Do You Remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s Visit to Berkeley?
The civil rights leader spoke out against the Vietnam War on the steps of Sproul Plaza on May 17, 1967. Were you there? Share your experience and memories in the comments.
Photos
Where were you on May 17, 1967?
If you were anywhere near UC Berkeley, you'll remember a historic visit: Martin Luther King Jr. speaking out against the Vietnam War from the steps of Sproul Plaza. The crowd was 7,000 strong.
"This war has all the dimensions of a Greek tragedy," said King.
The 1968 presidential election was on the horizon, and on this day, a man in the audience presented King with a petition urging him to run for office, stating that Americans who opposed the war wanted the chance to vote for an anti-war candidate. "Doctor King, will you be our candidate in 1968?" the man asked.
"I must say that it's very kind of you to even express such concern and make such a request," replied King. "...I do not feel that I'm presidential timber. I am committed to trying to do this job of civil rights and this job of building wherever we can more opposition to the war in Vietnam, and this would certainly take all of my time. I would rather think of myself as one trying desperately to be the conscience of all the political parties, rather than being a political candidate."
Listen to an excerpt of King's 1967 UC Berkeley speech by visiting American Public Media's "King's Last March" project.
Do you remember MLK's visit to Berkeley in May 1967? Share your experience in the comments. Did you take pictures? Upload them by clicking "add photos & video" below.
Lou Judson
6:12 am on Monday, January 16, 2012
I came to Berkeley in 1973, so no. But I still call it Grove Street, from long habit. Always will. Or Milky way...
Baldwin King
6:39 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Yes, I was there. I remember how electrifying the atmosphere was. As you would imagine, Berkeley, being the liberal place it was and probably still is, was very much against the war and gave MLK a hearty reception.
Baldwin King PH.D, Class of 1968
Robert Edwards
9:35 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Strictly by chance, I met Dr. King At the San Francisco Airport on his last visit to the Bay Area. As a San Mateo High School student, 17 years old, I went with two friends to the airport, to people watch, as we had done occasionally in the past. I saw three men in dark, winter coats (they stood out for this reason) and I quickly recognized Dr. King as one of the men. My friends didn't want to accompany me to meet him, so I approached him by myself, and I went up to him and shook his hand. I was surprised that he was slightly shorter than I was, and I'm only 5'10".
I introduced myself, asked him why he was in the Bay Area, and where he was coming from. He told me that he had come from Boston, and was speaking at UC Berkeley the next day. I remember that he told me that he would be speaking at the Greek Theatre. I welcomed him the the Bay Area, and he thanked me, and he and his associates proceeded on toward the baggage claim area.
Recently one of the friends who was with me that night asked me if I remembered the event, and I most certainly do remember this exciting experience!
What a great memory this is for me!!
I have never relayed this event publicly until now.
Bob Edwards
robertedwards22@gmail.com
A. Hicks
8:19 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
I have a tape of his speech which I got from KPFA many years ago. This is quite a treasure because I can not find a copy of it anywhere on the net. He made some amazing statements about US imperialism. I think this is one of his greatest speeches.
Emily Henry
10:49 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012
A Hicks: have you thought about sharing the file online? It would be wonderful for people to be able to listen to the speech.
Harold Adler
7:35 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
"America's Chief Moral Dilemma" was the title On the immoral consequence of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Harold Adler
7:37 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2002/05/17_mlk-photo.html
Harold Adler
7:40 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Poster available at the Reprint Mint On Telegraph Ave in Berkeley CA