Frozen out of the Democratic Party for refusing to keep quiet about his beliefs, Wallace formed a new “Progressive Party” and launched a long-shot bid for president. The campaign was driven by Wallace’s unshakeable commitment to justice and peace – fighting racial segregation, promoting equal rights for women, preventing the Cold War – even though they were politically unpopular causes whose time had not yet come.
During the campaign, Wallace’s commitment to racial equality earned him enemies. He refused to speak before segregated audiences and toured the region with a mixed race staff. Southern whites responded viciously. “They were egged, and they were tomatoed,” wrote Studs Terkel of Wallace and his companions. “They were threatened. They were driven out of town.” A sheriff warned, “Mr. Wallace, this is very dangerous. You may not live through this week.”