sitinsremain

Sitinsremain is an international, open-access archive and live database dedicated to sit-in protests and related nonviolent occupations. The project records ongoing and historical sit-ins, including start dates, locations, organizers, stated demands, duration, and outcomes. It emphasizes the persistence of peaceful protest by tracking how long sit-ins endure and what events influence their continuation or resolution.

Origins and scope: Sitinsremain was launched in 2023 by the nonprofit organization Civic Ledger Foundation and a volunteer editorial network. Its stated purpose is to provide researchers, journalists, educators, and the public with transparent, verifiable information about nonviolent actions across regions. Data are gathered from media reports, NGO briefings, official statements, and firsthand participant accounts, with cross-checking to reduce error.

Data and structure: The database uses a standardized schema that includes fields for location, start date, duration, organizing group, core demands, actions taken, security or legal responses, and outcome. Entries are periodically updated, and archived when campaigns end. An accompanying public map and API allow external researchers to access the data.

Governance and access: Content is contributed by a community of editors, with a published code of conduct and a transparent review process. The project is released under an open data license to encourage reuse while requiring attribution. Privacy safeguards and safety guidelines are applied to sensitive information from ongoing protests.

Impact and reception: Sitinsremain is used by scholars studying protest movements, educators teaching civics, and journalists reporting on civil disobedience. It has been praised for transparency and accessibility but criticized for potential risks of surveillance, misreporting, and the uneven quality of sources in fast-moving situations.

Notable campaigns documented include the Harbor Square Sit-in (Cityville, 2024) and the Riverside Plaza Occupation (Northport, 2022–2023), illustrating the range of demographics, causes, and outcomes tracked by the database.