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Buzz Feed
03-04-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Your Cat Will Love These 27 Products And You Probably Will Too
1. A pair of grooming gloves so you can comb your cat while petting them simultaneously. With 255 silicone grooming tips, your cat can finally slip into a state of zen as you massage their excess fur away. 2. An orthopedic window hammock that molds to your cat's body to help soothe any muscle or joint pain they may have. Think of this bed like a body pillow for your four-legged buddy. Promising review:"It was easy to put together, and no installation is required; it simply fits onto the window track and rests on the wall below. No holes made in your walls are a big plus! It is very sturdy but easily relocated if needed. I have two cats, and both fit quite comfortably together. The material is of great quality, and the bed portion is thick, super soft, and cushy. This has become their favorite place to nap or watch birds." — Jeff Drew Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in four colors). 3. A Greenies dental treat because a lack of opposable thumbs makes it hard for your cat to brush their teeth. These treats promote gum and tooth health as your fur babies chew on these delicious treats. Plus, they also give your cat a fresh breath, which is always welcome. Promising review:"I bought these treats hoping to improve one of my cat's breath and the day we got them, all of our cats devoured them (I gave them about six treats each). In fact, after I put them away, our Maine coon got on the kitchen counter and was trying to knock the treat container down to open it up. He definitely wanted more." — Sheila B. Get it from Amazon for $3.28. 4. A plush purring pillow for cats who need to feel like they're always cuddling something. This is great for cats of all ages who crave plush textures and soothing sounds as they snooze away. Promising review:" I bought this toy for my senior cat with night-time dementia. While I was suspicious because of the price and toy form (it is just a soft shell except for the sound box), she loved it. It only purrs for two minutes, but that is usually enough to help her calm down. She often sleeps snuggled up with it and even uses it as a pillow! We haven't had to wash it yet, but removing the sound box and tossing it in the wash will be easy. I don't know how effective it would be for a busy kitten, but it is perfect for this old gal." — Nicole Brown Get it from Amazon for $10.99. 5. An interactive laser pointer, because playtime is not just about having fun — it's important for keeping your cat active and maintaining their cognitive health, too. Promising review:"I have two very active cats, and they both love chasing the red dot. But the standard ones require me to push the tiny button, and sometimes I am utterly swamped with work. So I ordered this for them, and they are HUGE FANS. They hear it whirr on, and they are all set to play for fifteen minutes. They know exactly where the red dot comes from, but they don't care! Fun to watch them play, and it keeps them out of my hair for a while!" — Dawn Get it from Amazon for $18.88+ (available in four versions). 6. A catnip alternative variety box if you're tired of cleaning up piles of dusty catnip, but still want to give your feline pal something that will calm their nerves throughout the day. OK, this kit still has catnip inside for days where you can actively clean up after your cat, but it also contains chew sticks to pump them up (and entertain them!) mess-free while you're busy working! Meowy Janes / Etsy The box includes matatabi chew sticks, silvervine powder, valerian root, and an all-natural blend of catnip packed with the most potent part of the plant: its flowers. Meowy Janes is a small New Jersey-based business that sells all-natural catnip and alternatives, such as whole silvervine fruit. Promising review:"Arrived quickly and the cats are enjoying it thoroughly. Our kitten after playing with some of the catnip, got bold enough to approach our new rescue dogs!" — Jennifer Get it from Meowy Janes on Etsy for $44+ (available with up to four refillable toys). 7. A grooming brush for cats who have some extra knots in their fur from writhing around all day. This brush is self-cleaning, meaning that you won't have to worry about anything but listening to your kitty purr as you rid them of a matted coat. Promising review:"This brush is 10x more comfortable for my cat, while still pulling a decent amount of shed hair. Cleaning it is AMAZING. Just press the button, pull the pad of hair off, and it doesn't fill up until after nearly a full session of brushing." — The Horse Doc Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two colors and four styles). 8. A Greenies Pill Pocket treat that is just like sneaking veggies into a picky eater's meal. Simply place your cat's pill inside the treat, mold the soft treat around the pill, and watch them enjoy every last bite of what they think is a yummy snack. Promising review:"These Pill Pockets make life so much easier! Saves a twice-a-day fight! It only takes a second to place the pills inside and pinch shut. My cat loves the treat!" — Melissa Get a 45-pack from Amazon for $6.48+ (available in three flavors and two sizes). 