The civil rights movement encompassed the efforts of grassroots activists and national leaders to gain for African Americans the basic rights guaranteed to American citizens by the Constitution. Key players in the success of the civil rights movement were soldiers returning from war, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and anti-Vietnam War activists. During the civil rights movement, nearly every African American had experienced segregation at lunch stands. In a diary by Melvin Small, he stated: "Just as with the segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama, the African-American community, particularly the college student segment, has once again reached its saturation point of inequality ( Small)". To support King's nonviolent protest, college students across the South sat nonviolently at the lunch counters of various segregated variety stores (Pike). It was not an easy task because these students faced great difficulties. They have endured tear gas, police gunfire, arrests and prison sentences, all in the name of justice (Pike). Many students were dismissed from school for their contributions to the movement. Entire student bodies from various universities marched in protest, resisting intimidation from the police forces. Once again, King's belief in the power of unity was exemplified. The movement gained national attention. With this, city officials tried to divert attention. They accused King of perjury. King faced at least ten years in prison. Although the attempt was unsuccessful and King was found not guilty, the movement did not waver. The sit-in movement, particularly nonviolent resistance, was highly successful. Integration with... the center of the card... the black community. It was not easy for King and the others to take the position they faced but, without a doubt, they worked together for the good of the country. Works CitedHall, Mitchell K. “The Vietnam Era Anti-War Movement.” Organization of American Historians 18.5 (2004): 13-17. Print.Höhn, Maria and Martin Klimke. A Breath of Freedom: The Civil Rights Struggle, African-American Soldiers, and Germany. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Print.Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 1st ed. vol. 1. Oregon: Oregon Volunteers, 2005. Print.Pike, Brett. “DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN WORLD WAR II: RACIAL POLICIES AND THE MARCH TOWARD DESEGREGATION.” April-May 2011. Web.Shawki, Ahmed. Black liberation and socialism. Chicago, IL: Haymarket, 2006. Print.Smalll, Melvin. “Peace Research Journal.” Sage Publications, Ltd. 24.2 (1987). Press.