On April 15, 1967, a team led by Dr. King met with the famous Ralph Bunche and other senior UN officials. Mr. Bunche was the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and Dr. King was second.
On the occasion of the International Day of People of African Descent, which is celebrated every year on August 31, see this report from the archives about Mr. Bunche, UN legend, below:
During the historic meeting with UN officials, Dr. King presented the petition, seeking a quick and peaceful solution to the Vietnam conflict (1961-1975).
Earlier that day, he had marched with 125,000 protesters in what was the first mass march against the riots.
Watch UN videos News from the UN Archive excerpt from the world famous human rights lawyer below:
‘There is no justice without peace, there is no peace without justice’
Outside the UN Headquarters in the spring of 1967, Dr. King read aloud a petition that, even today, resonates for peace in ongoing wars around the world.
“We come from cities and towns, cities, campuses and farms, we came in tens of thousands to march and participate in the United Nations in New York and in the birthplace of the world movement in San Francisco on April 15, 1967,” he said. “We are participants in an unprecedented international peace protest, although we have many national origins, religions and political views, united in our belief in the urgent need for a quick, peaceful solution to the illegal and unjust war.”
“We are determined to stop the killing and prevent the destruction of nuclear weapons,” he said. “We gather at the United Nations to affirm our support for the principles of peace, universality, equal rights and self-determination of peoples contained in the Charter and admired by humanity, but violated by the United States.”
Regarding the progress of the peace movement and the civil rights movement, Dr. King said “from a content point of view, the issues are inextricably linked”.
“In the end, there can be no peace without justice, and there can be no justice without peace,” he said.
Inspiring future generations
The civil rights leader continued to advocate for peace during the last year of his life before he was assassinated in 1968, one year after visiting the UN Headquarters. His anti-war activism strengthened the connection between conflicts abroad and injustices at home in the US.
The life efforts of Dr. King, from March to Montgomery to his fame I am a dreamer in Washington, they inspired future generations, including his grandson. Earlier this year, 15-year-old activist Yolanda Renee King addressed the audience at the General Assembly Hall in a special commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which is observed annually on March 25.
“I stand before you today as a proud descendant of enslaved people who resisted slavery and discrimination like my grandparents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King,” he said from the green marble stage of the Assembly Hall.
“My parents, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, were also dedicated to ending racism and all forms of racism and discrimination,” said the author of a recently released children’s book. We dream of a countryhonoring his famous grandparents.
“Like them, I am committed to fighting racial injustice and continuing the legacy of my grandparents who fought for social justice and equality,” said Ms. King, calling on young people around the world to take action.
“We need to connect through the Internet and organize national borders around the world. This will open up new opportunities for global campaigns to promote human rights and social justice in all nations. I hope that my family’s legacy of advocacy for social justice will inspire my generation to action and to address the issues that affect our world.”
Watch his full statement below:
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