J. L. Chestnut Jr. facts for kids

J. L. Chestnut Jr. (born December 16, 1930 – died September 30, 2008) was an author and a lawyer. He was an important person in the Civil Rights Movement.

He was the first African-American lawyer in Selma, Alabama. He wrote a book in 1991 called Black in Selma: The Uncommon Life of J.L. Chestnut, Jr.. This book tells the story of the Selma Voting Rights Movement. It includes the famous Selma to Montgomery marches and the day known as Bloody Sunday.

Chestnut was born in Selma. He studied law at Howard University Law School. He came back to Selma as the only Black lawyer there. He helped people who were protesting for civil rights in the 1960s.

He died in 2008 when he was 77 years old. He had been sick for several months.

A Champion for Civil Rights

J. L. Chestnut Jr. was the first African American lawyer in Selma, Alabama. He was well known for helping Martin Luther King Jr. and other important civil rights leaders. He worked with them during protests, speeches, and marches in the 1960s.

He helped make big changes for African Americans. He worked to get them the right to vote. He also helped more Black people become lawyers.

The Selma to Montgomery Marches

On March 7, 1965, people who believed in nonviolence gathered at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. They planned to march together to Montgomery, Alabama. This march wanted to show how African Americans and other minority citizens were treated unfairly. They faced discrimination and were not allowed to vote or be heard.

Alabama state troopers attacked these civil rights protesters. They beat them and used tear gas. This day is now known as Bloody Sunday. It was a very important moment for the Civil Rights Movement.

The event was shown on TV across the country. This helped more people in the United States understand what was happening. Many people supported the protesters. This support made Congress act. A few months later, in August, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. This law helped protect the voting rights of all citizens.

Chestnut's Early Life

J. L. Chestnut Jr. was born in Selma, Alabama. His father, J. L. Chestnut Sr., owned a grocery store. His mother was an elementary school teacher. His father's store had to close because of unpaid taxes.

When he was young, he had a mentor named John F. Sheilds. Shields was an elementary school teacher. He told Chestnut Jr. to "go get a law degree and fight the system." He said this because Chestnut Jr. was upset about old textbooks. He also saw how different schools were because of segregation.

In 1953, Chestnut finished college at Dillard University in New Orleans. He earned a degree in Business Administration. Soon after, he went to law school at Howard University in Washington D.C. His work as a lawyer was greatly inspired by Thurgood Marshall. Marshall was another important civil rights leader.

He was married to Vivian Chestnut from Selma. They were married for 56 years. They had six children before Chestnut Jr. passed away.

His Final Years

J. L. Chestnut Jr. died on September 30, 2008. He passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He died due to kidney problems after an illness. He was 77 years old. His memory is still very important to the Black community in Selma and many other places.