The influential leader of the civil rights movement who advocated for nonviolent protest was Martin Luther King Jr. His philosophy of nonviolence was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and was pivotal during the 1950s and 1960s in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. King employed methods such as peaceful demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins to promote equality and justice. His leadership during significant events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, solidified his role as a key figure in advancing civil rights.