Who was the leader of the civil rights movement who advocated for nonviolent protest?

The leader of the civil rights movement who is most renowned for advocating nonviolent protest was Martin Luther King Jr. His philosophy was heavily influenced by the principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience derived from Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. King believed that peaceful protests, such as marches, sit-ins, and boycotts, were the most effective way to address racial injustices and promote social change. He led several significant events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Through his approach, he aimed to achieve equality and justice through love and understanding, rather than through violence and retaliation. This strategy was pivotal in the successes achieved by the civil rights movement throughout the 1950s and 1960s.