The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, was a key organization in the American civil rights movement during the 1960s. Founded in 1960, it aimed to increase voter registration among African Americans and to challenge segregation through nonviolent protests. The group played a significant role in organizing events like the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington. SNCC was primarily composed of young activists, many of whom were college students. They focused on grassroots organizing and community engagement, empowering local leaders to fight for civil rights. Over time, the organization evolved, adopting more radical approaches and eventually facing internal divisions regarding strategy and leadership.