Public Response
Civil Rights
“If any demonstrator ever lays down in front of my car, it'll be the last car he'll ever lay down in front of.” – George Wallace
Public Response
As protesters continued to use non-violent methods of protest, they were met with a violent reaction from the public. Police officers turned high pressured hoses and dogs on marchers. Many were beaten and arrested. Whites who participated in the protests were also beaten and arrested. When the nine black students arrived for their first day of school following desegregation, they were blocked from entering by the governor of Arkansas and the Arkansas National Guard. They were surrounded by a mob who called for lynching. They were finally allowed to enter when President Eisenhower sent troops to protect them, but they were still met with racism and hatred.