Which of the following were emphasized tactics for sit-ins?

• A. Break rules and leave when asked
• B. Ignore journalists
• C. Dress in casual wear and be aggressive
• D. Dress in your Sunday best; be respectful; don't resist arrest; don't fight back

Answer: (D)

Nonviolent discipline and how protesters present themselves are central to sit-ins. Dressing in Sunday best signals dignity and seriousness, showing the movement’s participants as respectable citizens rather than troublemakers. This helps broaden support beyond just those already sympathetic, making it harder for opponents to justify force and easier for the public and officials to view the demands as moral and legitimate. Not resisting arrest and not fighting back keeps the protest peaceful and consistent with nonviolence, preserving the moral authority of the movement and helping the media portray it in a favorable light. If protesters broke rules, acted aggressively, or dressed casually, it would undermine credibility, provoke harsher responses, and weaken the persuasive impact of the campaign.