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National Congress of American Indians
The National Congress of American Indians was an advocacy organization that represents the interests of tribal governments. This aimed to protect the rights and interests of American Indians as citizens of their respective tribes and nations. This played a broader role in the civil rights movement because it worked to ensure Native American civil rights were recognized and protected, advocating for issues like voting rights. It was not considered civil disobedience nor self-defense. -
Termination and Relocation Policies Resistance
Policies implemented by the US government in the 1950s aimed to dissolve Native American tribes, relocate them to urban areas, and assimilate them into mainstream society. There was significant resistance from Native Americans. It was significant to the civil rights movement because it aimed to assimilate Native Americans leading to a loss of tribal sovereignty, cultural identity, and economic instability. Could be considered self-defense and civil disobedience depending on context. -
Brown v Board Education
Brown v Board was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 where the Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for Black and white students to be unconstitutional. Brown v Board Education was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, helping to stop racial segregation in public school. This served as a catalyst for further civil rights activism. This event was not considered an act of civil disobedience or self-defense but was a legal challenge brought by the NAACP. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery Bus Boycott was an event in the Civil Rights Movement that began when Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white passenger. African Americans began to refuse the use of city buses, impacting the bus system's revenue. This demonstrated the economic power and unity of the black community, bringing national attention to the civil rights struggle. It is considered as an act of civil disobedience, breaking the law by refusing to comply with the segregated bus system. -
Women's liberation movement
This was a broad movement advocating for women's rights and equality, encompassing various groups and goals. Sought to address issues of economic, physiological and social freedom for women, challenging traditional gender roles and social structures. This was significantly influenced and intertwined with the civil rights movement providing a model for activists to fight for women's rights. It included both civil disobedience and self-defense strategies. -
Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act mandated that employers pay men and women the same wages if they perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar work conditions in same establishment. This was a crucial step in Civil Rights Movement and pushed for more civil rights and equality as it addressed an issue of fairness and justice in the workplace. It was considered a federal law that prohibits employers from paying different wages to men and women. -
March on Washington
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a massive protest in Washington D.C where thousands of people gathered to advocate for civil rights for African Americans. Most famously known for MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. This event showed the unity and determination of the movement, putting pressure on the federal government to act. The March was considered an act of civil disobedience. It was a peaceful protest that meant to challenge and change unjust laws and practices. -
Formation of the Chicano Movement
This was a civil rights and empowerment movement for Mexican-descent people in the US. It was fueled by a combination of factors including the civil rights movement and the struggle for farmworker rights. This was inspired by the civil rights movement and it helped organize and fight for their rights, influencing other Latino communities. Pushed for broader social and cultural change. It involved both civil disobedience and self-defense, fighting for equality and social justice. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
This was a series of three protests in 1965 that played a crucial role in the civil rights movement. Organized to demand voting rights for African Americans in Selma Alabama. Marches led by MLK, and John Lewis, they faced brutal resistance including "Bloody Sunday" which gained national attention. This movement highlighted the need for federal voting rights legislation and for African Americans in the South. Considered civil disobedience, a form of nonviolent protests aimed at challenging laws. -
Delano Grape Strike
The Delano Grape Strike was a major labor dispute in 1960s involving Filipino and Mexican-Americans farmworkers in California. They demanded better wages and working conditions from table grape growers. As well demanding salaries equivalent to the federal minimum wage and right to form their own union. Significant to civil rights movement highlighting plight of farmworkers, primarily people of color who were treated unfairly lacking basic rights. Viewed as civil disobedience, nonviolent protest. -
American Indian Movement
The American Indian Movement started as an organization made in Minnesota focused on urban issues like police brutality and discrimination. Advocated for broader Native American rights including treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. Significant to civil rights movement by bringing attention to Native American civil rights issues raising awareness of the injustices and to challenge federal Indian policies. It was mainly engaged in civil disobedience and activism to fight for rights. -
Bilingual Education Act
The Bilingual Education Act was the first federal legislation in the US to recognize the needs of students with limited English-speaking abilities, providing funding while also preserving their native languages. This event recognized the educational challenges faced by non-English-speaking students and marked a step towards ensuring that students had access to meaningful education. This was a legislative measure enacted by the government, not an act of civil disobedience or self-defense. -
Stonewall Riots
This was a series of spontaneous riots and demonstrations against a police raid that took place at Stonewall Inn in New York City. These riots are widely considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the US and led to the formation of various advocacy groups. As well, it sparked waves in LGBTQ+ activism and led to people fighting for equal rights. These riots were considered civil disobedience and rebellion rather than self-defense, was an act of defiance. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments
This was a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Ensured that individuals whether man or woman, are not excluded from participation, denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination. This advanced the civil rights movement by prohibiting discrimination in educational institutions and programs. Considered a landmark piece of federal legislation, not considered self-defense or civil disobedience. -
Black Lives Matter Movement
The Black Lives Matter Movement began following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. BLM gained momentum though, following the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and others, advocating against police brutality and systemic racism. It was built upon the civil rights movement focusing on racism and violence against black people particularly in the post-civil rights era. This was considered civil disobedience, by challenging ideas through non-violent means.