March on Birmingham, AL
May of 1963
Birmingham, Alabama was of the most segregated cities in the South. A march was attempted by over 1000 African American students into downtown Birmingham from Selma, Alabama. Over a hundred of these students were arrested. The next day, crowds gathered again and the march was redone. The crowd, which was made up of children, walked and sang " We Shall Overcome." They were sprayed with fire hoses and attacked by German shepherds. The police arrest about 959 girls and boys. Photos of students being beaten with clubs and sprayed by fire hoses were put on TV and put the public into an outrage. They saw the police officers beating and hurting the protestors instead of helping them.