The famous civil rights leader known for nonviolent protests and who led the Montgomery Bus Boycott was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to nonviolent resistance was influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and was central to the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 was sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger. Under King's leadership, the boycott highlighted racial segregation and contributed to significant legal and social changes in America.