The African-American church and community were energized by the protest and successful social movement organizations were established as a result. For a decade, protests such occurred in the Southern United States and they were primarily supported. Sit-ins became popular and before long, the movement established an "important mass base' (Morris 525). The evolution of this form of protest is what led to the very organized force that would "topple Jim Crow" (525). During the mid 1960s, "highly public demonstrations" (525) increased in number and were strengthened with support from various individuals. These such protests demonstrated that African-Americans were serious more than anything else.

Martin Luther King was chosen to lead the movement and under his direction, nonviolent action emerged as "crucial, for it robbed the white power structure of its ability to openly crush the movement violently without serious repercussions" (525). King was perhaps the most effective voice for the...
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