The Civil Rights Movement SS8H11 b & c

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Feb. 1960- black students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College participated in a lunch counter sit-in. Sit-in: when people enter a public building and refuse to leave until they are served or their demands are met. April 1960- black students at Shaw University organized the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. SNCC- “Snick” First President- John Lewis (from GA) Members worked to help blacks register to vote and organized protests, sit-ins, and boycotts.

Sibley Commission 1955- the Georgia General Assembly voted to cut off state funds to any system that integrated its schools. 1960- the Georgia General Assembly organized a fourteen- member commission, headed by Atlanta attorney and banker John Sibley, to study the problem of integration. The Sibley Commission held hearing all over the state to learn how the public felt about integration. By 3:2 margin, Georgians said they would rather close schools than integrate them. The Commission recommended that local school system be allowed to decide if they would integrate their schools or close them. Private schools were opened to avoid this issue.

Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter January 6, 1961- the University of Georgia allowed its first two black students to be escorted into the school by state patrol officers. Charlayne Hunter- graduate from Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and became a nationally known newspaper and public television reporter. Hamilton Holmes- graduate and became an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta. Many alumni and students pleaded with Governor Vandiver to close UGA rather than integrate, but he would not. After this he asked the legislature to repeal all other segregation laws in Georgia.

Albany Movement 1955- integration of interstate bus and train stations. November 1, 1961- workers with the NAACP and Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee decided to test the integration rulings by sitting in the “whites only” waiting room at the city’s bus station. They were arrested. African American community united and formed the Albany Movement. Led by Dr. William Anderson

In December, black and white “freedom riders” arrived in Albany to support the movement. They were arrested at Central Railway Terminal. SNCC organized a march to the train station. Students were arrested and jailed while the nation watched via television. MLK, Jr. and Reverend Ralph Abernathy were arrested while in town for a meeting with city officials.

March on Washington 1963 June 19, 1963- President Kennedy sent the strongest civil rights bill in history to Congress. End to discrimination in public facilities, assurance of fair employment and voter-registration practices, withholding of federal funds from projects where discrimination was practiced and the authority to file suit against school districts who weren’t integrated. Congress didn’t act quickly. August 28, 1963- 250,000 people gathered before the Washington Monument to demonstrate for its passage. Dr. King gave his “I have a Dream” Speech.

Civil Rights Act JFK didn’t live to see the Civil Rights bill become law. Assassinated November 23, 1963 and Lyndon B. Johnson(VP) was sworn in. Johnson vowed to continue fighting for the earliest possible passage of the Civil Rights bill. Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law. Legislation: Made segregation of all public facilities illegal. Gave federal government right to withhold money from schools who refused to integrate. Prohibited discrimination in businesses and labor unions.

Maynard Jackson 1974- Atlanta’s first African American and youngest mayor, Maynard Jackson, was sworn in. Swearing- in ceremony was held in the Atlanta Civic Center because the traditional site, City Hall, wasn’t big enough. Graduated from Morehouse and was an Atlanta attorney before becoming mayor. “Ultimate Mayor”- he created “neighborhood planning units” to give citizens a voice. Addressed police brutality Led development and expansion of MARTA Expanded Hartsfield Airport

Established a Bureau of Cultural Affairs Provided financial support to artists and art programs. Found the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, IMAGE, and Art Papers. Added art to community buildings; MARTA stations, Hartsfield Airport, and City Hall. Restored the Cyclorama Worked to have Atlanta chosen as the site of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games. Died in 2003 Atlanta’s airport was renamed Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Lester Maddox 1967- segregationist Lester Maddox became governor. Became famous for closing his Atlanta restaurant instead of integrating it. Confusion over write-ins led to the legislature choosing the governor. Appointed more African Americans to state boards and commissions than all prior governors combined. Name the first black member of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Reformed state prisons Integrated the Georgia State Patrol Increased teacher salaries and higher education “People’s Days”

Andrew Young Pastor in Thomasville when he became involved in the civil rights movement Joined SCLC and became its executive director Established “citizenship schools” which taught nonviolent organizing strategies to potential black leaders. Trusted aide to MLK, Jr. and was with him when he was assassinated. 1972- elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 1977- named U.S. ambassador to the United Nations 1981- returned to Atlanta and served 2 terms as mayor Currently a professor at Georgia State University