9. A self-grooming/scratcher cat toy for the feline who seemingly never stops brushing up against you for pets. Its low placement makes it easy for your cat to brush by, and its handy scratching post can double as a lounging spot. Promising review:"I was looking for some products for my 18-year-old kitty. I wasn't sure if she would like this product, but she loves it! Even my hairless cat loves to scratch his face and back with it. Great product for a decent price." — Cindy Get it from Chewy for $18.99. 10. An interactive roller cat toy, because playing isn't just for kittens! Playtime is vital to ensuring that your cat can maintain their physical health and mental awareness throughout their life. I have this toy, and my two cats play with it for hours on end. Promising review:"I bought this for our cats because their plastic roller exerciser broke. The ball kept coming out. This roller exerciser has exceeded my expectations. The toy is well-built and made of bamboo. It is easy to assemble and clean with a damp rag. Our kittens love their new toy, and it keeps them entertained. Our older cats are even playing with it. This is a good quality toy that will last longer than any other toy. I highly recommend this toy. I would purchase again." — Bvolbr Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes). 11. A pair of claw trimmers to shape up the claws of your feline companion. This trimmer has a safety guard to prevent over-cutting your cat's claws, a locking mechanism to ensure that there are no slip-ups, and a built-in nail file that slides into the handle for a kitty manicure that is purrfect. 12. A fuzzy cat tree with a hammock because your cat deserves a spot other than your couch to rest their tired eyes. This has room for a few cats *and* doubles as a scratching post! Walmart 13. A self-grooming cat toy that will provide your cat with those cute cheek scratches while you're too caught up with your daily tasks. I have a few of these toys adhered to different corners in my home to help my cats brush their fur as they are passing by. Pro tip: add the included catnip to the slots on either side of the toy to turn groom time into playtime. 14. A silicone cat bowl mat, because messes are inevitable when dinnertime rolls around. This will keep your floors food-free, and will also protect them from water damage if your cat is the type to splash their water bowl before drinking. Promising review:"I have two cats who love their dry food nuggets. So much so that they use their paws to lift it out of the bowl and put it on the floor to eat. I tried several things to keep the area clean (hand towels, etc.), but the mat works the absolute best. They can lift kibbles out, and then I can just shake the mat out. No more messes all over my floors. Love it!" — Alice N. Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five sizes and 20 colors). 15. An exercise wheel, since sometimes, cats just need to get their energy out, and they'll do anything it takes to say, "hey! Play with me!" which includes scratching at things they know they're not supposed to. This will help them release their desire to play while being a great workout! One Fast Cat Promising review:"My 2-year-old sphynx is very energetic and the wheel lets her burn some of that off. Worth every penny to see my baby happy!" — Meaghan M. Get it from One Fast Cat for $199 (available in two base colors, three traction pad colors, and two inline wheels colors). 16. A plush self-warming cat bed so comfortable, you'll wish it came in human size. Your feline will adore this cozy cocoon for their lil' naps. Promising reviews:" Purchased this in the small size for my senior female kitty and she loves it. I had purchased similar cat beds in the past that were okay, but went with this brand this time when other cats in the house commandeered them. This bed is taller than the others I purchased. Very soft and I washed it after receiving it using a front loader washer with no problem. Used low heat in the dryer, and it came out really soft and fluffy. My cat took about 20 minutes before she settled in it and she seemed very content. Plenty of room for her to curl up and be cozy. Would recommend to others looking to buy this." — Twinkie " I've had this for three days and my senior cat has spent at least 36 of those 72 hours in this bed. She took one sniff and it was instant love. I set it in front of her favorite heat vent. I plan on keeping this as long as it lasts. Looks durable, though haven't had it very long. There are non-slip bumps on the bottom, which would be nice if I had to move it to the wood floors. The medium was the right size for a very average size cat." — Valerie Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four sizes and eight colors). 17. Orrrr a self-warming mat, because cats will sleep anywhere that feels nice and toasty (same). This is great for both the small kitties and older cats in your home who need a bit of help keeping their bodies nice and warm. Promising review:"Got this for the stray cat who lives in our neighborhood and sleeps on our porch. I showed it to him in the yard during the day, and he instantly laid down on it and took a nap. It's held up well, and you can feel the heat it holds when the cat has been laying on it." