Bruce Boynton

Bruce Boynton

Bruce Carver Boynton (June 19, 1937 – November 23, 2020) was an American civil rights activist and attorney. He is best known for his role in the landmark Supreme Court case Boynton v. Virginia, which helped to desegregate interstate bus travel in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Bruce Boynton was born in Selma, Alabama, to a family deeply involved in the civil rights movement. His mother, Amelia Boynton Robinson, was a prominent civil rights leader who played a significant role in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Boynton attended Howard University School of Law, where he was inspired by the teachings of civil rights leaders and the legal strategies of Thurgood Marshall.

Boynton v. Virginia

In 1958, while traveling from Washington, D.C., to Alabama, Boynton stopped at a bus station in Richmond, Virginia. He sat in the "whites-only" section of a restaurant and refused to move when asked. Boynton was arrested and charged with trespassing.

Boynton's case was taken up by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and it eventually reached the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1960, the Court ruled in Boynton v. Virginia that racial segregation in public transportation facilities was illegal under the Interstate Commerce Act. This decision provided a legal foundation for the Freedom Rides of 1961, which were organized to test and enforce the desegregation of interstate travel.

Legal Career and Later Life

After graduating from law school, Boynton faced significant challenges in finding employment due to his civil rights activism. Despite these obstacles, he eventually established a successful law practice in Selma, Alabama.

Boynton continued to be involved in civil rights advocacy throughout his life, often speaking about his experiences and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. He remained a respected figure in the civil rights community until his death in 2020.

Legacy

Bruce Boynton's courage and determination played a crucial role in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. His case set a precedent that helped dismantle the legal framework of segregation in public transportation, paving the way for further civil rights advancements.

See Also

• Freedom Riders
• Civil Rights Movement
• Amelia Boynton Robinson

References

• "Boynton v. Virginia," 364 U.S. 454 (1960).
• "Bruce Boynton, whose case inspired the Freedom Rides, dies at 83," The Washington Post, November 24, 2020.

External Links

• NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund