In April 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama for organizing a peaceful demonstration during the Easter shopping season in hopes of removing humiliating racial signs from storefront windows, among other atrocities perpetrated by Southern Segregationists. As president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he and his staff were invited to Birmingham by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Upon agreement to come when called upon, Dr. King negotiated with store owners in Birmingham and a compromise was reached by both parties. If the store owners agreed to take down their "Whites Only" signs, a moratorium would be called on all demonstrations. Unfortunately, the store owners broke their promise and Dr. King realized he had no choice but to take action.
In the weeks leading up to the planned Easter action, the Reverend held classes for his demonstrators on non-violent protest, however Dr. King and his group of peaceful demonstrators were condemned, not for utilizing their first amendment right to peaceful assembly, but for their timing. I pose the question, "Is there ever an efficient time to demonstrate in the minds of those who refuse to perpetuate necessary change?"
In fact, Dr. King presented this certitude in a letter he wrote while incarcerated at the Birmingham Jail; "Lamentably, it is an historical fact that the privileged seldom give up their privileges voluntarily" and noted how "Through painful experience, freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed'.
When I think about the title give to Dr. King, that of  "Civil Rights Leader", I don't think of a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of one particular caste. I think of a man who laid down his very life for the advancement of the human race. 
It is one thing to be an outspoken advocate for change, for as it has been said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". But to stand by silently as those who attempt to effect change are condemned, for fear that they themselves might become segregated, must pursue the courage to speak out against injustice.

-Deannalynn Arzola

"Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

-Nurse Cavell, immediately prior to execution by German firing squad, 1915