The famous civil rights leader known for advocating nonviolent resistance is Martin Luther King Jr. He played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, promoting peaceful protests and existential dignity through nonviolent means. Inspired by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, King aimed to challenge systemic racism and segregation in the United States. His leadership during key events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, left a lasting legacy in the struggle for civil rights and social justice.