Eugene "Bull" Connor

Eugene "Bull" Connor was a police and fire department official in Birmingham, Alabama, during the 1950s and 1960s. He is known for actively opposing the civil rights movement, often using aggressive tactics to suppress protests and efforts for racial integration. His forced use of fire hoses and police dogs against peaceful demonstrators, especially African Americans fighting for equal rights, drew national and international criticism. Connor’s actions highlighted the severe racial tensions of the era and helped galvanize support for the civil rights movement. His legacy is widely associated with resistance to racial equality and justice.