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Building a Local Network
The Women’s Political Council began organizing efforts to address bus segregation, compiling complaints from Black citizens about discriminatory practices on public buses. -
Brown v. Board of Education Decision
This landmark Supreme Court decision declaring segregation unconstitutional inspired greater activism and hopes for desegregation across the South, including Montgomery. -
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Sustained Boycott (Ongoing Efforts)
The MIA organized carpools and alternative transportation systems while sustaining morale through church meetings and speeches. Activists faced violence, arrests, and harassment but remained steadfast. -
Early Test of Activism (Claudette Colvin Arrest)
A 15-year-old Black student, Claudette Colvin, refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus. Although her case did not lead to broader action due to concerns about her background, it highlighted local dissatisfaction and tested the community's readiness for a bus boycott. -
Legal Victory (Supreme Court Ruling)
The Supreme Court declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional in Browder v. Gayle, a case spearheaded by grassroots organizers and supported by the NAACP. -
Rosa Parks Arrest (Catalyst Event)
Rosa Parks, a seamstress and NAACP secretary, was arrested for refusing to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. This arrest became the defining moment for national attention due to Parks' longstanding community ties and her reputation as a respected figure. -
Mobilization Begins (Community Meetings)
Local churches and community leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., met to organize and rally support for broader action. -
Formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association (Boycott Launch)
The one-day boycott was overwhelmingly successful, with over 90% participation from Montgomery's Black residents. -
End of Boycott (Desegregation of Buses)
Following the Supreme Court's decision, the boycott officially ended after 381 days, marking a pivotal victory for the Civil Rights Movement.