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The Children's Crusade: How Young Activists Led the Fight for Civil Rights

Derek Cook

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Published in The World Knows These Activists : Civil Rights Children S Children S Government Books: Civil Rights Children S Children S Government

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The World Knows These Activists : Civil Rights Children s Children s Government Books: Civil Rights Children s Children s Government

The World Knows These Activists : Civil Rights Children's Books | Children's Government Books: Civil Rights Children's Books - Children's Government Books

by Universal Politics

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Language	:	English
File size	:	22106 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	120 pages

In the annals of the Civil Rights Movement, the names of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X loom large. But there is another group of heroes whose stories are often overlooked: the children.

From the sit-ins in Greensboro to the March on Washington, young people played a pivotal role in the fight for equality. They risked their lives to challenge segregation and discrimination, and their courage and determination helped to change the course of history.

The Greensboro Sit-Ins

The Greensboro sit-ins were a series of nonviolent protests that began in February 1960 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Four African American college students sat down at a whites-only lunch counter at a Woolworth's store and refused to leave until they were served.

The sit-ins sparked a wave of similar protests across the South. Within a few months, hundreds of students were participating in sit-ins at lunch counters, libraries, and other public places.

The sit-ins were met with fierce resistance from white supremacists. Protesters were beaten, arrested, and even killed. But the students refused to be deterred. They continued to protest until segregation was finally outlawed in public places.

The Freedom Rides

The Freedom Rides were a series of bus trips organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1961. The goal of the Freedom Rides was to challenge segregation on interstate buses and terminals.

The Freedom Riders were met with violence and intimidation from white mobs. Buses were firebombed, and riders were beaten and arrested. But the Freedom Riders refused to give up. They continued to ride buses until the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) issued an order banning segregation on interstate buses and terminals.

The March on Washington

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a massive demonstration held in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. The march was organized by a coalition of civil rights groups, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC),and CORE.

More than 250,000 people attended the march, including many children. The march was a peaceful and orderly event, and it helped to raise awareness of the civil rights movement.

At the march, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. In his speech, King called for an end to racism and segregation. He said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The March on Washington helped to put pressure on Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation in public places and banned discrimination in employment, housing, and education.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a major victory for the civil rights movement. It helped to end segregation and discrimination in many areas of American life.

The Legacy of the Children's Crusade

The children who participated in the Civil Rights Movement were true heroes. They risked their lives to fight for equality, and their courage and determination helped to change the course of history.

The legacy of the Children's Crusade is one of hope and inspiration. It shows that even young people can make a difference in the world. It is a reminder that we must never give up on the fight for justice and equality.

Here are some tips for talking to your children about the Civil Rights Movement:

Start by talking about the basics of the Civil Rights Movement. Explain what segregation and discrimination are, and why they are wrong.
Share stories about the children who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Talk about their courage and determination, and how they helped to change the world.
Encourage your children to ask questions and share their thoughts and feelings. Be honest and open with them about the challenges that the Civil Rights Movement faced, and the progress that has been made.
Help your children to understand that the fight for civil rights is not over. There is still work to be done to achieve equality for all.

The Children's Crusade is a story that should be told and retold for generations to come. It is a story of courage, determination, and hope. It is a story that inspires us to believe that we can make a difference in the world.

Children Marching For Civil Rights The World Knows These Activists : Civil Rights Children S Children S Government Books: Civil Rights Children S Children S Government