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Essay / The Civil Rights Movement - 1709
The Civil Rights Movement included the efforts of grassroots activists and national leaders to secure for African Americans the basic rights guaranteed to American citizens in the Constitution. Key players in the success of the civil rights movement were returning soldiers, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and anti-Vietnam War activists. During the civil rights movement, almost all African Americans had experienced segregation at lunch stands. In a diary by Melvin Small, she said: "Just as with segregated busing in Montgomery, Alabama, the African-American community, particularly the student portion, had once again reached its saturation point of inequality (Small). » To support the nonviolent protest started by King, nonviolent students from across the South sat at the lunch counters of various segregated variety stores (Pike). This was not an easy task as these students faced great difficulties. They suffered tear gas, police weapons, arrests and prison sentences in the name of justice (Pike). Many students were expelled from school because of their contributions to the movement. Entire student groups from several colleges demonstrated in protest, despite intimidation from the police. Once again, King's belief in the power of unity was illustrated. The movement attracted national attention. In doing so, city officials attempted to deflect attention. They accused King of perjury. King faced at least ten years in prison. Although the attempt failed and King was found not guilty, the movement did not falter. The sit-in movement, particularly nonviolent resistance, was a great success. Integration with...... middle of paper ......the black community. It was not easy for King and others to take the position they faced, but they undoubtedly worked together for the good of the country. Works Cited Hall, Mitchell K. “The Vietnam Era Antiwar Movement.” Organization of American Historians 18.5 (2004): 13-17. Print. Höhn, Maria and Martin Klimke. A Breath of Freedom: The Struggle for Civil Rights, African-American GIs, and Germany. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Print. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 1st ed. Flight. 1. Oregon: Oregon Volunteers, 2005. Print. Pike, Brett. “DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIERS DURING WORLD WAR II: RACIAL POLICIES AND THE MARCH TOWARD DESEGREGATION.” April-May 2011. Web. Shawki, Ahmed. Black liberation and socialism. Chicago, IL: Haymarket, 2006. Print.Small, Melvin. “Journal of Peace Research.” Sage Publications, Ltd. 24.2 (1987). Print.