In the 1940s, a collective of Black professionals called the Women’s Political Council forged a line of defense against anti-Black oppression in Montgomery, Alabama. For years, they collected and brought bus rider complaints to city officials before eventually threatening a 25-organization boycott in 1954. Then, another threat: Rosa Parks.
Excitement built up in the days leading up to Parks’ trial; residents marked the date, December 5, 1955, for a one-day boycott. But that night was electric. Six thousand people attended a meeting at a local church, and decided they weren’t done.
They named themselves the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), and chose Martin Luther King, Jr. as their president. From transportation and negotiation to media and education, the MIA blossomed into specialized committees, readying their movement for the long haul – and the momentum just grew.
They continued gathering in person, not only to organize boycott logistics but also to motivate each other with music and speeches to keep going. Eventually 60-80% of Montgomery’s 50,000 Black residents participated.
The 381-day boycott was collective, organized, strategic, and empowering. This historic victory became the blueprint for today’s liberation movements. What does Umoja — unity — look like in your neighborhood or city today?