Bull Connor
Theophilus Eugene Connor (July 11, 1897 â March 10, 1973), 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 is known for his violent reprisals against peaceful civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, where his shameful actions epitomized the racial problems that long existed in the South.
Political career
Connor was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives as a Democrat 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.
References
- â Kestenbaum, Lawrence. The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Connor.
- â Eugene "Bull" Connor (en).
- â Meet the Players: Other Figures | American Experience | PBS (en).