On August 7, 1960, Black and white students in Atlanta staged kneel-in demonstrations at segregated churches as part of the Civil Rights Movement. These demonstrations were a direct response to the racial segregation that still existed in many public spaces, including churches.

The kneel-ins were a peaceful form of protest, where students would kneel at the segregated pews in white-only sections of churches to challenge the unjust racial policies. This form of protest was inspired by the sit-ins, which had been effective in challenging segregation at lunch counters. The kneel-ins aimed to draw attention to the inequalities in religious institutions and to push for desegregation.

The Atlanta kneel-ins were significant not only for their direct challenge to segregation but also for their role in building momentum for broader civil rights actions across the South. The movement ultimately contributed to the desegregation of many public spaces and religious institutions.