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The Women’s Political Council was founded in 1946 by Mary Fair Burks. During the 1950's, the organization was under the leadership of Jo Ann Robinson who met with Montgomery city officials to discuss changes to the segregated bus system prior to the boycott taking place. However, The Women’s Political Council became well known during Montgomery Bus Boycott. Jo Ann Robinson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts (sunsigns.org) -
Claudette Colvin was 15 years old when she was arrested and charged with assault and violating segregation laws for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus. Prompting African American leaders and NAACP members to continue to voice bus concerns regarding segregation to administrators of Montgomery. AL. Claudette Colvin: The 15-year-old who came before Rosa Parks - BBC News -
Rosa Parks was riding on a public bus. She was asked by the bus driver to move to allow a white woman to occupy the seat and she refused. While the seat was in the Black section of the bus, the requirement was to give the seat to a White person if the White section was full. As a result, Rosa was arrested. As an activist, Rosa's arrest would be sure to gain national attention and support for change. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott#rosa-parks-bus -
One day boycott launched by Jo Ann Robinson, The Women's Political Council President. Flyers were also handed out as a call to action regarding the scheduled boycott on 12/5/55. "Montgomery Bus Boycott Timeline (thoughtco.com)
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On 12/4/55, the meeting occurred at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church advising of the planned boycott. During the meeting with Black leaders, Montgomery Improvement Association was birthed. The local newspaper also published an article on the anticipated boycott. bus boycott images - Bing images
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Jo Ann Robinson, The Women's Political Council President, led the public transportation boycott of about 40k black bus riding citizens. Later that day the MIA was birthed with MLK Jr nominated as the president and the MIA extends the boycott. 1955 boycott flyer - Bing images -
The MIA provides a list of desegregation demands to City of Montgomery officials, which the officials dismissed. montgomery improvement association images - Bing images -
Carpooling system is established for African American participating in the boycott. Taxis initially lowered prices to those rely on the public bus to accommodate boycotters but were threatened by city and state officials with fines. Thus, the taxi effort was short lived. https://crossculturalsolidarity.com/the-montgomery-bus-boycott/ -
Rosa and over 100 other people were arrested resulting from a grand jury indictment for organized boycotting. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott#rosa-parks-bus https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/rosa-parks-in-her-own-words/about-this-exhibition/the-bus-boycott/alabama-anti-boycott-act/#:~:text=On%20February%2021%2C%201956%2C%20a%20Montgomery%20grand%20jury,for%20violating%20the%20Alabama%20Anti-Boycott%20Act%20of%201921. -
The Federal Court in Montgomery, AL ruled that bus segregation violated the 14th Amendment. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott montgomery bus boycott - Bing images -
The Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Montgomery Federal Court in the 12/20/56 appeal by the city. This desegregation law caused racial tension and violence. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott supreme court - Search (bing.com) -
The racial unrest caused by the laws ending segregation led to churches and homes of Black leaders being bombed. Members of the Ku Klux Klan were believed to be responsible for the bombs. Montgomery Bus Boycott - Facts, Significance & Rosa Parks | HISTORY