"How did the Children's March illustrate Dr. King's call for 'direct action' to create 'tension'?" (5-7 sentences)

The Children's March, which took place in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963, was a pivotal event that illustrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s call for "direct action" to create "tension." Dr. King believed that nonviolent direct action was necessary to force a community to confront and address the issue of racial injustice. The march involved thousands of African American children who bravely left their schools to protest segregation. Their participation drew national attention and highlighted the brutal response of local authorities, who used fire hoses and police dogs against the young demonstrators. This created a sense of moral urgency and discomfort, or "tension," among the broader public, compelling them to acknowledge and address the systemic racism in the South. The widespread media coverage of the event galvanized public opinion and increased pressure on political leaders to enact civil rights legislation. Thus, the Children's March effectively demonstrated how direct action could create the necessary tension to bring about social change.