In the spring and summer of 1963 , national attention became riveted on Birmingham . The media covered the series of peaceful marches that the Birmingham police , headed by Police Commissioner Bull Connor , attempted to divert and control . He invited high school students to join the marches , as King intended to fill the jails with nonviolent protesters to make a moral argument to the United States . Dramatic images of Birmingham police using police dogs and powerful streams of water against children protesters filled newspapers and television coverage , arousing national outrage . The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing during a Sunday service , which killed four African-American girls , caused a national outcry and gained support for the civil rights cause in the state . 16th Street Baptist Church had been a rallying point and staging area for civil rights activities in Birmingham prior to the bombing . Finally , Birmingham leaders King and Shuttlesworth agreed to end the marches when the businessmen 's group committed to end segregation in stores and public facilities
16th Street Baptist Church bombing
16th Street Baptist Church bombing
History of Alabama