![]() For as we walk the streets of Montgomery we realize that we did not walk alone, for hundreds and millions of people walked with us - and above all, God walked with us. ![]() And this struggle could not have taken place and we could not have continued the struggle without the support and backing of people all over America. And I am happy to report that today in Montgomery, Ala., a Negro passenger can sit anywhere on the bus that he wants to sit and where a seat is available. For it was in Montgomery that a mighty struggle took place and I bring special greetings to you from the 50,000 Negro citizens of Montgomery who came to see back in 1955 on the 5th of December that it is ultimately more honorable to walk in dignity than to ride in humiliation.Ĭertainly as a result of their willingness to substitute tired feet for tired souls they were able to break down the barriers of bus segregation. Ralph Abernathy.Īnd I can never address any audience in this country or out of the country without bringing just a word of greetings from Montgomery, Ala. The Cradle of the Confederacy, Montgomery, Ala., was a community where I lived some five or six years, along with Rev. But I bring greetings from the part of the South where we live at this time, and the state of Georgia, and where we lived a few years ago, in the state of Alabama. ![]() We bring greetings to you from the deeper South I say the deeper South because I don’t want to feel that Virginia is not in the South. Whether you are facing court trials, whether you are facing other trying moments, we want you to know that we are with you. May I say to you that you have my prayers, my moral support, and all of the support that I can possibly give as you continue in the days ahead. Virgil Wood, for the great leadership that he has given to this community in this tense period of transition … I must also express my appreciation to you in this community who have worked with him and who worked in such untiring manner to grapple with the problems here and to break down the barriers of segregation and discrimination. I must express my personal appreciation to your leader and our friend, the Rev. Milton Read, and the presidents of our various affiliated organizations throughout the state - for making our visit so enjoyable and meaningful and for all of the courtesies extended.Īnd I know that after we leave we will be able to go on to the next state knowing that some very significant gains have been made here in the state of Virginia. We have a great deal to be thankful for, and certainly we are grateful to our many friends and our many co-workers in this state - from the president of the State Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Virginia, Dr. ![]() I need not pause to say how very delighted I am to be here in the City of Lynchburg and the State of Virginia and to join my colleagues in bringing the people-to-people (tour) of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to this community and to this state. Thank you very kindly for your heartwarming applause and I want to express my deep personal appreciation to my good friend and close associate in the struggle for freedom for those very kind and gracious words of introduction. Text provided by Lynchburg physician Peter Houck, who transcribed it several years ago from a tape of the speech while working on a project about black history in Lynchburg. Editor’s Note: Here is the full text of the speech delivered by the Rev. Click here to listen to a recording of the speech. in Lynchburg, Virginia – March 27, 1962Īs printed in the News and Advance article: ‘The American Dream’: MLK address in 1962 at E.C. ![]()
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