Youth activism was very important in shaping the Civil Rights Movement. Young people played a big part in many important events and changes during this time.

Key Contributions of Youth Activism:

1. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC):

   • This group started in 1960 and focused on getting students involved in activism.
   • By the summer of 1964, over 1,000 students took part in the Mississippi Freedom Summer. Their goal was to help more African Americans register to vote.

2. Sit-ins:

   • The first sit-in happened on February 1, 1960, in Greensboro, North Carolina. It involved four African American students who stood up against segregation at a Woolworth's lunch counter.
   • Over 70 cities saw similar sit-ins, which helped lead to the end of segregation in many public places.

3. March on Washington (1963):

   • Around 250,000 people came together to fight for civil rights and equal opportunities, showing how important the movement was and how engaged young people were.
   • At this rally, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which talked about the hopes and dreams of younger generations.

4. Freedom Rides (1961):

   • These rides were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and included many young activists. They aimed to end segregation in bus travel between states.
   • The Freedom Rides faced violence, but about 3,000 people joined in, which brought national attention to civil rights issues.

Thanks to their energy and determination, youth activists not only called for change but also helped shape important laws and public views during the Civil Rights Movement.