LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL

CLAIM #1

Claimed that King had no right to be involved in Birmingham.
""... facing of issues can best be accomplished by citizens of our own metropolitan area.""

MLK'S RESPONSE #1

• President of the SCLC
• Has jurisdiction in Alabama
• Those who live in the US are not outsiders
• ""I have the honor of serving as president of the SCLC...
• operating in every southern state.""

#1 CONTINUED...

• ""Anyone who lives inside the US can never be
• considered an outsider anywhere in this country.""

CLAIM #2

• Accused King of taking extreme measures
• ""We do onto believe that these days... are days
• when extreme measures are justified.""

MLK's RESPONSE #2

• Actions needed to be taken because some black
• people were conforming to segregation.
• Others were becoming angry so he needed to help them
• ""... the fact that I stand in the middle of two opposing forces in
• the negro community.""

CLAIM #3

• Having untimely and unwise actions
• ""But we are convinced that these demonstrations
• are unwise and untimely.""

MLK'S RESPONSE #3

• Birmingham government never would've moved to action
• He needed to prod them for results to happen
• ""... the new Birmingham administration must be prodded...""

CLAIM #4

• Needed to be handled in court rather than in protests
• because MLK's actions were against the law.
• ""When rights are consistently denied, a cause should
• be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among
• local leaders and not in the streets.""

MLK'S RESPONSE #4

• Their demonstrations were peaceful
• Didn't need the Courts because they weren't breaking the law
• ""An unjust law is no law at all"" - St. Augustine

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR