Civil Rights

By SamanthaW3312
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    Montgomery Bus Boycott

    A civil protest emerged following the arrest of Rosa Parks, in allegations of bleaching segregation laws in the Alabama bus system.

  • Claudette Colvin arrested

    for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman.

  • Mary Louise Smith arrested

    for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman.

  • Rosa Parks arrested

    for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger.

  • The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) is created

    Instead of the expected 60% turnout, an estimated 90%-100% of the black community in Montgomery choose to participate in the boycott. Black leaders meet to discuss the possibility of extending the boycott. The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) is created at this meeting, and Dr. King elected its president. The MIA votes to extend the boycott.

  • List of demands made

    The MIA issues a formal list of demands. The city refuses to comply.

  • Bombing of Dr. King's home

    Dr. King's home is bombed. In response, Dr. King calls for peaceful protest rather than violent action.

  • E. D. Nixon's home is bombed

  • Dr. King made leader

    Dr. King is indicted as a leader of the boycott and ordered to pay $500 or serve 386 days in jail.

  • A federal district makes ruling

    A federal district court rules that bus segregation is unconstitutional.

  • The Supreme Court gets involved

    The Supreme Court upholds the district court ruling and strikes down laws requiring racial segregation on buses. The MIA resolves to end the boycott only when the order to desegregate is officially implemented.

  • The Supreme Court makes orders

    The Supreme Court's orders of injunction against segregation on city buses are delivered to the Montgomery City Hall.

  • End of boycott

    Montgomery's buses are officially desegregated. The MIA ends the boycott.