Ch.21.2 Civil Rights The Triumphs of a Crusade

1961 “Freedom riders” test Supreme Court ruling White activist James Peck hoped for violent reaction to bus trip across South. Bus one – racist mob attacks African American riders Bus two – 200 angry whites attack toss fire bomb into bus Birmingham, police pulled them off and beat them Kennedy administration sends 400 U.S. Marshals to protect riders Attorney General & Interstate Commerce Commission ban segregation in all interstate travel facilities.

Heading into Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama MLK invited to desegregate city April 12, 1963 King arrested Wrote open letter to white religious leaders Discussed need to protest against unfair treatment

Kennedy takes a stand Birmingham violence convinced Kennedy that only a new Civil Rights Act could end racial violence and satisfy the demands for racial justice. June 11, 1963 sent troops to force Gov. George Wallace to honor court order desegregation of the University of Alabama Demanded Congress to pass a civil rights bill Sniper murders Medger Evers – NAACP field secretary/ WWII vet. Police arrest white supremacist Released after two hung juries African Americans demand “Freedom now”

March on Washington Kennedy sends bill to Congress guaranteeing equal access to all public accommodations. August 28, ,000 people (75,000 whites) Demanded immediate passage of civil rights bill MLK gives “I have a Dream” speech Appealed for peace and racial harmony

Acts of Freedom Twenty-Fourth Amendment January 24, 1964 Eliminated poll tax Gave right to vote to millions disqualified because of poverty Civil Rights Act of 1964 LBJ signs, July 2, 1964 Prohibited discrimination because of race, religion, national origin, & gender Created federal commission to insure fair employment practices Gave federal government power to speed up desegregation in schools

Freedom Summer White students began registering African Americans to vote Hoped to influence Congress to pass a voting rights act. Trained college students in nonviolent resistance Racial beatings, murders, burning businesses, homes and churches continued through summer.

Fighting for Voting Rights SNCC organized the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) Fannie Lou Hamer Spokesperson at 1964 Democratic National Convention Shocked everyone! MFDP accepts compromise – gave 2 seats (68 total) and promise to ban discrimination at 1968 convention

Selma Campaign Protest after demonstrator (Jimmy lee Jackson) killed 50-mile protest march from Selma to Montgomery Nation watched on television protestors beaten by police Johnson asked Congress for new voting rights act March 31, 25,000 protestors again marched with federal protection

Voting Rights Act of 1965 Increased the role of the federal government in voter registration Eliminated literacy tests African Americans registered to vote rose from 10% (1964) to 60% (1968)