1. Background information for teachers:

By April of 1963, Birmingham, Alabama had become a national example of racial tension and strife. In the spring of 1962, city parks and public golf courses had been closed to prevent desegregation and the black community had attempted to protest racial activities by boycotting selected Birmingham merchants. In response, food that was appropriated for needy families had been cut by the city commissioners. City elections and demonstrations against segregation further separated the city racially for a year and produced a population that was both angry and afraid. On April 12, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. was sentenced to a nine-day jail term for his part in desegregation demonstrations. It was during this time that King wrote his essay, "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which described his concerns for the laws of America and his hope for justice for black Americans.

The national media publicized the powerful water hoses and the German shepherd police dogs that were used by the firemen and the policemen of Birmingham against demonstrators in May of 1963 as directed by police commissioner Eugene ("Bull") Connor. Despite the peaceful efforts of both the black and white leaders of the city, terror and violence had gripped Birmingham, Alabama while the world watched. The documents in this lesson include telegrams sent to or by Gov. Wallace concerning the events in Birmingham. The notorized statements from the Intercitizens Committee, Inc. provide a contrast to the official state government version of events in Birmingham. The Committee was formed in 1963 by Reverend J. L. Ware to attract middle class blacks to this movement.

For more information see Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Online.

2. Learning objectives: