The Tallahassee Bus Boycott

The Tallahassee Bus Boycott
a chronicle of the struggle to integrate Tallahassee's public transportation

Tallahassee black leaders ride on the "white" section of a Tallahassee bus, ending a seven-month boycott of Tallahassee's buses. The Rev. C.K. Steele (pastor of Bethel Baptist Church) was joined by The Rev. A.C. Redd (pastor of the St. James CME Church) and the Rev. H. McNeal Harris (pastor of the Bethel AME Church).

Timeline: the Tallahassee bus boycott
the events that shaped the six-month long boycott

Front-page photos: they were seen all over Tallahassee
the images that shaped the news coverage

Pictures: the 1956 Tallahassee bus boycott
images from the Florida State Photographic Archive

Confidential Intelligence: a secret plan
the police attempt to undermine the bus boycott

Column: Some Facts Of Life On Race Relations
the editor condescends

Column: Opening old wounds can help repair the damage of injustice
Mike Pope responds to the editor

Proposal: a rejection of segregation
the City Commission tries to end the boycott

Statements: a full-page advertisement
the bus company and the City Commission make an ultimatum

Appeal: a full-page advertisement
an appeal to the people of Tallahassee for moral justice

Pictures: Malcolm Johnson's career
images from Johnson's career with the Tallahassee Democrat

Profile: Deadline on a Rocking Chair
this 1971 profile appeared in the Miami Herald's Tropic magazine

EDITORIALS

This picture appeared on the front page of the May 29 Tallahassee Democrat with the caption: LIGHT BUS LOAD: A bus passing through the Florida A&M campus this morning had only one passenger after a boycott by Negro university students was announced yesterday. Charles L. Carter, manager of Cities Transit Co., said as far as he is concerned the bus operation was "normal today."

Tuesday May 29, 1956: A Minor Incident — IF
"We hope the level heads among both races will prevail."

Wednesday, May 30 1956: Melting Ice Can Put Out A Fire
"The situation calls for responsible action by all citizens of both races."

Friday, June 1, 1956: Postponement Courts Trouble
"The real truth should be pinned down."

Monday, June 4, 1956: Boycotters Are Unreasonable
"Maybe suspension or outright cancellation of the service will remove a source of strife and let things cool off ... "

Sunday, June 17, 1956: Bus Service Alternatives
"Imagine, no parking worries!"

Wednesday, June 27, 1956: It May Have Cleared the Air
"The boycott leaders should now recognize that there will be no settlement on the basis of complete integration ... "

Sunday, July 1, 1956: So the Buses Stopped
"What have they gained? Nothing!"

Thursday, July 12, 1956: The Bus Riding Campaign
"We think City officials out of regard for fairness and public safety must use every legal power to assure that the Negro car pool is operated in accordance with rules which are laid down for franchised public transpiration."

This advertisement appeared in the July 31 issue of the Tallahassee Democrat

Thursday, July 26, 1956: Suggestion From Ocala
"If a white man insisted on riding a segregated bus, he could wait half an hour."

Sunday, August 5, 1956: It's better dropped
"The Tallahassee City Commission was right, and smart, in dropping the ordinance it had proposed to outlaw car pools."

Monday, August 27, 1956: Arrest of Boycott Drivers is Justified
"Those regulations are necessary for public safety and convenience."

Saturday, September 1, 1956: Not By Ranting Nor By Chanting
"It would be best if they'd all just stay home."

Thursday, September 6, 1956: A Goal We Can Share
"True improvement of conditions should be the objective of both races."

Friday, September 28, 1956: Who'd Want It Any Other Way?
"Whose civil rights are violated?"

Sunday, October 14, 1956: No Help Needed
"A legislative investigating committee is a poor shortcut to justice or settlement of disputes."

Wednesday, October 24, 1956: Can We Pick Up The Thread?
"No one is trying to make anyone else ride a bus."

Monday, December 24, 1956: Keeping Order Is The Main Thing
"The Negro leaders have appealed to their people to bend over backwards to avoid violence. We believe our white citizenry, almost to a man, has the same desire."

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