106) Civil Rights Movement: March on Washington

RFK

ordered wire taps on MLK, did not fully trust him

Nov 22 1963

JFK assassinated in Dallas TX before his proposed civil rights bill was made law

1960

JFK elected pres, pro civil rights

Voter Education Project

supported by both Kennedys - purpose was to educate & encourage southern blacks to vote

May 14, 1961

"Freedom Riders" bus used by black civil rights protesters burned in Alabama. followed by a riot in Montgomery ALabama

Burmingham Alabama

- largest segregated city - where MLK focused his efforts - spring 1963 peaceful protest attacked by police w/ tear gas, sticks, dogs, & powerful fire hoses - King was arrested - while locked up King wrote "Letter from Bourmingham City Jail" which promoted nonviolence to instigate change

Freedom Riders

Group of civil rights workers who took bus trips through southern states in 1961 to protest illegal bus segregation

Aug 28 1963 March on Washington

The 1963 March on Washington attracted approx. 250,000 people for a peaceful demonstration to promote Civil Rights and economic equality for African Americans. Participants walked down Constitution and Independence avenues, then gathered at the Lincoln Monument for speeches, songs, and prayer. Most memorable speech of the day was the Rev Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Robert Kennedy, 1962 Oct

US Attorney General & brother of pres, ordered fed marshalls to University of Mississippi to enforce a court order to allow a black student to enroll - white mob rioted - fed troops had to be sent in response - 2 people killed before troops got control

2 weeks after march, 1963

a bomb killed 4 young black girls in the Burmingham Alabama church