Who is known for leading the first peaceful protest for civil rights?

Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized for leading the first peaceful protest for civil rights, particularly through his commitment to nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience inspired by Gandhi's principles. King organized and participated in numerous peaceful demonstrations, most notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and the March on Washington in 1963. His leadership in these events marked significant milestones in the civil rights movement, as he advocated for equality and justice through peaceful means.

King’s philosophy of nonviolence became a foundational principle of the civil rights movement in the United States. He believed in addressing injustices through peaceful marches, sit-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience that would highlight the need for change without resorting to violence. This approach not only drew national attention to the civil rights struggle, but it also garnered widespread support from various communities across the country.

While other figures, like Rosa Parks, were instrumental in the movement, particularly in triggering key events (such as Parks’s refusal to give up her bus seat, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott), it was King who effectively organized peaceful protests on a larger scale and made nonviolent protest a hallmark of the civil rights movement. Gandhi’s influence on King cannot be overlooked; however, his direct