Both local and federal officials were unwilling to enforce legal decisions that outlawed segregation. How did the students try to pressure the government to enforce the law?

By practicing sit-in protest, a form of civil disobedience.

Explanation:

Many African-Americans students engaged themselves in sit-in protests in segregated public spaces such as lunch rooms, service rooms, etc in order to gain support and sympathy from the public and government. It began in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960 which later spread over to the South. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent protests and civil disobedience, the movement had a great impact on the entire civil rights movement.

Answer: Through many tactics such as sit-ins, protests/demonstrations, and boycotts.