On May 21, 1961, Alabama Governor John Patterson declared martial law in Montgomery in response to escalating violence surrounding the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists challenging segregation in interstate bus travel. Upon their arrival in Montgomery, they were met with violent opposition from white mobs, leading to severe beatings of the activists and journalists. ?Time Graphics

That evening, over 1,500 supporters, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gathered at the First Baptist Church to support the Freedom Riders. A mob of approximately 3,000 white individuals surrounded the church, threatening those inside. Dr. King contacted U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who dispatched federal marshals to protect the congregation. ?EJI Calendar

In response to the unrest, Governor Patterson ordered the Alabama National Guard, under Major General Henry V. Graham, to restore order. The National Guard secured the area, and by early morning, they safely escorted those inside the church to their homes. ?Wikipedia

This intervention was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, highlighting the federal government’s role in protecting activists and enforcing desegregation laws.