MLK: A Man With A Dream

MLK: A Man With a Dream

“I have a dream,” These four words brought us all together, and changed the way we lived our lives forever. Dr. King changed the lives of many in a movement known as the civil rights movement. Wanting to start a movement, King did not want to cause violence. Because of this mentality, he used a form of non violence inspired by Mahatma Gandhi (King 7). He was one of the leaders for many movements throughout the civil rights era such as the Montgomery bus boycott, and the March on Washington. Many of these movements and protests created laws that were passed to non discriminate against African Americans. Because of his help to pass laws such as the the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, MLK received

King was elected president of the SCLC and his job was to travel around the world informing people on non violent protests and civil rights, while also meeting with religious, and political leaders such as Richard Nixon. He even traveled to India and met with family members and followers of Gandhi, whom is the influence behind King’s non violent change (History). In February 1960, African American students started a non violent movement known as a “sit-in.” It was a form of nonviolent protest in which students would go to lunch counters that would not serve African American people and would sit there until they would either be served or kicked out. The students were protesting segregation at lunch counters and the movement

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The protest spread across Memphis and resulted in police brutalities. King traveled down to Memphis to lead demonstrations. After it was over on April 3, King spoke to a rally that he had received threats to his life and encouraged to continue the fight despite what happens to him (Encyclopedia). On April 4, 1968, King was shot while on the balcony of a motel in Memphis. James Earl Ray was an escaped convict who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.

King was one of the most important African American leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent activism for the justice of African Americans. His legacy is often best portrayed by his help in the Civil Rights Act. King is also remembered for his March on Washington speech, often remembered as his “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1983 President Nixon signed a bill that created a U.S. federal holiday for King. It is celebrated on the third Monday of January every year. The holiday was first celebrated in 1986 (History).

Without King, this country would not be where it is now. Without King,