Unsung Heroes of Oklahoma Civil Rights Sit-Ins: Minute Men Commandos

The Minute Men Commandos protected participants in Oklahoma City sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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During the Civil Rights Movement, the Minute Men Commandos were a group of young men who protected Oklahoma City sit-in participants under the leadership of schoolteacher and civil rights leader Clara Luper. The Commandos served as a buffer between the sit-in participants and an angry public, ready to respond at a moment's notice when Luper called them into action.

Why it matters

The Minute Men Commandos played a crucial but often overlooked role in the Civil Rights Movement, providing security and support for activists engaged in nonviolent protests against segregation. Their story highlights the bravery and discipline of the young men who answered Luper's call to action and the importance of community-based organizations in sustaining the civil rights struggle.

The details

The Minute Men Commandos were organized through the NAACP and trained under Luper's leadership. Their purpose was to protect the sit-in participants and serve as a buffer during segregation. Jahruba Lambeth, one of the Commandos, said Luper would call them and direct them to specific locations where African Americans were being denied service, and the group would respond immediately.

  • The Minute Men Commandos were active during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

The players

Clara Luper

A schoolteacher and civil rights leader who organized the Oklahoma City sit-ins and led the Minute Men Commandos.

Jahruba Lambeth

One of the young men who was part of the Minute Men Commandos and hosted their meetings at his house.

Charles E. Woods

A member of the Minute Men Commandos who expressed gratitude for Luper's influence and the progress made since the civil rights era.

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What they’re saying

“One day, Clara came to me and said I'm starting this group called the Commandos, and I want you to be a part of it. She said, 'Matter of fact, I want you to have the meetings at your house,'”

— Jahruba Lambeth (wbal.com)

“My understanding for the Commandos, we were a group who was supposed to be ready to go in a minute — where we got the Minute Men Commandos,”

— Jahruba Lambeth (wbal.com)

“You look back, and you say I didn't think it would be this far. Because when I went to places, you couldn't get in, you couldn't drink this, you couldn't eat that,”

— Charles E. Woods (wbal.com)

“To me, if it wasn't for Ms. Luper, I wouldn't be here. The way she taught me, and what she taught me, she was kind of like a drum major for justice.”

— Charles E. Woods (wbal.com)

The takeaway

The Minute Men Commandos played a vital but often overlooked role in supporting the civil rights struggle in Oklahoma City, providing security and discipline to protect activists engaged in nonviolent protests. Their story highlights the importance of community-based organizations and the bravery of young people who answered the call to action during the Civil Rights Movement.