Dallas County Voters League facts for kids
The Dallas County Voters League (DCVL) was an important local group in Dallas County, Alabama, which includes the city of Selma. This organization worked hard to help African Americans register to vote during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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How the DCVL Started
The Dallas County Voters League was first created in the 1920s. It was started by Charles J. Adams, who worked for the postal service and was also a civil rights leader. He was also the local leader for the NAACP, a group that fights for equal rights.
After Charles J. Adams moved away, Sam Boynton took over. Sam Boynton was married to Amelia Boynton, who would become a very important figure in the civil rights movement.
The "Courageous Eight"
Later, the DCVL was brought back to life by a special group of eight leaders. They were known as the "Courageous Eight." These brave members included:
- Amelia Boynton
- Ulysses S. Blackmon
- James E. Gildersleeve
- Frederick D. Reese
- Rev. John D. Hunter
- Rev. Henry Shannon
- Earnest Doyle
- Marie Foster
These members tried to help black citizens register to vote. However, their efforts were often stopped by state and local officials. Groups like the White Citizens' Council and the Ku Klux Klan also tried to block them. In 1962, Frederick D. Reese was chosen as the president of the DCVL.
Working for Voting Rights
In February 1963, Bernard Lafayette and his wife, Colia Liddel Lafayette, came to Selma. They were sent by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), another civil rights group, to help people register to vote. Bernard Lafayette was very impressed by the DCVL and suggested they receive funding to continue their work.
By July 1963, the SNCC and the DCVL were working together. They organized protests and sit-ins to demand voting rights. On October 7, 1963, they organized a "Freedom Day." This was one of only two days that month when people could try to register to vote at the courthouse. More than 300 black citizens from Dallas County lined up, showing their determination.
Facing Challenges
Even after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, which made segregation illegal, it was still very hard for black citizens to register to vote in Dallas County. Because of the DCVL's continuous efforts, only about 2.2 percent of African Americans were registered to vote there at that time. This shows how difficult it was and how much work the DCVL had to do.
Joining Forces with Dr. King
In late 1964, the DCVL received help from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This powerful group was led by Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1965, the DCVL worked closely with both the SNCC and the SCLC. Together, they planned the famous Selma to Montgomery marches.
Teachers Take a Stand
On January 2, 1965, the SCLC and Dr. King started the 1965 Selma Voting Rights Campaign. Frederick Reese, who was a schoolteacher and also the president of the DCVL, convinced his fellow teachers to join in. They decided to try and register to vote in a large group.
On January 22, they tried three times to go up the steps of the county courthouse. Each time, they were pushed back. Before this, most people trying to register were workers or students. This was the first time that many educated black citizens in Dallas County tried to register together.
The Selma to Montgomery Marches
The first march from Selma to Montgomery was attempted on March 7, 1965. This day became known as Bloody Sunday. It was organized by SCLC member James Bevel, Amelia Boynton, and others.
When the marchers crossed the bridge, they were attacked by police officers and state troopers. Amelia Boynton was beaten and left unconscious in the street. A picture of her lying there was shared widely. This image helped show people across the country how badly the marchers were being treated and made many people very angry.
Other Important Members
Other important members of the DCVL included:
- Annie Lee Cooper
- Louis Lloyd Anderson, who was a pastor at Tabernacle Church
- J. L. Chestnut
James E. Gildersleeve also served as president of the DCVL at one point.
