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Brown v. Board of Education
From this, the Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, effectively overturning the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which had established the "separate but equal" doctrine. It set a legal precedent that challenged racial segregation in other public institutions and gave momentum to further desegregation efforts in the South. It set off a wave of protests and legal challenges that involved civil disobedience by activists in protests, sit-ins, etc. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
The boycott was initiated after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. It became one of the first large-scale demonstrations against segregation. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional, establishing the power of nonviolent protest. The boycott itself was a form of civil disobedience, as it involved direct action against an unjust law through collective refusal to comply with segregation policies. -
The Indian Relocation Act
This was a policy aimed at encouraging Native Americans to leave reservations and move to urban areas for employment. It promised assistance for education and job training, but in reality, many Native Americans faced unemployment and poor living conditions. The Act symbolized an ongoing policy of assimilation, undermining Native American cultures and traditions. Native Americans resisted this policy, as it threatened their way of life, leading to a form of self-defense against the gov. -
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
This event is most famous for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, which articulated a vision for a racially integrated and just America.
It brought national attention to the issues of racial inequality and poverty and helped to push forward legislative changes like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. While the march itself was peaceful and nonviolent, it was an act of civil disobedience because it was a public demonstration aimed at challenging racial and economic inequalities. -
The American Indian Movement and the Occupation of Alcatraz
Native American activists occupied Alcatraz Island, claiming it as Indian land based on a 19th-century treaty. The occupation highlighted issues such as broken treaties, loss of land, and the poor living conditions faced by Native Americans. It brought national attention to their rights and inspired similar movements. The occupation of Alcatraz was a direct challenge to federal policies, making it an act of civil disobedience as the activists defied the U.S. government’s control of the island. -
The Trail of Broken Treaties
Native Americans organized a cross-country protest to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the U.S. government's violation of treaties with Native tribes and its policies towards Native peoples. This protest helped raise awareness about the dire situation of Native Americans, leading to the eventual establishment of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968. The protest was an act of civil disobedience, as it involved nonviolent direct action.