Bruce Boynton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Boynton
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| Born | June 19, 1937 Selma, Alabama, U.S.
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| Died | November 23, 2020 (aged 83) Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist |
| Known for | Boynton v. Virginia |
| Spouse(s) |
Alice Cutler
(m. 1973; died 2001)Betty Strong Boynton
(m. 2008) |
| Parent(s) |
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Bruce Carver Boynton (born June 19, 1937 – died November 23, 2020) was an American leader in the civil rights movement. He helped inspire the Freedom Riders and made a big difference for racial equality. This happened through an important case that went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Bruce Boynton grew up in Selma, Alabama. His parents were also very active in the civil rights movement. People in their community called them "Mr. and Mrs. Civil Rights." This was because they took part in important events. For example, his mother, Amelia Boynton Robinson, was hurt during a march for voting rights in 1965. Fifty years later, President Barack Obama honored her for her bravery.
The Boynton v. Virginia Case
In 1958, Bruce Boynton was at a bus station restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. He ordered a cheeseburger. At that time, many places were segregated, meaning Black and white people had separate areas. Bruce sat in the "whites only" section. He was told to leave but he refused. Because of this, he was arrested for staying where he wasn't allowed. He spent one night in jail.
Fighting for Justice
At the time, Bruce was studying law at Howard University. He decided to fight his arrest in court. He lost his first case. But he kept appealing, meaning he asked higher courts to review the decision. Finally, his case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Landmark Decision
The case was called Boynton v. Virginia. A famous lawyer named Thurgood Marshall argued for Bruce. Thurgood Marshall later became a justice on the Supreme Court himself. The Court decided that Bruce was right. They said that separating people by race in public transportation was against the law. This was a huge victory for civil rights.
An Inspiring Act
In 2018, a judge named Myron H. Thompson spoke about Bruce Boynton. He said that Bruce did something very brave. He compared Bruce to Rosa Parks, who famously refused to give up her bus seat. Judge Thompson said, "All he wanted was a cheeseburger, and he changed the course of history."
Bruce Boynton's actions helped start the Freedom Rides in 1961. These were groups of activists who rode buses across the Southern United States. They wanted to protest against segregated bus stations. The Freedom Riders were arrested in some states, but their actions made President John F. Kennedy take action. He ordered that federal laws against discrimination be strictly followed.
Career as a Lawyer
Bruce Boynton earned his law degree from Howard University. However, the state of Alabama would not give him a law license for six years. They said they were "investigating" his case, Boynton v. Virginia. Because of this, he had to move to Chattanooga, Tennessee to practice law. Alabama finally gave him a license in 1965.
Bruce worked as a civil rights lawyer for most of his life. He helped many people fight for their rights. He also became Alabama's first Black special prosecutor. In 2018, the head of the Alabama State Bar (the group that oversees lawyers) apologized for the delay in giving Bruce his license.
Death and Lasting Impact
Bruce Boynton passed away on November 23, 2020. He was 83 years old. His death happened just two weeks before the 60th anniversary of his important court case. His daughter, Carver Ann Boynton, said he died from cancer.
On the day he died, a local government group in Alabama voted to rename a building in Selma. It was the Dallas County Courthouse annex. They renamed it to honor Bruce Boynton and another important Black lawyer, J. L. Chestnut, Jr.. Bruce Boynton's brave actions continue to inspire people today.
