It’s Martin Luther King Day

Words Destiny Fakoya

Martin Luther King, Jr was crucial to the Civil rights movement and ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States. King promoted nonviolent tactics to achieve civil rights, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts in the Civil rights movement. He was fundamental in shaping the minds of African American - that their aspirations were attainable inspite of the social, economic and political constraints enforced by the State until his death by assassination in 1968.

Timeline of Civil Rights Movement King was involved in:

1. 1955 — Montgomery Bus Boycott

Rosa Parks was involved in the Montgomery bus boycott; she was arrested and fined for refusing to give up her bus seat for a white man. King was one of the leaders of this boycott which ultimately resulted in The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favour of integration of Montgomery bus system.

2. 1961 — Albany Movement

The Albany Movement was a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in Albany, Georgia, in November 1961. King gave a speech in front of over 1,000 protesters and led a 250 people march to Albany City hall-imprisoned for parading without a permit and obstructing the sidewalk

3. 1963 — Birmingham Campaign

King’s campaign to end segregation at lunch counters and in hiring practices drew when police turned dogs and fire hoses on the demonstrators; King and other supporters were jailed. The media coverage garnered worldwide attention to the racism and segredation in America.

4. 1963 — March on Washington

In the historic March on Washington. On August 28, 1963, an interracial assembly of more than 200,000 gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to demand equality for all citizens. Here King orated the “I Have a Dream” speech.

5. 1965 — Bloody Sunday

Police violently beat civil rights activist beginning a march from Selma, Alabama protesting the denial of voting of voting right sto African Americans and the murder of 26-year old actovits Jummue Lee Jackson fatally short during peaceful protest days earlier. Television coverage coined teh term for the protest as the ‘Bloody Sunday’.

King was a champion for desegregation and equality for African Americans. Who would not relent until the plight of African Americans was recognised worldwide and the issue was addressed in the Supreme Court and presented in front of Presidents as well as citizens of the state. A life time of fighting for peace and fundamental human rights of African Americans is why we celebrate King today. The national holiday is a time to reflect on history, his teachings and tactics and work together to ensure his dream lies on till date.