Birmingham, Alabama Describe the events that shocked the world in Birmingham Explain why the events in Birmingham were useful to the civil rights movement.

Problems with the civil rights movement in demonstrations had only won small victories and made limited progress MLK and other leaders didn’t know if further demonstrations would be successful MLK and the SCLC had failed to achieve real changes Civil rights depended on large numbers of protestors willing to go to jail Court injunction against protesting, 800% increase in bail costs, few volunteered to demonstrate as it could mean losing homes and jobs while in jail long term

Why Birmingham, Alabama? KKK was the most violent in the USA Police force led by Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor Governor was George Wallace - “ segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” 3

Objectives MLK and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth had 2 clear objectives: Desegregate public facilities Desegregate department stores 4

MLK in Birmingham MLK arrived on April 3 rd, 1963 – he describes the city as “I think I should give the reasons for my being in Birmingham. Birmingham is probably the most segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of police brutality is known in every section of the country. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any city in this nation. These are the hard, brutal and unbelievable facts.” MLK decided Birmingham was the place to grab the headlines and achieve success

Martin Luther King visits ‘Bombingham’ 0lD37bq8YI MLK is arrested — while in jail he writes an open letter to the American people asking them if they will side with the racist whites like Bull Connor or will stand by their Declaration of Independence and uphold the 1st amendment ‘that all men are created equal’

Project C – Fill the jails, Force a Change –MLK and Shuttlesworth knew it was only a matter of time before Bull Connor took extreme action –Previous demonstrations and sit-ins had not worked –King decided to use children to get their point across and shock the nation 7

D-Day May 2 nd, 1963 “Kids there’s going to be a party at the park” –Students left school to demonstrate –Congregating at a church, using their non-violent protest, they marched towards the police –Students were arrested (973 total) aged 6-18 –Cells meant for 50 – held 300 children –Events of the day were mostly non-violent

Double D-Day, May 3 rd, 1963 Police waited with dogs and fire hoses ‘Bull’ Connor ran out of cells, so began blowing children off of their feet As young children were attacked news reporters captured the images on film Dogs set on students – 1922 children sent to jail, the jail was full They were then taken to the fair grounds and locked in a pen – some stayed as long as 2 weeks j6http:// j6

Result of D-Day Americans were horrified and shocked as they watched white police officers attack children with fire hoses, dog, batons, tear gas and electric cattle prods 10

KKK retaliation KKK members were furious to hear that Birmingham was desegregating Klansmen rioted in the city and firebombed black churches and homes Gaston Motel- bombed by KKK- as civil rights workers escaped building, they were attacked by Alabama State Police 40 injured, 7 shops destroyed by fire 11

Sunday September 15th, 1963 Tensions running high after civil rights leaders began promoting voting rights ation/clips/ztjjmp3http:// ation/clips/ztjjmp3 12

Kennedy’s Involvement President forced to take federal action Appeared on tv and promised to do something saying “race has no place in American life or law” Ordered an end to segregation in Birmingham May 13th, 1963 — 3000 troops are sent in to restore order 13

Turning point in the civil rights movement zoQhttps:// zoQ

Parents and children marched together – Despite Bull Connors orders the firemen refused to release the water 20,000 skipped school to go to jail Businesses desegregated after a boycott Effects of the Children's March School Board expelled children 11 page spread in Life Magazine 186 cities marched to support the children President Kennedy – Finally called for change June 11 th, 1963 ***Revived the civil rights movement**** King almost called off the march MLK worried about the effect on the children national media attention was bad for business black and white businessmen got together to sort out a deal toilets, lunch counters, changing rooms and water fountains would be desegregated within 90 days KKK were furious Black citizens of Birmingham were against the tactics used