The history of the sit-in movement

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Jun 23, 2016

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The history of the sit-in movement

Yesterday, a number of House Democrats staged a sit-in on the floor of Congress. We'll look at the origins of the sit in as a political statement.

This photo provided by Rep. Chillie Pingree,D-Maine, shows Democratic members of Congress, including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., center, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn. as they participate in sit-down protest seeking a a vote on gun control measures.

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Yesterday, a number of House Democrats staged a sit-in on the floor of Congress. We'll look at the origins of the sit in as a political statement.

Yesterday, a number of House Democrats, led by civil rights icon John Lewis from Georgia, staged a sit-in on the floor of Congress.

Participants announced that the action was staged to protest the lack of legislation for gun control.

But how did the original IDEA of the sit-in come about?

The origins might surprise you ... we talk about it with Robert Watson, he's an Assistant Professor at Hampton University.