Confrontationin Birmingham
On this date in 1963, young demonstrators marched on Birmingham, Alabama's City Hall for civil rights. This episode began on April 3rd and lasted until May 10th.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the protest began in the middle of bomb blasts and police brutality. City Commissioner of Public Safety, "Bull" Connor, ordered the arrest of 900 young people in two days. Later, police attacked the youths with high-pressure fire hoses and dogs.
Despite pleas for a nonviolent demonstration, rioting continued for days until a truce was declared. Later that month, a settlement desegregating some city facilities was announced.
