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Celebration of city sit-ins kicks off

By Jessica Jackson | Modified: August 18, 2008 at 12:09 am | Published: August 18, 2008 Comment on this article

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Clara Luper service

Jun 17Service for Clara Luper at Cox center. Speakers Gov...

Chelle Luper Wilson

Jun 15Chelle Luper Wilson, daughter of the late Clara Luper...

Harold Green

Jun 15Harold Green, son of the late Clara Luper, remembers what...

Marilyn Hildreth

Jun 15Marilyn Hildreth, daughter of the late Clara Luper,...

Bruce Fisher reflects on Clara Luper's legacy

Jun 9Bruce Fisher from the Oklahoma History Center reflects on...

Oklahoma civil rights leader Clara Luper has died

Jun 9Long-time civil rights leader Clara Luper died Wednesday,...

Clara Luper Day

Aug 23Participants walk through northeast Oklahoma City in the...

Luper addresses Katz Drug Store sit-in

Aug 18Clara Luper talks about the circumstances surrounding the...

Interview with I.G. Purser

Aug 17I.G. Purser, who as a lieutenant was assigned to oversee...

Freedom Fiesta Celebration

Aug 17Civil rights leader kicked off a week-long celebration in...

Sunday Conversation - Bruce Fisher

Aug 16Oklahoman reporter Devona Walker talks with Bruce Fisher...

Clara Luper talks about persevering

Aug 17Clara Luper shares how her and her friends persevered...

Clara Luper

Feb 22The Oklahoman looks at the life of Civil Rights leader...

Civil Rights Movement

Sep 17City Editor Kay Dyer remembers a Sit-In during the...

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Article Gallery: Celebration of city sit-ins kicks off

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Memories of Clara Luper

John Clanton, Jim Beckel, Garett Fisbeck

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Clara Luper is greeted with a pat on the arm Sunday by an audience member during Doc Williams Day at Friendship Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Just days before the anniversary of the Katz Drugstore sit-in, which led to the desegregation of Oklahoma City eating establishments, community members and friends gathered at Friendship Baptist Church in Oklahoma City to honor those who peacefully fought for civil rights.

"I don't think any of us knew what we were doing would change the course of history,” said Marilyn Hildreth, activist and daughter of civil rights leader Clara Luper.

Ayanna Najuma, 57, of Washington, D.C., was one of the original 12 sit-in participants and said she didn't realize the long-term effects of her actions.

"Whoever knew the impact of the work I did as a kid would open all these doors for America after 50 years?” she said.

‘A new sense of pride'

Throughout the week, the Freedom Center is hosting numerous events in honor of various civil rights participants, ending with Clara Luper's Day Saturday.

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