Highlights From The Turbulent 1960s Civil Rights Movement

The Birmingham Riot of 1963

For every step forward in the Civil Rights Movement, there was a step back. Disturbed by the progress of the Birmingham Movement, racists (almost certainly members of the KKK) led arson attacks on homes, places of worship, and even hotels used by the movement’s leaders.

Source: Alethealin

The backlash against these attacks was the Birmingham Riots where the black community rose up and rioted. The riots were beyond the scope of the local police department to control and the U.S. government sent in troops to restore order. The events in Birmingham are thought to have contributed to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was designed to help relieve injustice facing black people in America.