Atlanta University Center. It is at the intersection of Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard and Chestnut Street NW, on the right when traveling west on Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Atlanta Student Movement Planned (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Atlanta Student Movement (a few steps from this marker); An Appeal for Human Rights (a few steps from this marker); Rush Memorial Congregational Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); University Homes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lugenia Burns Hope (approx. ¼ mile away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. half a mile away); Citizens Trust Bank (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

More about this marker. Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. was formerly known as Fair St. Chestnut St. is a student walkway street.

Also see . . .

Marker is to right of street sign, looking west on Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

2. Marker is to right of street sign, looking west on Atlanta Student Movement Blvd.

SNCC article about the Atlanta Student Movement. (Submitted on November 15, 2021.)

Nearby Clark Atlanta University entrance gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

3. Nearby Clark Atlanta University entrance gate.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 680 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.