Reading #3 Challenging Jim Crow The 1963 March on Washington D.C.

Objective… Evaluate how the Kennedy Administration responded to the challenges of the Civil Rights Movement.

1960 Civil Rights Report: Discrimination affected AAs… 57% of housing unacceptable Life expect. 7 yrs < whites Infant mortality 2 X whites Impossible to get mortgages Property values drop when black family moved into a neighborhood

The 1960 Election & CRs Kennedy (Dem.) v. Nixon (Rep.) Dr. King is arrested during a protest against segregation… Ike is idle, Nixon is silent …JFK reaches out to Mrs. King and RFK persuades the judge to allow bail. Nixon said little about CR JFK promised discrimination would be eliminated “with a stroke of a pen.” JFK wins 70% of the black vote in 1960

Kennedy & CRs… JFK promises CR leaders… “minimum legislation, maximum executive actions” Two years into his presidency CR groups mail JFK pens in protest Is MLK a communist? JFK & RFK help MLK when arrested in Atlanta JFK appoints 5 AA federal judges …Including Thurgood Marshall First African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

Kennedy & CRs… JFK: Actions taken... Pressures federal government to employ AAs Forced Redskins to sign an AA player… Withholds use of the stadium The Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity fights discrimination in civil service & in corporations with government contracts Invigorates CR division of Dept. of Justice Why was JFK delayed in responding to the demand for civil rights?

1961: The Albany Movement Mass non-violent protests to end segregation in Albany, GA Organizers… SNCC, NAACP & SCLC Mobilized thousands, but was a FAILURE. The Albany police, avoided violent incidents that would attract national publicity…. They met non violence with non-violence Prisoners were sent to jails all over southwest GA

Freedom Rides… WHEN? WHO?... CORE WHAT?... Interracial groups ride the interstate bus system WHERE?... The deep South (ALA & MISS)

Freedom Rides WHY?... - Morgan v. Virginia… - Goal: Provoke southern authorities to arrest riders & force the Justice Dept. to enforce law… Fight Jim Crow

Results of the Freedom Rides… Extreme violence… White mobs attack & beat riders Reveals the unwillingness of federal government to enforce laws Personal representative of RFK almost beaten to death Forces JFK/ RFK to act… The ICC bans segregation in all interstate travel National exposure of southern racism.

Integrating Ole Miss Sept Air Force vet James Meredith wins his case to enroll Governor Ross Barnett denies registration of Meredith RFK sends federal marshals Gov. Barnett encouraged resistance Riots: 2 killed, 169 marshals injured JFK sends 5K troops…Meredith went to school James Meredith by Federal Marshals James Meredith - Shot during a voting rights march in June, 1966

Birmingham, Alabama… The most segregated city in the South 40% black 80K voters… 10K black voters KKK stronghold... A.K.A. “Bombing-ham” MLK’s demands Birmingham desegregate… - Protesters & fill the city jails - Boycott stores & business - Engage Eugene Connor

Birmingham becomes a national media event… Mass protests... Nationally seen on TV Police reaction… Arrests, dogs, fire hoses & beatings The arrest of MLK – Letter From Birmingham Jail Children’s Crusade Black youth becomes violent Eugene “Bull” Connor -"I want them to see the dogs work,"

A police officer arrests MLK… Dr. King’s Letter From the Birmingham Jail

Birmingham Children's Crusade May, 1963 Children march & are arrested 900 students arrested in a makeshift stadium/ jail Bull Connor orders the use of fire hoses & dogs Malcolm X is critical… "Real men don't put their children on the firing line.” Helps gain support for the 1964 Civil Right Act.

Birmingham – May, 1963 Justice Dept negotiates a settlement MLK declares victory Connor & Gov. Wallace denounce the settlement A KKK rally & several bombings force JFK to send 3,000 troops The 16 th Street Church is bombed… Eventually the negotiated settlement is followed

The Bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church

The significance of Birmingham… The nation is in shock...White support for the movement is evolving The CR movement is inspired The CR movement joins the working poor with the students, professional & religious groups – “FREEDOM NOW!” JFK endorses CR

The murder of Medgar Evers… The defining moment for JFK Vocal member of the NAACP JFK announces his CR bill... “a moral issue” That evening Evers is murdered....shot in the back at his home.

The March on Washington WHAT?... A non-violent march supporting of JFK’s proposed CR bill WHO?... SCLC, NAACP, SNCC, CORE – 250,000 people WHERE? Washington DC WHEN? August, 1963 *JFK is assassinated Nov. 22, 1963

“I have a dream...” _ISA030c&NR=1