A veteran nonviolent protester since the 1940s, he was a quintessential civil rights warrior and a member of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s executive staff. Known for his courage and outspokenness, this lifelong advocate for racial equality continues as an exemplar of disciplined direct action in a spiritual and sacrificial manner to advance civil rights and human freedom.
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- Reverend C.T. Vivian
Reverend C.T. Vivian
Reverend C.T. Vivian
Minister, Activist, Orator
Nashville, TN–St. Augustine, FL
Marching From Selma to Montgomery
Flanked by other demonstrators, Vivian negotiates with police officers at the beginning of the march from Selma to Montgomery on March 1, 1965.
Nashville, Tennessee
After marching to the Nashville city hall on April 19, 1960, Vivian stands next to Mayor Ben West, who agrees with demonstrators that lunch counters should be desegregated. A week after the protest, all of Nashville was open, a validation of the non-violent strategy.
Requesting A Stop
Reverend C. T. Vivian arguing with a militiaman during his 1961 Freedom Ride that ended with his arrest in Jackson, Mississippi. Vivian asked the Mississippi militia officer to make a rest stop for the riders. The officer refused. The riders went without food, water or bathroom breaks for nine hours.
Vivian’s Card
Vivian’s photo and description in Alabama’s “Individuals Active in Civil Disturbances.” Like many other civil rights activists, his card notes “a subversive background.”
Prisoner Transfer
Vivian (right side, leaning out) sits among a group of Freedom Riders in a truck as they prepare to be moved to the Hinds County Prison Farm in Jackson on May 29, 1961. Not long after the press reported that he was beaten by guards at the facility, Vivian was released.
Parchman Prison
A view of the maximum security unit of Parchman Prison in Mississippi in 1962. Many civil rights activists were imprisoned here after being arrested for nonviolent protests. Vivian was due to serve time at Parchman; however, his highly publicized beating at Hinds County Prison Farm facilitated prison authorities advancing an early release.
Wade-In Demonstration
A photo of the “wade-in” demonstration at a whites-only beach in St. Augustine, Florida on June 25, 1964 shortly before it erupted into violence. Vivian can be seen standing at the front of the group of black protesters.
Wade-In Becomes Violent
This photo captures the outbreak of violence at the St. Augustine “wade-in” on June 25, 1964. Vivian was almost drowned by one of the white segregationists, but the man was pulled off of him before any injuries were inflicted upon him.
Police Get Involved In Wade-In
Police enter the scuffle during the St. Augustine “wade-in” on June 25, 1964, in which Vivian and others attempted to desegregate the public beach. Although at first he thought he would be arrested, Vivian’s encounter with a white officer ended amicably when the policeman escorted Vivian out of the water and retrieved a towel for him.
Acid Poured on Activists
In addition to the “wade-in” at the beach in St. Augustine, Vivian and others tried to desegregate hotel pools in America’s oldest town. This June 18, 1964 photo shows James Brock, the manager of the Monsoon Motor Lodge, dumping acid into a pool protesters were swimming in.
Vivian Prays For Clark
Sheriff Jim Clark watches as Vivian leads a prayer on the courthouse steps in Selma, Alabama on February 5, 1965. Vivian marched to the courthouse with hundreds of demonstrators to petition for longer voter registration hours, but Clark halted the protest outside the building with a court order. When Vivian and the others refused to leave, Clark had them arrested.
Jim Clark Slows Vivian
Selma sheriff Jim Clark grabs Vivian’s sleeve as he tries to enter the Selma courthouse on February 5, 1965 during a voter registration protest. Clark became infamous for his part in the savage outbreak of violence during the march from Selma to Montgomery, captured in American memory as “Bloody Sunday.”
Talking With a Fellow Activist
A photo of Vivian as he speaks with a fellow activist during the march from Selma to Montgomery.
Vivian’s Mug Shot
Reverend C. T. Vivian’s mug shot, taken on May 24, 1961 after he was arrested with other Freedom Riders in Jackson, Mississippi.
Before the March from Selma to Montgomery
Surrounded by reporters, Vivian speaks to Selma director of public safety Wilson Baker on March 1, 1965 before the famed march from Selma to Montgomery. Baker had been in favor of arresting the demonstrators before they crossed the Edmund Pettis Bridge in order to head off violent clashes.
Arguing With Wilson Baker
Vivian engages in a heated argument with Selma director of public safety Wilson Baker before marching out of the town on March 1, 1965.
Facing Off With Wilson Baker
Vivian and Selma director of public safety Wilson Baker argue in the midst of reporters, police officers and protesters in March 1965.
Montgomery Rally
Vivian (top right) laughing along with others in this photo of author James Baldwin speaking at a rally in Montgomery, Alabama on March 21, 1965.
Kelly Miller Smith
Kelly Miller Smith stands in front of the First Baptist Church on Eighth Avenue in Nashville. Vivian worked with Smith, who led early efforts to organize in Nashville in 1960.
C.T. Vivian As An Infant
An early photo.
Vivian As A Teenager
A portrait of Vivian.
Young Vivian
A picture during his childhood.
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