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→Political career
==Political career==
==Political career==
Connor was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1934.<ref name=politicalgraveyard/> Connor remained a loyal [[Democrat]] throughout his career and life. In 1936 he was elected Commissioner of Public Safety of Birmingham, Alabama and served in that position for the better part of three decades. A [[white supremacist]],<ref name=alencyclopediabio/> Connor enforced racial segregation laws passed by the [[Democratic party]]-controlled state legislature and denied [[civil rights]] to black citizens. He is notorious for directing the use of fire hoses and police attack dogs against civil rights activists in the early 1960s, including against children supporting the protests.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/meet-players-other-figures/ Meet the Players: Other Figures]. ''PBS''. Retrieved October 3, 2023.</ref> National media broadcast these tactics on television, horrifying much of the world. The outrages served as catalysts for passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].
Connor was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1934.<ref name=politicalgraveyard/> In 1936, he was elected Commissioner of Public Safety of Birmingham, Alabama and served in that position throughout the span of three decades.
In the early 1960s, Connor directed the use of fire hoses and police dogs against peaceful civil rights activists, including against children supporting the protests.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/meet-players-other-figures/ Meet the Players: Other Figures]. ''PBS''. Retrieved October 3, 2023.</ref> National media broadcast these tactics on television, horrifying much of the world; the outrages served as catalysts for congressional passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].
On December 26, 1951, the day following [[Christmas]], Connor was arrested in a hotel room for adultery with Christian Brown, his secretary.<ref name=politicalgraveyard/> Although fined, convicted, and sentenced to prison, the verdict was overturned the following year.
On December 26, 1951, the day following [[Christmas]], Connor was arrested in a hotel room for adultery with Christian Brown, his secretary.<ref name=politicalgraveyard/> Although fined, convicted, and sentenced to prison, the verdict was overturned the following year.