Final answer:
The central idea of the text is that the Civil Rights Movement's primary strategy of nonviolent protest was key to its success in achieving social and legislative changes. Option D best reflects this central idea, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between citizens and leaders to promote peace and justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of the text refers to the strategy and ethos behind the Civil Rights Movement, particularly focusing on nonviolent protest as the driving force for change. Option D, which states "Citizens and leaders must work together to reject violence and promote peace, which will allow them to fulfill the goals of the Civil Rights Movement and eradicate racial injustice", captures the essence of the movement's reliance on peaceful protest to effect social and legislative change. This idea is supported by the state of public opinion following the Violence by certain groups, the emphasis on local and grassroots activism in the movement, and Martin Luther King Jr's commitment to nonviolent strategies inspired by figures like Mohandas Gandhi.
Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) were pivotal in utilizing nonviolent methods to bring attention to segregation and discrimination. Large-scale movements and small local actions created a synergy that propelled the Civil Rights Movement forward. The legislative successes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, were significant milestones achieved through this peaceful activity, which was contrasted with the subsequent public apprehension towards more militant groups like the Black Panthers.