The important figure who advocated for civil rights through nonviolent protest is Martin Luther King Jr. He championed racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement with a philosophy rooted in the teachings of Gandhi. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington symbolized his vision for a society free from discrimination. His leadership and peaceful demonstrations played a pivotal role in achieving significant legislative changes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.