... We have been forced to a point where we're going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demands didn't force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world it's nonviolence or nonexistence.

That is where we are today. And also in the human rights revolution. if something isn't done, and in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverry, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed.

If I lived in China or even Russia, or anv totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions. Maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so. just as I say. we aren t going to let any dog or water hose turn us around. We aren't going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on.

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.

... I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountain top. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. 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. And I'm happy tonight, I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

April 3, 1968

Memphis, Tennessee

Excerpt from Dr. King's last speech, before he was

assassinated on April 4,1968.

From:

The Words of Martin Luther King ,Jr., selected by Coretta Scott King (not available at production). Newmarket Press: New York