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

The Atlanta Student Movement

1960-1965

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

1. The Atlanta Student Movement Marker

Inscription. In early February 1960, Morehouse College students Lonnie King, Julian Bond, Joseph Pierce and other students met here at the site of the former Yates & Milton Drug Store-an informal gathering place for students of the Atlanta University Center. Inspired by a student sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, the three young men laid the groundwork for what would become a seminal phase in the Civil Rights Movement. The Atlanta University Center, comprised of six historically black institutions of higher learning - Atlanta University, Clark College, Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College — was philosophically committed to the principles of non-violent disobedience as taught by Ghandi and M.L. King Jr. Students conducted marches, picketing and sit-ins that resulted in the desegregation of public and private facilities which had denied service or access to people of color. These included restaurants, businesses, schools, housing and hospitals. Thanks to the Atlanta Student Movement, the city began to live up to its slogan,

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Those willing to take an oath of non-violence were recruited to conduct fourteen sit-ins at local lunch counters, including the Magnolia Room of Rich's Department Store where they were joined by Martin Luther King, Jr. The students also conducted sit-ins at the segregated cafeterias of the Georgia State Capitol, Fulton County, City of Atlanta and several local restaurants which denied service or provided separate service to people of color. The actions of the Atlanta University Center students led to the desegregation of of Atlanta's businesses, schools, housing and health care facilities and eating establishments.

Commission to Honor an Appeal for Human Rights and
The Atlanta Student Movement

Lydia Arnold • Hon. Carolyn Long Banks • Charles A. Black • Wylma Long Blanding • Alethea Boone • Hon. Brenda Hill Cole • Dr. Herschelle Sullivan Challenor • Constance Curry • Dr. Riggins R. Earl • Samuel Jolley • Lonnie King • Valerie Levy • Dr. Roslyn Pope • Hon. Lottie Watkins • Dr. Mary Ann Wilson - Booker

Erected 2004 by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, Post 1 At-Large and City of Atlanta

The Atlanta Student Movement Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

2. The Atlanta Student Movement Marker (reverse)

Kasim Reed, Mayor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1960.

Location. 33° 44.966′ N, 84° 24.756′ 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 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: An Appeal for Human Rights (here,

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021

3. The Atlanta Student Movement Marker

next to this marker); Atlanta Student Movement Planned (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Atlanta Student Movement (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.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

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 554 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.