Difference between revisions of "Bull Connor"
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[[File:Democratic voter suppression.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Democrat voter suppression in the Bull Connor era.]] | [[File:Democratic voter suppression.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Democrat voter suppression in the Bull Connor era.]] | ||
| − | '''Theophilus Eugene Connor''' (July 11, 1897 – March 10, 1973<ref name=politicalgraveyard>[https://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/connor.html#745.93.98 Index to Politicians: Connor]. ''The Political Graveyard''. Retrieved October 3, 2023.</ref>), known as '''T. Eugene Connor''' or more commonly '''Bull Connor''', was a prominent [[Democratic Party]] leader in Alabama known for his militant white supremacism consistent with the state's [[Progressive Movement|Progressive]] tradition. Alabama was a hard-core Confederate state which was still coming to terms with the end of the American Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves. Connor | + | '''Theophilus Eugene Connor''' (July 11, 1897 – March 10, 1973<ref name=politicalgraveyard>[https://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/connor.html#745.93.98 Index to Politicians: Connor]. ''The Political Graveyard''. Retrieved October 3, 2023.</ref>), known as '''T. Eugene Connor''' or more commonly '''Bull Connor''', was a prominent [[Democratic Party]] leader in Alabama known for his militant white supremacism consistent with the state's [[Progressive Movement|Progressive]] tradition. Alabama was a hard-core Confederate state which was still coming to terms with the end of the American Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves. |
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| + | Connor known for his extremist reprisals against peaceful civil rights demonstrations in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], where his shameful actions epitomized the racial problems that long existed in [[the South]]. The "public safety" commissioner's card-carrying, partisan allegiance with violent Democratic segregationists is infamously remembered to this day for his public manifestation of unrestrained, animalistic savagery unleashed upon civil rights advocates. | ||
==Early life and background== | ==Early life and background== | ||
Revision as of 00:49, October 4, 2023
| T. Eugene “Bull” Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former President of the Alabama Public Service Commission From: January 18, 1965 – January 17, 1972 | |||
| Predecessor | Jack Owen | ||
| Successor | Kenneth Hammond | ||
| Former Birmingham Commissioner of Public Safety From: 1957–1963 | |||
| Predecessor | Robert Lindbergh | ||
| Successor | (none, position abolished) | ||
| Former Birmingham Commissioner of Public Safety From: 1937–1954 | |||
| Predecessor | W. O. Downs | ||
| Successor | Robert Lindbergh | ||
| Former State Representative from Alabama From: 1935–1937 | |||
| Predecessor | ??? | ||
| Successor | ??? | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Democrat | ||
| Spouse(s) | Beara Levens | ||
Theophilus Eugene Connor (July 11, 1897 – March 10, 1973[1]), known as T. Eugene Connor or more commonly Bull Connor, was a prominent Democratic Party leader in Alabama known for his militant white supremacism consistent with the state's Progressive tradition. Alabama was a hard-core Confederate state which was still coming to terms with the end of the American Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves.
Connor known for his extremist reprisals against peaceful civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, where his shameful actions epitomized the racial problems that long existed in the South. The "public safety" commissioner's card-carrying, partisan allegiance with violent Democratic segregationists is infamously remembered to this day for his public manifestation of unrestrained, animalistic savagery unleashed upon civil rights advocates.
Early life and background
Connor was born on July 11, 1897, in Selma, Alabama. In his early career, he worked as a reporter for sports on Birmingham radio.[1]
Political career
Connor was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1934.[1] 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,[2] 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.[3] 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.
On December 26, 1951, the day following Christmas, Connor was arrested in a hotel room for adultery with Christian Brown, his secretary.[1] Although fined, convicted, and sentenced to prison, the verdict was overturned the following year.
Death and legacy
Connor died on March 10, 1973, in Birmingham, and is interred at Elmwood Cemetery.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Index to Politicians: Connor. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ↑ Eugene "Bull" Connor (en).
- ↑ Meet the Players: Other Figures | American Experience | PBS (en).