The prominent figure behind the civil rights movement in the U.S. was Martin Luther King Jr.. A Baptist minister and activist, King played a pivotal role in advocating for racial equality and social justice through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. His leadership during significant events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, galvanized public support for the movement. King's powerful speeches, particularly his iconic "I Have a Dream," emphasized the call for racial harmony and justice, leaving a lasting legacy on American society and civil rights legislation.