On April 4, 1968 shortly after 1800 hours, Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the hotel balcony of his second story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee (Saferstein, 2014). King was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers strike and was on his way to dinner when he was shot in the head and neck area. King was rushed to a Memphis hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after 1900 hours. Martin Luther King Jr. was only 39 years old when he was assassinated (History, 2017). Forensic specialists stated that the bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was in Memphis the day prior to his assassination giving a speech at the Mason Temple Church in Memphis. In his speech, he seemed to have …show more content…
A search of the area around the boarding house revealed a bundle containing a Remington .30-06 rifle, ammunition, binoculars, and a scope on the sidewalk by the boarding home. During the largest FBI investigation, the rifle was finger printed, eyewitness reports were gathered, and all other evidence gathered led the FBI to a single suspect by the name of James Earl Ray. Ray was a small time criminal and was an escapee from the Missouri State Penitentiary at the time of the assassination (Mary Ferrell, 2017). At the time of his escape, he was serving time in Missouri for robbery. The FBI along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was able to determine that Ray had obtained a Canadian passport under a false identity of George Raymon Sneyd (Mary Ferrell, 2017). On June 8, 1968, Ray was apprehended at a London airport as he was trying to get to Rhodesia. The United States then extradited Ray back to the United States. Ray went on trial in Memphis, and based off of his attorney’s advice, he plead guilty to shooting and killing King in order to avoid the death penalty. Ray was sentenced to 99 years in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Martin Luther King
He was standing on the balcony of a motel in Memphis Which is where he had made a trip to help a sanitation laborers' strike. In the wake of his passing, a rush of mobs cleared significant urban areas the nation over, while President Johnson announced a national day of grieving. James Earl Ray, a got away convict and known bigot, conceded to the murder and was condemned to 99 years in jail.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the most widely known civil rights activist of the 1960s. Although he most famous for his I Have a Dream speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote several more influential speeches for the Civil Rights Movement – an American movement that sought to extend equal rights to all U.S. citizens. During his lifetime, he was known for practicing nonviolence in the hopes to obtain social and economic equality of all African Americans. While this equality exists amongst the races today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not get to see the fulfillment of his dream. On April 4, 1968, he was assassinated on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee.
was was a minister and founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King led the civil rights movement since the 1950’s, using non-violent actions to fight segregation. King faced much criticism in the later years of his life from younger black activists who favored a more violent, confrontational approach to bringing change. King was standing on a second floor balcony in the spring of 1968 when he was struck in the neck by a sniper’s bullet. About an hour after being rushed to the hospital, King was pronounced dead. News of King’s assassination was reported internationally and covered in newspapers, magazines, and the nightly new in the days that followed. Many of the front page articles covering it were not about his death, but rather various stories surrounding it, including violent acts like burning and looting. The article "Assassination Of King Sparks Negro Violence" appeared on the front page of The Valdosta Daily Times and reported the reaction of the black public to the violent act committed against such a passive and strong non-violent leader. In contrast, “An Hour of Need”, published in TIME shortly after King’s death, said “Even as that hope blossomed, an older blight on the American conscience burst through with the capriciousness of a spring freeze. In Memphis, through the budding branches of trees surrounding a tawdry rooming house, a white sniper’s bullet cut down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., pre-eminent voice of the just aspirations and long-suffering patience of black America.” President Johnson called for an extraordinary joint session of Congress to hear “The President’s recommendations for action —constructive action instead of destructive action—in this hour of national need.’” He urged Americans to reject the violence and called on congress to pass the civil rights legislation entering the House for debate. On April 11, he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. In the climate of sorrow and guilt that engulfed
Who was a great well known activist in the past ? Militant is the best way to describe Malcolm as a person: Civil rights activist and Islamic preacher, he was often called the prince of Islam. As a comparison in the present world today Jay-z earned his way to go under as activist. Jay-z donated to a number of foundations that needed help from, and also countries around the world too. The common thread between the two are, the both went through tribulations to help their country in a lot ways.
Malcolm X was born on 1925 in Ohama, Nebraska. He was born in a big family. His father, Earl little was a Christian. Malcolm X grew up as the son of the blacks who face discrimination and pressure from the whites. Malcolm X left school early and find work in New York. He worked as a waiter in Harlem. His life was tough. He even sells drugs to and become addicted to it. He later becomes robbers. He was arrested and jailed in 1946.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in the evening of April 4, 1968 while exiting his hotel room. The news of King’s assassination left the African-American community shocked, disappointed and outraged. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. triggered various responses from the black and white communities. The black community’s main response was wide spread violence throughout the United States resulting in demises and military involvement, while a few decided to hold peaceful protests in King’s memory. Many in the white community celebrated, while others feared for their lives. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination fashioned a divide amongst the black and white populations, destroying lives, property, and necessitating the government’s involvement
Tragically, at the young age of thirty-nine years old, a great man was murdered by a known racist who was a career criminal. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known civil rights leader who had come to Memphis, Tennessee to support a sanitation workers’ strike and gave his last speech on the night of April 3, 1968, at Mason Temple Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the next day at 6:00 p.m. Doctor Martin Luther would be murdered by a single shot on the balcony of his hotel room ("Martin Luther King Jr Assassination - Black History - HISTORY.com", 2010). James Earl Ray was serving time for armed robbery when he escaped from the Missouri State Prison a year before the assassination. On April 3, 1968, James Earl Ray arrived in Memphis, Tennessee.