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors). 18. A cat grass growing kit that'll keep your cats from eating the plants around your home. This is extremely important to have as a cat owner since some house plants are actually toxic to cats! Promising review:"My cats and I love this! It's quick and easy to set up, and we have some nice grass for munching within a few days. I have two that we alternate growing new batches of grass in, so there's always a little on hand for snacking with two cats. The cups are sturdy, and we have not had any tip over or spills. I usually keep one close to some plants that I don't want to be chewed on, and the grass works great to keep them away from those other plants. I've gifted these a few times as well, and it's always a hit!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.94. 19. Or a grass scratcher toy to keep your cat busy as they scratch, chase, and lounge. I have this scratcher, and I love watching my cats chase roller toys between the slits in the surface. I also love that my cats have something other than my rugs to scratch at! Promising review:"Our cats love this toy so much! They love the texture of the grass and the challenge! Highly recommend." — Pamela MacPhee Get it from Amazon for $12.99. 20. A waterless shampoo for the cool cats who really don't like taking baths. This spray is great for wiping dusty paws and clearing off any debris from the outside world, plus it gently cleans your furry friend's fur. Target Promising review:"This is awesome for my 4-week-old kitten. It is unscented but somehow made my kitten smell fresh and clean. It's very convenient to avoid water baths and at a great price, too!" — jb Get it from Target for $6.49. 21. A fruit tart bed since cats can sometimes scratch at cozy couches when making biscuits or preparing for a nap. Your cat can use this bed to make all the biscuits they want during their ninth slumber of the day. They will also have lemon, kiwi, strawberry, and blueberry-shaped cushions to play with when they wake up! Promising review:"Ahh, this is so cute!!! I have two cats, and they love this bed now. When I first got it, my cats were confused and stayed away for a while. My boy, Decaf, started playing with the blueberries and strawberries around the house and would even carry them around. My girl, Fey, began sleeping in the tart with all the fruit. Now they both sleep in the bed, sometimes together, which is so impossibly cute and a tangle of kitty limbs! My boy is a 16-lb large cat, and my girl is about 7 lb (so small), so while the bed looks smallish, they're cats. They are gonna attempt to fit in anything. If they fits, they sits." — cle Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (also available in bread and banana designs). 22. A set of lickable cat treats for the cats in your life who have very high standards about the food they eat. My cat is such a picky eater that sometimes I wonder if she goes on regular hunger strikes. Yet, whenever I open this container, she comes running. Promising review:"One of three of my cats love these. I cat-sit a family of four cats, and each cat loves these and fights over them. The one cat who I love is a fluffy, beautiful Maine coon, and my mom one day fed her 'chewy' as we call them, in her small, tiny crystal jewelry dish. My beautiful little miss will not eat her chewy unless served in the small crystal dish. I suppose you could say this food makes cats feel like royalty! Her coat and fur are beautiful, too!" — Kathy Get a 60-pack from Amazon for $36.99. 23. A stainless-steel cat water fountain if your cat refuses to hydrate themselves from anything other than the running kitchen faucet. Save your water (and your water bill) with this super cute floral fountain that will give your kitty the illusion of running water and encourage them to drink more. Plus, it lights up at night! Promising review:"He's happy as can be with it. He couldn't stop drinking, and he's still going at it. This is a great product. It makes me feel good about my cat. I think it makes my cat, more importantly, feel better. It's easy to clean. It's easy to assemble." — Alex Olsen Get it from Amazon for $24.99. 24. A fluffy fleece blanket because cats love warmth! Place this in your cat's bed or wherever else they love to lounge and watch them purr their way to dreamland in no time. Promising review:"These blankets are so nice and soft. Very cuddly, for sure. I usually use them with kitties I foster and/or rescue. These blankets help to keep kittens feeling snug and warm whenever I'm holding them or whenever I take them to the vet with a carrier. They do help make car rides much calmer whenever I put these blankets inside the carriers with the kittens. They last long and wash well." — Sandra S Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in sizes S–L and four colors). 25. A cardboard cat scratching pad that your cat will go to TOWN on whenever the scratching mood strikes. Plus, this pad will assist your cats in their natural nail-filing routine. Amazon Promising review:"As a multi-cat household, I've become a bit of a connoisseur of the durability of cardboard scratchers for cats. This three-pack is less expensive than what we can find in our local big box store and are beloved by our cat household for the XL size which is perfect for laying on while shedding those claw sheaths!" — Brooke Get a set of three from Amazon for $23.78. 