Sit-ins were primarily organized in public spaces, particularly at segregated establishments such as restaurants, lunch counters, and other venues serving the public. The goal was to directly confront and challenge public segregation, which was a significant social issue during the Civil Rights Movement.
While sit-ins were a form of nonviolent protest against segregation, they also served to highlight broader social issues, including police violence (often faced by protesters), voting restrictions (as activists sought to end discrimination that limited voting rights), and economic inequality (as segregation often intersected with economic disparities).
In summary, sit-ins were most specifically aimed at addressing public segregation but also brought attention to related social issues like police violence, voting restrictions, and economic inequality.