On April 15, 1967, a delegation led by Dr. King met the legendary Ralph Bunche and other top UN officials. Mr. Bunche was the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and Dr. King was the second.
On the occasion of the International Day of People of African Descentwhich is commemorated annually on August 31st. Watch this archive report on Mr. Bunche, a legend at the UN, below:
During the epic meeting with UN officials, Dr. King presented a petition calling for an immediate and peaceful resolution to the Vietnam conflict (1961-1975).
Earlier that day, he had joined 125,000 protesters in what was the first of many mass demonstrations against the conflict.
Watch UN videos Stories from the UN Archives Watch the episode about the world-famous civil rights leader below:
‘No justice without peace, no peace without justice’
In the spring of 1967, Dr. King read the petition at UN headquarters, which even today continues to call for peace in ongoing wars around the world.
“From cities and towns, towns, campuses and farms, we have come by the tens of thousands to march and protest at the United Nations in New York and at the birthplace of the world body in San Francisco on April 15, 1967,” he said. “We, the participants in today’s unprecedented nationwide peace demonstration, though of many national origins, creeds and political views, are united in our conviction of the urgent need for an immediate, peaceful resolution to an illegal and unjust war.”
“We are determined that the killing stops and that a nuclear holocaust is avoided,” he said. “We gather at the United Nations to reaffirm our support for the principles of peace, universality, equal rights and self-determination of peoples enshrined in the Charter and celebrated by humanity, but violated by the United States.”
Regarding the priority of the peace movement and the civil rights movement, Dr. King said, “from a substantive point of view, the issues are inextricably linked.”
“Ultimately, 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 his assassination in 1968, just one year after visiting UN headquarters. His anti-war activism strengthened the connection between conflict abroad and injustice at home in the United States.
Dr. King’s lifelong efforts, from the March to Montgomery to his iconic I have a dream speech in Washington, have inspired future generations, including his own granddaughter. Earlier this year, 15-year-old activist Yolanda Renee King addressed an audience in the General Assembly Hall at a special commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Tradecelebrated annually on March 25.
“I stand before you today as a proud descendant of enslaved people who fought against slavery and racism, just like my grandparents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King,” she said from the green marble podium in Assembly Hall.
“My parents, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, also dedicated their lives to ending racism and all forms of bigotry and discrimination,” said the author of the recently published children’s book We dream a worlda tribute to her famous grandparents.
“Like her, I am committed to fighting racial injustice and continuing the legacy of my grandparents who stood up for social justice and equality,” said Ms. King, who called on young people around the world to take action.
“We need to connect through the internet and organize across national boundaries around the world. This will open up new possibilities for global campaigns to advance 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 address issues that affect our world.”
Watch her full statement below:
Stories from the UN Archives
UN News shows epic moments from the history of the UN, emerging from the UN Audiovisual Library‘s 49,400 hours of video and 18,000 hours of audio recordings.
Watch the UN videos Stories from the UN Archives playlist here and our associated series here.
Come back next time for a dive into history.
