Birmingham Riot
Background Info
From May 2 to May 10, 1963, the nation bore witness as police in Birmingham, Alabama, aimed high-powered hoses and snarling dogs on African American men, women and even children who wanted just one thing — to be treated the same as white Americans.
Goal
To bring attention to the segregation in Alabama and desegregate public places.
People's Involvement
Martin Luther King and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) joined Birmingham’s local campaign organized by Reverend Shuttlesworth and his group, the Alabama Christian Movement. They all organized the protest. King sent children ages 6 to 18 to march through the streets in hope the Birmingham cop, Eugene "Bull" Conner,
Obstacles
Birmingham's police men had dogs that were attacking the African Americans that were peacefully protesting. They were also spraying fire hoses at them. The African Americans knew that they couldn't back down because of this. They needed to get their goal/message across, so they continued to push throw.
Outcome
Connor’s disturbing tactics in front of the national news media became a ca for social change and helped the path way of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Modern comparison
Rioting breaks out after Freddy Gray's death. This is the result of people taking it to far to get their message across.
Similarities
The destruction of Birmingham and Baltimore both lasted days as citizens a police officer were harmed in the cross fire. The police in both cities were seen as a source of fear instead of safety. Once the riots ended a sense of justice came about in the reporting as the cities of Birmingham and Baltimore saw a change in how the police were able to final give the help to the black community that has been needed for so long.
SOURCES
Comparing the Baltimore and Birmingham Riots. (2016, December 01). Retrieved April 27, 2017, from https://kennethblackblog.wordpress.com/comparing-the-baltimore-and-birmingham-riots/
Premosch, L. B. (n.d.). Here Are The Most Powerful Photos From The Baltimore Riots. Retrieved April 27, 2017, from https://www.buzzfeed.com/lynzybilling/here-are-the-most-powerful-photos-from-the-baltimore-riots?scrlybrkr=2563edb9&utm_term=.pfDKGvZM3#.binJY8ryN
Siemaszko, C. (2012, May 03). Birmingham erupted into chaos in 1963 as battle for civil rights exploded in South. Retrieved April 27, 2017, from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/birmingham-erupted-chaos-1963-battle-civil-rights-exploded-south-article-1.1071793?scrlybrkr=29d30424
The Birmingham Campaign. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2017, from http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/civil-rights-movement-birmingham-campaign/?scrlybrkr=20d16687