Stories from the United Nations Archives: The origins of ‘no justice, no peace’
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When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, visited United Nations Headquarters in the 1960s to protest the conflict in Vietnam; the civil rights leader likened the anti-war movement to the fight for equal rights for black people. Black in America, declaring what has now become a rallying cry in the ongoing fight against racism.
On April 15, 1967, a delegation led by Dr. King held a meeting with the legendary Ralph Bunche and other top United Nations officials. Mr. Bunche was the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and Dr. King was the second.
Check out our report from the archives on UN legend Mr. Bunche. This.
During the meeting, Dr. King presented a petition, calling for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Vietnam (1961-1975). Earlier that day, he marched with 125,000 protesters, the first of many mass demonstrations against the war.
Watch the United Nations video Stories from the United Nations Archives Below is an episode about the world-famous civil rights advocate:
‘There is no justice without peace, there is no peace without justice’
Outside United Nations Headquarters in the spring of 1967, Dr. King read aloud a powerful petition for peace in the midst of chaos.
“From towns and villages, cities, schools and farms, tens of thousands of us marched and demonstrated at the United Nations in New York and at the birthplace of the world organization in San Francisco. Francisco on April 15, 1967,” he said. “We, the participants in today’s unprecedented national peaceful protest, despite our many national origins, creeds and shades of political opinion, are united in our conviction of there is an urgent need for an immediate, peaceful solution to an illegal and unjust war.”
“We are determined to stop the killing and avoid a nuclear holocaust,” he said. “We gather at the United Nations to reaffirm our support for the principles of peace, universality, equality and self-determination of peoples embodied in the Charter and recognized type welcomed, but violated by the United States.”
Regarding the priorities of the peace movement and the civil rights movement, Dr. King said “from a content perspective, the issues are inextricably linked.”
“In the final analysis, there can be no peace without justice, and there can be no justice without peace,” he said.
Dr. King spoke to the press at United Nations Headquarters in New York in 1967. (file)
Inspire future generations
The civil rights leader continued to advocate for peace throughout the last year of his life before being assassinated in 1968, exactly one year after he visited United Nations Headquarters. His antiwar activism reinforced the connection between conflict abroad and injustice in the United States.
Dr. King’s lifelong efforts, from the March to Montgomery to his icon I have a dream speech in Washington, inspired future generations, including his granddaughter. Earlier this year, 15-year-old activist Yolanda Renee King Address audience in the General Assembly Hall at a special celebration of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Tradeis marked every year on March 25.
“I stand before you today as a proud descendant of slaves who fought slavery and racism like my grandparents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King,” she said from the green marble podium in the Hall.
“My parents, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, also devoted their lives to ending racism and all forms of bigotry and discrimination,” said the children’s book author. judge”. We dream of a worldto pay tribute to her famous grandparents.
“Like them, I am committed to fighting against racial injustice and continuing the legacy of my grandparents, who fought for social justice and equality,” Ms. King said, calling on the world to Children around the world take action.
“We must connect via the internet and organize across national borders around the world. This will open up new possibilities for global campaigns to promote human rights and social justice in all countries. I hope that my family’s legacy of social justice advocacy will inspire my generation to take action and confront the issues affecting our world.”
See her full statement below:
Stories from the United Nations Archives
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