"In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: 1)collection of facts to determine whether injustices are alive; 2)negotiation; 3)self-purification; and 4) direct action. We have gone through all of these steps in Birmingham...Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of police brutality is known in every section of the country. Its unjust treatment of Negroes in the courts is a notorious reality. There have been more unsolved bombings of negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any city in this nation. these are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts. On the basis of these conditions Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the city fathers. But the political leaders consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation."
Martin Luther King fights off criticism given to him about his current position inside of a jail in a fairly standard way. He starts off by saying that the reason he's in the jail is that he was simply doing what he thought was right, and also being supported by a large number of individuals in his decision. He then goes on to talk about how his goal is to combat the social and physical injustices thrown upon African Americans through different acts like bombings and olive brutality. He also describes his plan for Birmingham through the steps necessary and how the town meets all the prerequisites. He states the conditions in which his mission and motives were brought us un-ignorable and unbelievable. He then further defends his actions by saying peaceful negotiations were already attempted but ignored. He does all this to set the scene for the rest of his letter.
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