The influential civil rights leader known for his philosophy of nonviolent protest was Martin Luther King Jr.. He championed the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for racial equality and social justice through peaceful means. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, King organized numerous demonstrations, including the historic March on Washington in 1963, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. His leadership and commitment to nonviolence significantly advanced civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.