Sit-in protests were a popular form of nonviolent direct action during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. These protests involved African American activists sitting at segregated lunch counters, restaurants, or other public establishments reserved for white people. By peacefully occupying these spaces and refusing to leave until they were served, the activists brought attention to the injustice of racial segregation and discrimination.

One of the most well-known sit-in protests took place in February 1960 at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Four African American college students from North Carolina A&T State University sat down at the "whites-only" counter and requested service. When they were denied, they remained seated in protest. The sit-in sparked a wave of similar demonstrations across the South and inspired a new generation of activists to join the Civil Rights Movement.

Sit-in protests were effective in raising awareness about the inequality and racism faced by African Americans in the United States. They helped to desegregate many public accommodations and were a powerful tactic in the fight for civil rights and racial equality. The bravery and persistence of those who participated in sit-ins played a crucial role in shaping the history of Black activism and advancing the cause of social justice.