What pressured the Kennedy administration to add the power of the presidency to the civil rights struggle after the events in Birmingham Alabama?

The violent confrontations during the Birmingham protests in 1963, particularly the brutal response to peaceful demonstrators, garnered national and international attention, shocking the public and stirring widespread outrage. This pivotal moment highlighted the urgent need for federal intervention in the Civil Rights Movement, pressuring the Kennedy administration to take a stronger stance. Additionally, the administration recognized that civil rights advancements were essential for maintaining credibility on the global stage during the Cold War, where the U.S. was competing for moral authority against communism. Consequently, President Kennedy felt compelled to leverage the power of the presidency to promote civil rights legislation and address systemic injustices.