Civil Rights Advocate C.T. Vivian, Who Led Freedom Rides, Dies At 95

Vivian, a key advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement. He organized sit-ins in the 1940s and played a crucial role in the Freedom Rides, leading to federal desegregation of transit lines. In Selma, his confrontation with Sheriff Jim Clark gained national attention, contributing to the Voting Rights Act. Former President Obama honored Vivian as a pioneer for equality, awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. Vivian advocated for nonviolent action and is survived by his children.

What was one of C.T. Vivian's early actions against segregation?

• Founding the NAACP

• Leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott

• Organizing the March on Washington

• Staging sit-ins in Peoria, Illinois

What was the outcome of Vivian's confrontation with Sheriff Jim Clark?

• It caused the Freedom Rides to begin

• It led to the desegregation of schools

• It resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act

• It turned the local registration drive into a national event

Which significant event did the march from Selma to Montgomery influence?

• The end of the Vietnam War

• The passing of the Voting Rights Act

• The beginning of the Civil War

• The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation

How did President Obama describe C.T. Vivian?

• As a pioneer who bridged the gap between reality and ideals

• As a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance

• As a leader of the Black Panther Party

• As a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

What was C.T. Vivian's view on nonviolent action?

• It should be used only as a last resort

• It was ineffective in solving social problems

• It was the only way to achieve success

• It was outdated and needed to be replaced