He came to Birmingham because it was the most racially
divided city during the time. Many
African Americans suffered under unfair conditions and were threatened if they
protested their plight. With college
students at the forefront, they launched a non-violent protest movement where
they were attacked by police and civilians.
Still the movement drew national attention that it forced the government
to take action and opened the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to be
implemented in Birmingham.