26. A Cat Dancer string toy because your shoelaces deserve to be left alone. Consider gifting this toy to your cat to keep them engaged in play for hours. Amazon Promising review:"Mira absolutely loves this Cat Dancer toy. It is her very favorite. No matter how grumpy she might feel, she perks up when we bring out the Cat Dancer and leaps and jumps and runs after it one hundred miles an hour. Thanks." — Julie Briggs Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 27. A Petstages treat-dispensing puzzle that'll help your kitty slow down if they eat as quickly as you serve them their food. Promising review:"This toy is awesome! At first, my cat didn't understand it — I would put the treat in and cover it, and he thought it was gone. So I started putting treats in the cups uncovered, and he would just eat out of the cups. After a couple of days of that, I put the treat in and just partially covered it so he could see it, but he had to move the drop out of the way to get the treat. Once he'd mastered that, I was able to cover it completely and he knew to move the drop to get the treat. We haven't gotten to the advanced level with the pegs yet. It's SO much fun teaching him and seeing him get the hang of it, and it's great for indoor cats to have a mental challenge and 'hunt' for their food. Highly recommend!" — Trudi M. Rosenblum Get it from Amazon for $17.99. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
America's Path to Equality: The March for Voting Rights
The Brief America's civil rights leaders completed their 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol in Montgomery 60 years ago. It marked a turning point in history that inspired the Voting Rights Act. It also followed the horrific beating in Selma commonly known as "Bloody Sunday." SELMA, Ala. - March 25, 1965, marked a turning point in history. America's civil rights leaders completed their 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama to the state capitol in Montgomery 60 years ago. It inspired the Voting Rights Act and changed the course of history. It also followed the horrific beating in Selma commonly known as "Bloody Sunday." RELATED: America's Path to Equality: Bloody Sunday The backstory On March 7th, 1965, African Americans peacefully marched for the right to vote and were beaten near Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge by the forces of segregationist Governor George Wallace. "It is difficult to talk about without getting a little emotional because I had never seen that much hatred. I had never seen anything like that before in all my life," said Jeff Drew, a student activist from Birmingham who joined the Selma movement. For background, the federal government gave blacks the right to vote after the civil war. Then, after Reconstruction, southern states effectively took it away through intimidation, poll taxes and difficult tests called poll exams or literacy tests. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "On occasion, they were asked to count the number of bubbles on a bar of soap, the number of jellybeans in a jar," said former Congressman John Lewis, before dying in 2020. Two days after Bloody Sunday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a second march and suspended it when he saw armed troopers blocking their path. That night, a mob found and murdered James Reeb, a white minister who had joined the march. Dr. King sought and received help from federal court. A judge ordered state troopers to stand aside for the march to resume. Meanwhile, President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the national guard to protect the marchers. It took bi-partisan support from a Democratic U.S. president and a Republican judge to proceed. PREVIOUS: America's Path to Equality: Selma and the Tampa Connection "I always point out to my Republican friends that all the people who decided in our favor were Republicans," said Dr. King's right-hand man, Andrew Young. "Every case we won across the south, it was a Republican judge." Dig deeper Al Lingo had marched through Florida, and was in this St. Augustine pool with black friends, when the motel owner attacked them with acid. His parents wanted him to stop, but he and thousands of others are drawn to Selma after Bloody Sunday, because it is dangerous and needs to change. "There were young people who were making something go, and kind of defeating the notion that everything is really okay here," said Lingo. White supremacists arrived as spectators along the curb. Some spit at marchers and journalists as they passed. Jeff Drew was one of the march runners around the Edmund Pettus Bridge — meaning he ran along the edge of the road. READ:America's Path to Equality: The Selma Movement "My job and other kids my age. We were commissioned to run from the back of the bridge all the way to the front and back to keep the marchers from accidentally stepping on the curb," he said. Andrew Young managed the pace, and Former Florida Governor LeRoy Collins helped him keep people safe. As governor, Collins denounced segregation, killed his career in state politics, and found a higher calling in the cause of