Breaking News: Democratic National Convention Marked by Civil Rights Issues

1948 and 1964 Conventions Dominated by Civil Rights

WEB Du Bois Challenges Segregated Delegation at 1964 Convention

Atlantic City, New Jersey - The 1964 Democratic National Convention was marked by significant civil rights issues, echoing the tensions that had dominated the 1948 convention. Attorney General Robert Kennedy delivered a powerful address on poverty, emphasizing that most Americans desired victory in the war against it. In 1948, Southern Democrats, known as Dixiecrats, challenged the platform's support for civil rights. In 1964, WEB Du Bois took on a similar role, challenging the segregated delegation sent by Mississippi's established Democrats. His protest highlighted the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. Kennedy's address, known as his "Poverty Speech," resonated with the audience and became a defining moment of the convention. He emphasized the need for sustained economic growth and investment in social programs to address the issue of poverty.