Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Robert F. Kennedy Speech on Death of Martin L. King
By Mbowyer, April 8, 2006
1. Robert F. Kennedy on Death of Martin L. King Marker
Here on the evening of April 4, 1968, Kennedy came to address a large crowd of mostly African Americans in his bid for Democratic Party nomination for president of U.S. Instead, visibly shaken, he gave an impromptu speech about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. that day in Memphis, Tenn.
Kennedy urged the crowd to follow Rev. King’s lead and respond with understanding and prayer. Citing the need to avoid division, hatred, and violence, he called for love, wisdom, compassion, and justice. The speech is credited with keeping Indianapolis calm, while other cities reacted with violence.
Erected 2005 by Indiana Historical Bureau and City of Indianapolis, Mayor Bart Peterson. (Marker Number 49.2005.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists.
Location. 39° 47.422′
By Mbowyer
2. Side Two of Robert F. Kennedy on Death of Martin L. King Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Northside (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camp Morton (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Western Christian University (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ovid Butler, Sr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); T.C. Steele Studio and Herron (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Also see . . .
1. Annotated and Footnoted Marker Text. The Indiana Historical Bureau's marker database has a copy of this marker's text with seven footnotes that provide detailed information on Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Kennedy's campaign, and citations on the facts given on the marker. (Submitted on April 13, 2006.)
2. Robert F. Kennedy: Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Text and audio of RFK’s speech. (Submitted on April 13, 2006.)
Additional keywords. humanitarian
By Mbowyer, April 8, 2006
3. View of the Monument
By Unknown, Aol, 1968
4. Robert F. Kennedy, April 4, 1968
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2006, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 17,935 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 10, 2006, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 6, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
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