civil rights. A parade of nuns, ministers and students swelled to more than 30,000 people. They walked through cold rain and stopped at farms that invited them to eat and sleep. "We lived in tents," said Richard Smiley, a march participant and retired Tampa professor. "On the road they had farmers. Some of the farmers would let us put up a tent." Newsreels depicted them as foot soldiers for freedom, while segregationist propaganda claimed they were communists. It's a narrative of triumph, versus fear tactics that worked back then throughout much of the south. That's why peaceful marchers call it the "Battle of Selma." "The real struggle is a struggle for what's true," Lingo said. Tampa's Path to Equality: Part 1: The First Steps Part 2: The Awakening Part 3: 'Election of the Century' Part 4: The Sit-ins Part 5: The Breakthrough Part 6: The 'Tampa Technique' Part 7: Live on Stage They knew they could prevail the farther they marched and the harder they pushed. "There was a white guy named Jim. He had one leg and was on crutches. I knew him personally. He walked that whole 50 miles," said Smiley. "When he got to Montgomery, he had calluses as big as my hand." The march inspired Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, which President Johnson signed on August 6, 1965. It banned the difficult tests and other tactics that disenfranchised black voters for generations. It empowered voter registration drives, expanded the electorate, produced a new generation of African American leaders, and it serves as one of our greatest strides on America's Path to Equality. The Source The information in this story was gathered through research and interviews conducted by Craig Patrick. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
America's Path to Equality: Selma and the Tampa Connection
The Brief March 7 marks the solemn anniversary of what's known as "Bloody Sunday." Hundreds of peaceful marchers were beaten in Selma, Alabama that day in 1965, and it led to a breakthrough on the path to equality. A Tampa civil rights activist helped change another man's life and even played a role in sparking the Selma movement. TAMPA, Fla. - March 7 marks a solemn anniversary in the battle for civil rights. Hundreds of peaceful marchers were beaten in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. It's known as 'Bloody Sunday,' and it led to a breakthrough on the path to equality — and specifically for voting rights. RELATED:America's Path to Equality: The Selma Movement The backstory During segregation, governments across the south disenfranchised blacks from voting. They used several techniques – one of the most striking was called a poll exam or a literacy test. The tests varied from state to state. An aspiring voter might have to print the word vote upside down in the correct order, or draw a square, divided in half from NE to SW, then divided in a broken line from Midwest to Mideast, and write right from the left to the right while bisecting vertical lines or shapes with curved horizontals, or know where the Constitution dictates original jurisdiction when the state is party to a case. And if they missed anything, they flunked. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "We actually had classes where we would teach voters how to pass the poll tax exam. It was a horrible voter registration campaign, because Birmingham and Alabama didn't want you to be registered to vote," said Birmingham activist Jeff Drew. Dig deeper As an experiment, a Duke University Law Professor sent Alabama's literacy test to 96 Constitutional law professors across the nation. They all failed. People were exempt from taking the test if they had a grandfather (or ancestor) who was eligible to vote before 1870. That's how the term 'grandfather clause' originated, and it's the loophole that exempted whites from taking the test (whites were eligible to vote before 1870 or 1867, while blacks were not). "Yes, there were all kinds of stumbling blocks to keep you from registering to vote," said civil rights activist and retired Tampa Professor Richard Smiley. Tampa's Path to Equality: Part 1: The First Steps Part 2: The Awakening Part 3: 'Election of the Century' Part 4: The Sit-ins Part 5: The Breakthrough Part 6: The 'Tampa Technique' Part 7: Live on Stage Local perspective Smiley spent most of his life in Tampa, but in the 1960s he was living in a foster home 90 miles south of Birmingham in a small town called Selma. A civil rights activist came to town and changed his life "A gentleman by the name of Bernard Lafayette was in Selma organizing, and we were marching," he said. The backstory Lafayette was born and raised in Tampa. He became one of the original freedom riders who defied segregation in public busing, was beaten for it, and sent to Mississippi's notorious Parchman prison in 1961. After Lafayette was freed, he traveled to Selma. He helped launch the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (commonly called "Snik"), which inspired students like Smiley, and sparked the Selma movement. "I used to go to jail every day, every day," said Smiley in describing the peaceful protests. "I just believed all my life. I believe in standing up for what is right." READ: Leaders to designate Tampa home that belonged to successful Black entrepreneur