may 2, 1963 - Birmingham Protests/Bull Connor
Description:
Birmingham, AL
Activists targeted Birmingham for a major confrontation
Birmingham known for strong segregation and racism
Bull Conner was the commissioner of public safety for the city and was a strong resistor
The movement called to integrate the stores within the city, led by MLK
MLK led demonstration into Birmingham, after support within Birmingham was scarce
Local white clergyman criticized King's decisions, King answered with the letter from Birmingham jail
King was released on bond eight days later and began further planning
King planned to remove children from school and have them march , hoping to get their parents involved
The protesters (children) were arrested and sent to Birmingham jail, 700 children had been arrested on the first day
On the second day, the children met at the sixteenth street baptist church
Bull Conner answered with the city's police dogs
Then the fire dept. turned fire hoses on the demonstrators
This gained national attention and the rest of the country was appalled by the events, garnering massive support for the movement
Bull Conner continued to use the hoses, 2500 more arrested
Riots followed and spread into other cities
Kennedy is forced to address the situation
He publicly supports the civil rights movement and plans government action (Civil Rights Act).
Added to timeline:
AP Gov Civil Rights Timeline
Date:
