South Titusville in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’

Memorable Quotes from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 16, 2021

1. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ Marker

Inscription.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’. Memorable Quotes from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ . The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is the most important written document of the Civil Rights Era. His eloquent justification of the movement and its tactics inspired moderates to join the struggle for racial equality., On Good Friday, April 12, 1963, King, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy and others marched near Kelly Ingram Park in violation of a court order against demonstrations opposing segregation. Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Conner arrested the group and transported them to the Birmingham City Jail. Eight white ministers published a plea for blacks to be patient and rely on the courts instead of direct action to achieve their goals. , While incarcerated in a small, cell, King scribbled arguments and quoted philosophers, patriots and scripture. King argued that confrontation was necessary to pressure whites to negotiate in order to achieve social justice. He wrote, "Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” His lawyers took the bits and pieces of paper to campaign coordinator Wyatt Walker who organized and edited the thoughts to about 7,000 words. The letter was dated April 16 and published in May, 1963., Unveiled April 16, 2013 by Elder Bernice King, Gov. Robert Bentley and Mayor William Bell. , Memorable Quotes from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." , “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." , “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.” , “One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.", “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." , A Joint Project by Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011-2012 and Alabama Tourism Department

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is the most important written document of the Civil Rights Era. His eloquent justification of the movement and its tactics inspired moderates to join the struggle for racial equality.

On Good Friday, April 12, 1963, King, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy and others marched near Kelly Ingram Park in violation of a court order against demonstrations opposing segregation. Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Conner arrested the group and transported them to the Birmingham City Jail. Eight white ministers published a plea for blacks to be patient and rely on the courts instead of direct action to achieve their goals.

While incarcerated in a small, cell, King scribbled arguments and quoted philosophers, patriots and scripture. King argued that confrontation was necessary to pressure whites to negotiate in order to achieve social justice. He wrote, "Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” His lawyers took the bits and pieces of paper to campaign coordinator Wyatt Walker who organized and edited the thoughts to about 7,000 words. The letter was dated April 16 and published in May, 1963.

Unveiled April 16, 2013 by Elder Bernice King, Gov. Robert Bentley

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and Mayor William Bell.

Memorable Quotes from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."

“Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.”

“One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."

“Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

A Joint Project by Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011-2012 and Alabama Tourism Department

Erected 2013 by Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011-2012 and Alabama Tourism Department.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1963.

Location.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 16, 2021

2. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ Marker

33° 29.764′ N, 86° 49.317′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in South Titusville. It is on Beta Street south of 6th Avenue South, on the left when traveling south. Located in front of the Birmingham City Jail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 409 6th Ave S, Birmingham AL 35205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colored Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); St Paul Lutheran Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington School (approx. 0.4 miles away); The New Pilgrim Baptist Church / New Pilgrim Baptist Church Timeline (approx. half a mile away); South Elyton Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Glen Iris Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Disabled American Veterans (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Elyton Courthouse Bell (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 16, 2021

3. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,753 times since then and 602 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.