USH 18:2 Challenging Segregation Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee – College students – Mostly African-American, but some Whites – Helped desegregate public facilities in South – Helped register African-American voters

Freedom Riders – Bus travel still remained segregated in South – Protesters boarded busses going south Busses attacked in some southern cities Challenging Segregation

Violence in Birmingham M.L. King organizers march in Alabama – Goal: Provide spark for a violent response Violent response would force Pres. Kennedy to act – King thrown in jail Writes “Letter from Birmingham Jail” – One of the most eloquent defenses of nonviolent protest ever written – Americans watch the brutality on T.V. Kennedy forced to act – Prepares a new civil rights bill

Civil Rights Act of 1964 The March on Washington – August 28, 1963 – Led by M.L. King – 200,000 demonstrators – March helps Kennedy pass civil rights law

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Bill doesn’t pass in Senate – “Filibuster” Continuous speaking to stop debate of a bill Bill eventually ‘dies’ – Kennedy’s assassination Johnson becomes president Southern Democrat who was able to get bill passed – Act was most comprehensive civil rights bill congress had ever passed

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Federal Gov’t has broad power to prevent racial discrimination – People of all races and nationalities had equal access to public accommodations – Lawsuits against school districts not desegregated – Private employers must end discrimination in workplace – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Monitors job discrimination based on – Race – Religion – Gender – National origin

Struggle for Voting Rights The Selma March (Jan 1965) – Campaign for voting rights – Many marchers beaten “Bloody Sunday” – Americans horrified as they watch on T.V. – Pres. Johnson enacts Voting Rights Act of 1965