Martin Luther King Day is a day to remember all of the things that King did in his life including his life story, his “I Have a Dream” speech, and his memorable holiday. People celebrate to salute Martin’s accomplishments and thank him. “A day on, not a day off” has been told to express that the holiday is used to also encourage community service (Schulke). This man changed the timeline of history and clearly left his mark on the world. Next time it’s the third Monday in January, remember that it is not just a regular day; it is a landmark in history.
Martin Luther King was one of the greatest civil right activists in American history. Martin Luther King impacted American society in many ways and one of the most important things he did for America was weakening racism in America. At the time when he was living, colored people living America were treated differently with white people. For example colored people needed a pass to go through certain places, they could not go to the same school as white people and it was much harder for colored people to get a job compare to white people. Martin Luther king thought these were wrong. He also thought these were against American dream. For him American dream meant every people having equal rights, opportunity and freedom. What was happening in America were completely against these. To fix this problem, Martin Luther King moved around the country and did nonviolent protest and organized a peaceful marching which attracted national attention showing brutality of police that were trying to stop the march. Martin Luther King also delivered a lot of speeches that inspired many people all over the world and one of his speeches include “I have a Dream.” One of the most famous speeches in America. In this speech he clearly explain his own opinion of how he think everyone should be treated
On March 28th, 1968, as King led thousands of sanitation workers on a march through downtown Memphis, this led to an outbreak of violence. King returned to Memphis for the last time on April 3rd, declaring “because I’ve been to the mountaintop and I’ve seen the Promised Land.” He continued, “I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” The following evening the assassination took place as he stood on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in
Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on the evening of April 4, 1968 while exiting his hotel room. The news of King’s assassination left the African-American community shocked, disappointed and outraged. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. triggered various responses from the black and white communities. The black community’s main response was widespread violence throughout the United States, resulting in demises and military involvement, while a few decided to hold peaceful protests in King’s memory. Many in the white community celebrated, while others feared for their lives. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination fashioned a divide amongst the black and white populations, destroying lives, property, and necessitating the government’s
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When most Americans hear that name the first thing that comes to mind is his “Dream”. But that is not all he was. His life was more than a fight against segregation, it was segregation. He lived it and overcame it to not only better himself but to prove it could be done and to better his fellow man.
In our past there have been many leaders with unique leadership qualities, but the one leader who stands out is Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King showed leadership skills and qualities by protesting against segregation in the United States. Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929 to Alberta Williams King and Martin Luther King Sr. He was born in Atlanta Georgia at a time when African Americans were fighting for equality. ( Clark). King devoted most of his life to fight for equal rights for African Americans. In joining this fight he demonstrated courage, he never gave up on his beliefs, and was a phenomenal public speaker.
To clarify the fact James Earl Ray is not an assassin one must look toward his reputation. James Earl Ray was born into a poor family and was the first of nine children. Being that some of his childhood was during the depression he probably was the type to fight for his own well being. In January of 1946 Ray joined the army. (Clarke 243) While in the army Ray sold cigarettes, drank, fought, and he was eventually discharged. From 1949-1959 Ray did many robberies and when, in 1959, he was finally caught he was sentenced to 20 years in prison (Clarke 244) Ray Later attempted escape in 1960, in 1966, and was successful on April 23rd, 1967. (Clarke 245) Ray, during this time never showed any serious acts of threatening or hurting anyone. (Clarke 244) So why would Ray suddenly turn into assassin and kill someone who has a slim effect on him?
Convicted for armed robbery in 1960, James Earl Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary on April 22, 1967. Ray’s hatred for the black population and support for Nazism fueled his drive to assassinate pacifistic leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. During the civil rights era, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s strong political and religious presence caused him to be a potential target as many denounced his promotion of equality amongst blacks and whites in America. Moreover, with the use of a Remington rifle, Ray shot King from a bathroom window of a hotel located across the street from the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had a perfect view of King standing on the motel room balcony. On the eve of April 4, 1968, King was pronounced dead. Afterwards, Ray fled to Canada where he changed his identify and created a fake passport which would later be used to flee to Brussels, Belgium from a Scottish airport. However, Ray was caught at Heathrow Airport on June 8, 1968 and was deported back to America. James Earl Ray was convicted in March 1969 for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. In court, Ray voluntarily pleaded guilty before Judge W. Preston Battle which reduced his sentence to 99 years in prison instead of the death penalty . As will become evident, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. resulted in the immediate outburst of riots, Robert Kennedy eulogizing King, the high attendance of King’s funeral service, and the implementation of the Fair Housing Act; the prosecution of James Earl Ray; and in the longer term, the creation of Martin Luther King National Holiday as well as the desire to reopen the case of James Earl Ray in 1997.