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He first got notices when he helped lead (MIA) and the MONTGOMERY bus boycott in 1955, after a black woman, Rosa Parks, had refused to give up her seat to a white man on the segregated bus system. During this fight the Supreme Court declared segregation on buses illegal. He had lots of energy and enthusiasm and inspired people
• King believed in the NON –VIOLENT, DIRECT ACTION, methods used by Gandhi in the 1940s to demand the British give India its independence. • He was one of the leaders of the SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIPCONFERENCE (SCLC), which was formed to co-ordinate protests against discrimination after the bus boycott. • Although there were several large Civil Rights groups that supported peaceful protest, King became the most well-known and the spokesperson of the
peaceful Civil Rights protest. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. MLK – 1951 Graduated with a degree in theology (religion) 1955 Led the bus boycott in Montgomery 1957 Formed and led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference 1963 ‘I have a Dream’ speech during March on Washington 1964 Winner of the Nobel Peace Price 1968 Assassinated in Memphis
In 1963 King led protests against discrimination in BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA. • The white population was violently resisting desegregation. • The city was nicknamed ‘BOMBINGHAM’ because of the violence used by the whites against the Civil Rights protestors. • In order to not to integrate parks, playgrounds, swimming pools Alabama simply closed them all led by police chief ‘Bull’ Conner • King and the SCLC led sit-ins and marches to argue for de-segregation . Nearly half the population of Birmingham was black. • King said at a rally it was better to accept jail than segregation
• King was arrested and jailed for his part in the protests.
• In Prison he wrote ‘a letter from Birmingham jail’ arguing for direction action and not waiting for desegregation • When King was released from prison students and children went on a protest
• Police used dogs and water hoses against the protestors • • • •
‘Bull’ Connor arrested 2,000 demonstrators and children TV showed these events across America and the world King got the publicity he wanted It showed violent authorities in the South attacking peaceful protestors
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President Kennedy got involved. Talks between King and City officials took place. On 9th May It was agreed that de-segregation of the city would take place in 90 days
• As a result of this violence Kennedy decided to bring in the Civil Rights bill •
Leader of the NAACP in Jackson, Mississippi was shot dead by a white sniper 44