In April 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Alabama for protesting against racial segregation. While in jail, he wrote a letter to eight white clergymen who had criticized his actions. In the letter, King defends his actions and explains why civil disobedience is necessary in the fight for civil rights. He argues that the civil rights movement is a moral issue, not a legal one, and that it is the responsibility of all people to stand up against injustice. He also explains why direct action is necessary, and why it is important to break unjust laws. He concludes by expressing his hope that the clergymen will join him in the struggle for civil rights.
By Martin Luther King Jr. · First published 1963 · Genre: Non-Fiction, Essay, Civil Rights