7. These peaceful forms of protest were often met with vicious
threats, arrests, beatings, and worse. King emphasized how important it was that
the civil rights movement did not sink to the level of the racists and hate mongers
they fought against: "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by
drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred," he urged. "We must forever
conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline ». King's
philosophy of "tough-mindedness and tenderheartedness" was not only highly
effective, but it gave the civil rights movement an inspiring moral authority and
grace.
8.
9. Over 250.000 persons gather in washington in August, 1963 urging support
for pending civil rights legislation.
10.
11.
12. Violence and controversy followed. In outrage of the murder, many blacks took
to the streets across the United States in a massive wave of riots. The FBI
investigated the crime, but many believed them partially or fully responsible for
the assassination. An escaped convict by the name of James Earl Ray was
arrested, but many people, including some of Martin Luther King Jr.'s own
family, believe he was innocent.
13.
14. He was one of the greatest liberals that ever
walked this earth. Dr. King is one of the few true
American heroes. In an age where it has become
fashionable to hero-bash-uncovering the nefarious
backgrounds and destroying the myths of
American heroes, like George Washington and
John F. Kennedy--the name of Dr. King has
remains unblemished, and justifiably so Dr. King
stood for what he believed, and was a man ahead
of his time. In the face of adversity, he dedicated
and sacrificed his life for the equality of all people.
15. His dream, which many today still share, has continued to live on as his legacy. His
adversaries took his life, but his heroic legacy will never die. "Free at last, free at
last, thank God almighty we're free at last."
Because he was brave enough to preach his thoughts without fear.
16.
17.
18. The family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. walk in the funeral procession of the slain
civil rights leader, in Atlanta, April 9, 1968.
