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THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN

THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN. Confronting segregation in Alabama. The origins of the Birmingham campaign. Birmingham was chosen by the SCLC as one of the most segregated cities in the South.

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THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN

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  1. THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN Confrontingsegregation in Alabama

  2. The origins of the Birmingham campaign • Birmingham was chosen by the SCLC as one of the most segregated cities in the South. • SCLC believed that by provoking the police into a violent response to black protest, this would generate publicity and would force the city government to negotiate over desegregation. • The campaign lasted from 11 April until 10 May 1963.

  3. Bull Connor The Birmingham Police Commissioner, Bull Connor, was well known for his opposition to desegregation. SCLC believed that Connor would order a violent response to protests, which would play into SCLC’s hands.

  4. Birmingham – Phase 1 King and Abernathy were not welcomed by all Birmingham’s Negroes. However, enough volunteers were gathered for a protest to be led by them. King and the others were arrested. While in solitary confinement, King wrote his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, justifying the use of non-violent protest. Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy lead a line of demonstrators to a confrontation with police that they knew would result in their arrest.

  5. Birmingham – Phase 2 SCLC then proposed using high school students to continue protests that older Birmingham Negroes were not supporting. This tactic was keenly supported by young people. Their large protests provoked the expected violent response. In front of a department store, youths taunt a policeman.

  6. Birmingham – Phase 2 Angered at the public disobedience of his order, Connor ordered his men to use force to disperse the protests. In the top photo, a group of churchgoers kneel in prayer in front of police and firemen. In the bottom one, police use dogs to attack protesters.

  7. Birmingham – Phase 2 The sight of fireman turning high pressure water hoses on children and adolescents sickened many Americans. One disgusted fireman said later, "We're supposed to fight fires, not people."

  8. Birmingham – Phase 2 The next day, millions of people saw such photos in newspapers or watched the protests on television. President John F. Kennedy said it made him feel “sick” watching children being attacked by dogs and hoses. After being hit from behind and being knocked down by the hoses, a woman is picked up and rescued by a witness.

  9. The end to the campaign After another violent confrontation on 5 May 1963, followed by another three days of protests, the city authorities negotiated with King and SCLC leaders. On 10 May an agreement was reached which led to many measures that effectively desegregated much of Birmingham. ‘White’ and ‘coloured’ signs were removed, lunch counters open to Negroes and public facilities desegregated.

  10. Results of the Birmingham campaign • Birmingham Negroes faced less discrimination in jobs. • The protests showed the Negro community that it could stand together successfully against brutality. • King showed that non-violent protest could be effective. He became the top black leader in America. • Pressure was placed on President Kennedy to legislate against segregation. • Attorney General Robert Kennedy decided to support the civil rights movement more actively.

  11. http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/facingtoday/civil-rights-protesters-offehttp://www.facinghistory.org/resources/facingtoday/civil-rights-protesters-offe

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