ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The protesters calling for justice in Andrew Brown Jr.‘s death aren’t the first ones to fight for civil rights in Elizabeth City.

The first fights for social justice started in the 1960’s. Elizabeth City State University History Professor Glen Bowman wrote a book about the city’s past titled, "The Continuity of Historical Legacy of Excellence and Resilience." He says some of the first movements were led by ECSU students.

One of the first student sit-ins was held at department store W.T. Grant. At the time, Black people were not allowed to sit at the lunch counter, but we’re allowed to shop in the store.

"By the end of the first day, about 13 students decided to sit at the lunch counter and demonstrate their opposition to traditions that had kept them from enjoying the basic freedoms that Americans enjoy," said Bowman.

Then a few years later, more students worked to desegregate downtown Elizabeth City by holding sit-ins at multiple businesses.

Now, more than 60 years later, protesters are still working toward justice. This time it’s for Brown.

"The gaps are still there...the gaps are still there," said Bowman. "And I think demonstrations hopefully will continue to close those gaps. I hope what we have been seeing here this week, will help people understand that we are not the society that we really could be," he added.

Bowman is working to get a historical marker placed at 303 East Main Street. That’s where the first sit-in was held at W.T. Grant. The business and original building are no longer in downtown, but the address still exists.