Congress of Racial Equality

Congress of Racial Equality
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Formation	1942
Type	Civil rights organization
Headquarters	New York City, New York, U.S.
Membership	N/A
Language	N/A
Leader title	N/A
Leader name	N/A
Website	core-online.org

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) is a U.S. civil rights organization that played a pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Founded in 1942, CORE was instrumental in organizing and leading nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination.

History

CORE was founded in Chicago, Illinois, by a group of students including James Farmer, George Houser, Bayard Rustin, and Bernice Fisher. The organization was inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and committed to the principles of nonviolent resistance.

Early Activities

In its early years, CORE focused on challenging segregation in the Northern United States. One of its first major actions was the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation, a precursor to the Freedom Rides, which tested the Supreme Court's ruling in Morgan v. Virginia that segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional.

Freedom Rides

The burned-out bus from the Freedom Ride in Anniston, Alabama.

In 1961, CORE organized the Freedom Rides, a series of bus trips through the American South to challenge segregation in interstate bus terminals. The Freedom Riders faced violent opposition, most notably in Anniston, Alabama, where a bus was firebombed.

March on Washington

CORE was one of the "Big Six" civil rights organizations that organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Later Years

In the late 1960s, under the leadership of Roy Innis, CORE shifted its focus and adopted a more conservative stance. This shift led to a decline in its influence within the civil rights movement.

Notable Figures

• James Farmer - Co-founder and national director of CORE.
• Bayard Rustin - Early leader and strategist.
• Roy Innis - National chairman from 1968, known for shifting CORE's direction.

Legacy

CORE's legacy is marked by its pioneering use of nonviolent direct action and its role in some of the most significant events of the civil rights movement. Its efforts helped to dismantle segregation and advance the cause of racial equality in the United States.

Also see

• Civil Rights Movement
• Freedom Riders
• James Farmer
• Bayard Rustin
• March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

External links

• Official CORE website