 News of the mass arrests of children had reached Western Europe and the Soviet Union . The Soviet Union devoted up to 25 percent of its news broadcast to the demonstrations , sending much of it to Africa , where Soviet and U.S. interests clashed . Soviet news commentary accused the Kennedy administration of neglect and " inactivity " . Alabama Governor George Wallace sent state troopers to assist Connor . Attorney General Robert Kennedy prepared to activate the Alabama National Guard and notified the Second Infantry Division from Fort Benning , Georgia that it might be deployed to Birmingham . 
