This collection documents the Atlanta Student Movement during the Civil Rights Era. It highlights student activism in the Atlanta University Consortium (AUC); Clark College, Morris Brown, Morehouse College, Atlanta University, and Spelman College. The collection includes newspaper and journal articles, flyers, reports, photographs, and correspondence by and about students from the AUC schools. Of note are copies of An Appeal for Human Rights written by student leaders, which set forth the student's grievances, rights, and aspirations as well as their dissatisfaction with the status quo conditions of segregation and discrimination and the slow pace at which inherent human and civil rights were being meted out to African Americans. The Appeal was published as a full-page ad in the March 9, 1960 editions of the Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta Journal, and Atlanta Daily World. It was subsequently published in the New York Times, providing national awareness of student activism in the civil rights struggle in Atlanta. The issuance of the Appeal was followed by sit-ins and pickets at specifically targeted businesses, government and transportation facilities in Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia, and kneel-ins at churches. The participants in the Atlanta student movement organized commemorative reunions, 1990 and 2000 to re-examine the civil rights movement and discuss current efforts and projections for the future. Programs, minutes, correspondence, and news articles from the reunions are included in the collection. 

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Aug 24, 2023

Atlanta Student Movement Collection

This collection documents the Atlanta Student Movement during the Civil Rights Era. It highlights student activism in the Atlanta University Consortium (AUC); Clark College, Morris Brown, Morehouse College, Atlanta University, and Spelman College. The collection includes newspaper and journal articles, flyers, reports, photographs, and correspondence by and about students from the AUC schools. Of note are copies of An Appeal for Human Rights written by student leaders, which set forth the student's grievances, rights, and aspirations as well as their dissatisfaction with the status quo conditions of segregation and discrimination and the slow pace at which inherent human and civil rights were being meted out to African Americans. The Appeal was published as a full-page ad in the March 9, 1960 editions of the Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta Journal, and Atlanta Daily World. It was subsequently published in the New York Times, providing national awareness of student activism in the civil rights struggle in Atlanta. The issuance of the Appeal was followed by sit-ins and pickets at specifically targeted businesses, government and transportation facilities in Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia, and kneel-ins at churches. The participants in the Atlanta student movement organized commemorative reunions, 1990 and 2000 to re-examine the civil rights movement and discuss current efforts and projections for the future. Programs, minutes, correspondence, and news articles from the reunions are included in the collection.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.

For:
  • Subjects = Race discrimination
  • Decade = 2000-2009
"A Second Appeal for Human Rights" reflects on the legacy of the Atlanta Student Movement's initial "Appeal for Human Rights", published in 1960 by students from Atlanta University Center institutions. The second appeal, issued at the dawn of the 21st century, acknowledges progress since the civil rights movement but emphasizes persistent challenges in achieving economic and social justice, eradicating systemic racial disparities, and promoting equal access. This document also invites individuals to participate in the 40th Anniversary Commemoration of the historic "An Appeal for Human Rights" and the Atlanta Student Movement (1960-2000). The commemorative event is scheduled at the Atlanta University Center from March 31 to April 2, 2000. 3 pages.
Atlanta Student Movement Collection
The document "An Appeal For Human Rights" is a historic manifesto written by students from the Atlanta University Center, including Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown, Spelman Colleges, Atlanta University, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. The appeal represents their united effort to demand the recognition of their inherent human rights and equal treatment as citizens of the United States. They express their support for the larger civil rights movement and sit-down protests, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with the slow progress of desegregation and equality. The students highlight critical areas of discrimination in Atlanta, such as education, jobs, housing, voting, healthcare, public accommodations, and law enforcement, and assert that racial segregation goes against the principles of democracy and Christianity. They call for an end to discriminatory practices and pledge to use legal and non-violent means to secure their full citizenship rights. (2 pages)
Atlanta Student Movement Collection