GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's been nearly 60 years since four N.C. A&T students took a non-violent stand, by sitting at a lunch counter, sparking the national sit-in movement.
This year the International Civil Rights Center & Museum will mark the occasion with their annual awards and fundraising gala on Saturday night at the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum.
WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain emceed the event.
The theme of the 2020 gala is "The Movement Continues."
This year's gala also marked another milestone, 10 years since the museum opened.
In addition to remembering these milestones, the gala honored national and local activists who have made significant contributions to advancing human and civil rights.
Big names like Al Sharpton, Danny Glover, Clayola Brown, and Cardes Brown were in attendance.
Co-Founder of the International Civil Rights Museum Skip Alston says the night is about celebration.
"That’s a milestone people are coming out here to celebrate that milestone with the two remaining sit-in participants that are still with us – celebrating them and just giving them all our joy that we can and letting them know how much we appreciate what they did 60 years ago," said Alston.
Alston says several people showed up for the event to celebrate many milestones.
"A celebration of 60 years of a nonviolent struggle that took place right here in Greensboro North Carolina. That we should be proud of that we made that kind of mark on history," he said.
For more information on this year's gala, watch the video above, or head over the to museum's website by clicking here.