The leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s included notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for nonviolent protest and civil disobedience to combat racial inequality, becoming one of the most prominent voices for the movement. Malcolm X, initially representing a more militant approach, sought to address systemic racism through self-defense and empowerment. Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, becoming a symbol of resistance. Together, these leaders significantly advanced the fight for civil rights in America.