Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa is set to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the historic Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins with a ceremony honoring surviving participants. Mayor Jane Castor will present a proclamation to former Florida State Senator Arthenia Joyner and other individuals involved in the movement, acknowledging their role in advancing desegregation efforts.

The event will also serve as a prelude to the Stageworks Theatre production of "When the Righteous Triumph," which depicts the 1960 Tampa sit-ins. The play will be staged at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in March.

The Woolworth sit-ins began on February 29, 1960, when students from Middleton and Blake High Schools, led by Clarence Fort and joined by community leaders like Rev. A. Leon Lowry and Arthenia Joyner, conducted peaceful protests at the segregated lunch counter in downtown Tampa. Inspired by similar actions nationwide, these students occupied seats at the counter until they were served. Unlike many other cities where such protests met with violence, Tampa's sit-ins were characterized by their disciplined nonviolence, leading to what became known as the "Tampa Technique." This strategic plan facilitated a peaceful transition to integrated public spaces and played a significant role in dismantling racial barriers in Tampa while contributing to the broader Civil Rights Movement across the South.

Mayor Jane Castor remarked, “These students and community leaders who took a stand against injustice in Tampa shaped not only our city’s history but the broader fight for equality.” She added that their legacy serves as a reminder that change begins with courage and expressed anticipation for sharing their story through an upcoming stage production.

"When the Righteous Triumph," written by local playwright Mark E. Leib, narrates the events of 1960 and their enduring impact on civil rights. The play is scheduled to run from March 6-9 and March 15-16 at the Straz Center.

Media representatives are invited to attend Thursday's proclamation ceremony outside the former F.W. Woolworth building at N. Franklin St & E Polk St in downtown Tampa. RSVPs can be sent to media@tampagov.net.