as local historic landmark Why you should care As the Selma campaign gained traction, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights activists across the nation took notice. For context, in 1963 they succeeded in Birmingham, in part, because they had the perfect foil in the ruthless police boss Bull Connor. "Law and order had taken a backseat," said Birmingham activist Jeff Drew. "Bull Connor was the perfect model. He didn't know it at the time, but he was the perfect model for our campaign." Then, in 1964, they said they succeeded in St. Augustine, in part, because they had the perfect foil in motel owner James Brock, who poured jugs of acid into a pool of integrationist protestors. As they watched the student protests in Selma, and they saw Sheriff James Clark pushing, prodding and jabbing nonviolent demonstrators, and knew they had found the perfect foil again. Dig deeper Dr. King's organization (the SCLC) and the SNIK movement joined forces to turn the national spotlight on Selma and the tactics of Sheriff Clark. "And everyone in the white power structure of this city must take responsibility for everything Jim Clark does in this community," said Dr. King. MORE: Is the historic Sanchez Y Haya building actually in Ybor City? One city map says no Then, on February 18, 1965, a young man named Jimmie Lee Jackson was trying to protect his mother from a police beating near Selma, and a state trooper shot and killed him. That inspired them to speed up their plans to March 7, with a cold 50-mile march from Selma to the state capitol in Montgomery, and a fateful bloody clash with the forces of Sheriff Clark, and segregationist Governor George Wallace. This led to the beatings of March 7, 1965, that became known as Bloody Sunday, followed by a triumphant march to Montgomery from March 21-25. As Civil Rights leaders commemorate the 60th anniversary, FOX 13 will continue special coverage throughout the month of March. The Source The information in this story was gathered through interviews with civil rights activists as well as research done by FOX 13's Craig Patrick. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
America's Path to Equality: The Selma Movement
The Brief America's climactic battle for civil rights took place in Selma, Alabama 60 years ago. The March in Selma focused on voting rights and followed the campaigns in Birmingham and St. Augustine that compelled passage of the Civil Rights Act. FOX 13 sat down with civil rights pioneers who survived Bloody Sunday and who completed the March. SELMA, Ala. - America's climactic battle for civil rights took place in Selma, Alabama 60 years ago. The March in Selma focused on voting rights, and it followed the campaigns in Birmingham, Alabama and St. Augustine, Florida that compelled passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The backstory In Birmingham, on May 3, 1963, students peacefully protested racial segregation, but police attacked them with firehoses and dogs right in front of the press. The images appeared in newspapers across the nation, and inspired federal lawmakers to draft the Civil Rights Act, which segregationists stalled in the senate. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube In St. Augustine, on June 18, 1964, a motel owner poured acid in a pool with black and white swimmers. It shocked the nation's conscience, broke the senate filibuster, and convinced Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act one day later. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared "St. Augustine may well pave the path to freedom for the century of freedom for all." It did. The path to equality led from Florida back to Alabama, where peaceful student activists resumed their efforts. While the Civil Rights Act required restaurants and hotels to serve blacks, it did not remove the barriers to voting. White supremacists who ruled the south required blacks to pay an extra tax called a poll tax and pass a so-called literacy test. Tampa's Path to Equality: Part 1: The First Steps Part 2: The Awakening Part 3: 'Election of the Century' Part 4: The Sit-ins Part 5: The Breakthrough Part 6: The 'Tampa Technique' Part 7: Live on Stage Dig deeper "The poll tax exam required people to know how many windows there were in the courthouse. How many steps there were on the northern entrance to the courthouse, there were absolutely asinine questions being given to register to vote that no one could answer those questions correctly," said Jeff Drew, a civil rights activist who participated in the Birmingham and Selma marches as a high school student. This inspired students like Drew to advocate for voting rights in what would become the Selma marches in March of 1965. The first ended in horrific beatings known as Bloody Sunday on Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. The third trekked 54 miles to Montgomery. What's next FOX 13 sat down with civil rights pioneers who survived Bloody Sunday and who completed the March and will share their accounts throughout the month of March as the U.S. commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Selma. The Source The information in this story was gathered through interviews and research by FOX 13's Craig Patrick. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
