apr 4, 1968 - Martin Luther King Jr. Shot, April 4, 1968

Description:

MLK Jr., the most famous civil rights leader, was staying in the second floor Lorraine when he was assassinated by a sniper. The sniper was James Earl Ray, a known racist and small time criminal. The day before the assasination MLK jr. gave a speech about his followers entering “the promised land” (equality), but he would not be there to see it. He had already survived an assasination attempt on september 20th that year. MLK’s death radicalized many moderate civil rights group and led to riots and violence across the country. Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the fair housing act soon after to preserve MLK’s legacy of non violence. The King family did not believe Ray was the assassin and wanted him to have a fair trial.

How did the King family’s treatment of James Earl Ray exemplify MLK Jr’s ideal America?

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