REV. JAMES LAWSON HELPS DALLAS CELEBRATE 5Oth ANNIVERSARY OF GREENSBORO SIT-INS
Fifty years ago, on February 1, 1960, four black men walked into the Woolworth’s lunch counter on Greensboro, N.C. They asked to be served and were refused. When they were asked to leave, they stayed in their seats. This simple act of passive resistance began a youth-led movement throughout the south to challenge racism, and established the sit-in as a popular and peaceful method of demonstrating opposition.
At the same time, in Nashville, Tenn., Rev. James Lawson was working with the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In that capacity he mentored young black students who eventually became leaders of the civil rights movement, such as Diane Nash and John Lewis. Martin Luther King Jr. called him “the leading nonviolence theorist in the world.”
Lawson will be in Dallas to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins at several public and private events throughout the weekend of January 30-February 1.
Public events:
Saturday, January 30: 2:00-4:00 p.m. Community Reception for Rev. Lawson at the African-American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave. in Fair Park. The event is free, but an RSVP is required for admittance. RSVP to the African American Museum at 214-565-9026, extension 315.
Sunday, January 31: 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. Rev. Lawson will preach at both services at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, 5710 East R L Thornton Freeway.
Monday, February 1: 7:00 p.m. “An Evening with Rev. James Lawson” at The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, at the corner of Akard & Canton Streets. The evening will feature a keynote speech by Rev. Lawson, include performances by the students of St. Phillips Academy, and highlight music and dramatic readings of words and authentic voices from the 60’s by local artists. Admission to this event is: single ticket in advance — $10; single ticket at the door — $15; and groups of 10 or more in advance — $7.50 each. Single tickets can be reserved through PayPal at www.dallaspeacecenter.org/greensboro. Groups can make reservations by calling Zara at 214-823-7793.
Underwriters, patrons and sponsors of Rev. Lawson’s trip to Dallas are the Dallas Peace Center, North Texas Conference United Methodist Church, the African American Museum, Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church.