Civil Rights Movement In The 60's

In the 1960's, the civil rights movement began to grow, much faster and more widespread than previous years. Organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (SCLC) the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee under John Nash, and Diane Lewis (SNCC), started gaining more attention as the 60's progressed. Their goals and focus shifted periodically, beginning with social problems, to political issues, and finally economic concerns. In this time period, civil rights groups also changed their approach from nonviolent to violent, which affected the membership and support they received from the nation. During the early 60's, social problems,

Though many were harassed verbally, physically, and even arrested, many more people "sat-in". Soon the Freedom Riders rallied against segregated busses and bus stations. They were met with horrible violence from the Klu Klux Klan and even everyday civilians, but still continued to stay peaceful. In the Supreme Court case, Boynton v Virginia, they ruled that racial segregation in bus terminals was illegal, as it violated the Interstate Commerce Act. Even after the ruling, segregation still occurred with and the protestors were met with increasing violence. Robert Kennedy soon caved under pressure as the threat to the freedom riders grew, and had the ICC (Interstate Commerce Committee) tighten its policies on segregated bus stations. Civil rights leaders even tried to integrate one of the most segregated cities in America, which was located in Birmingham, Alabama. It was dubbed "Bombmingham" as there was a low tolerance for blacks and hate crimes were prevalent. SCLC's Dr. Martin Luther King was jailed at the demonstration in Birmingham along with

SCLC remains nonviolent while SNCC changes drastically switching the "Nonviolent" part of their name to "National",(1969) even kicking out all white members. They become more invested with the ideas and plans of the Black Panthers and their 10 point plan. (1966) These groups were no longer supported by the government because they promoted violence. The leader's objectives shift once again, and begin to center the movement on economic concerns. MLK's Chicago campaign contributed especially in the adjustment of views from political to economic, as many blacks in Chicago were not fired up as much as blacks were in the south about political issues. SCLC tried to gain national attention, but the law enforcement of Chicago was not violent. The problems that blacks faced in Chicago was more economic, so in 1967 some of SCLC stayed in Chicago to assist in fair housing and voter registration. Black power also gained popularity at this time. Joined by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) the SCLC creates the Poor People's Campaign. Its purpose was meant to shift the focus to the poverty and economic inequality. Many races came together to help the cause including poor whites. In Memphis, Tennessee April 4th, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray while participating in a strike for black