1. 1960s Civil Rights Movement
What were the triumphs & challenges for civil rights in America?

2. Freedom Riders
CORE & SNCC members want to test bus desegregation laws board two “Freedom Buses” to ride from Wash DC to New Orl.
VQ/Discuss: Would you have participated in a freedom ride?
Although buses attacked, Freedom Riders plan more rides, US Marshalls will now protect Freedom Riders
VQ/Discuss: According to the original Freedom Riders, why was their action so important?

3. Violence Rocks the South (1963)
SCLC begins peaceful protests in Birmingham, which was being rocked by violence
Comm of Public Safety Bull Connor allows use of fire hoses, dogs, and clubs to stop march
MLK arrested, writes “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
VQ: What/why were there triumphs in Alabama & Mississippi?
June: Civil rights leader Medgar Evers assassinated in Jackson
Sept: Four young Af-Am girls killed when church is bombed

4. March on Washington
1963: SCLC organizes a march on Washington 250K show up
Dr. King delivers his “I Have A Dream” speech
FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover orders an investigation of King
Discuss: Message of Dr. King’s speech?

5. Freedom Summer
1964: CORE and SNCC members organize college students to register African Americans to vote in Mississippi
Three workers (two white, one black) are arrested by local police and then disappear after their release
FBI sent to investigate, learn of a police cover-up of crime

6. Bloody Sunday
After passage of 1964 Civil Rights Act, 24th Amendment (outlaws poll tax) was proposed
SCLC plans Selma to Montgomery peace march in early 1965 (focus new effort on voting rights)
Police in riot gear wait for marchers to cross Pettus bridge
VQ/Discuss: What happened when protestors crossed the bridge and why was non-violent resistance important?
VQ: What was LBJ’s message and action?

7. Voting Rights Act of 1965
In response to violence at Selma, Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965
New law eliminated all voting restrictions & allows Federal examiners to enroll voters – Af-Am voting triples!
VQ/Discuss: What was MLK’s message after the third march?