6. Montgomery Bus Boycott (Success)

When was the issue of transport segregation brought to the federal court, what was the name of the case?

June 1956, Browder vs. Gayle

What was the court’s finding

Bus laws were unconstitutional

What did he leaders of Montgomery do after this ruling?

Appealed to decision to the Supreme Court, which also decided the laws were unlawful

What did the Supreme Court do after this?

Ruled that the segregation of buses must end by December 20th 1956

What percentage of Montgomery’s black population maintained the boycott?

90%

What is the counterpoint to this success?

It was limited in achieving equality in other aspects of society

What did white supremacist groups and racists do to the buses?

Shots fired, bus services were suspended as a result of the violence

What did city leaders do to reinforce segregation?

In March 1957, they passed new laws, including making it illegal for blacks and whites to play sport together