○  we shall overcome  ○

where in this country, from the great lakes to the gulf of mexico, from the golden gate to the harbors along the atlantic, will rally now together in this cause to vindicate the freedom of all americans.

for all of us owe this duty; and i believe that all of us will respond to it. your president makes that request of every american.

the real hero of this struggle is the american negro. his actions and protests, his courage to risk safety and even to risk his life, have awakened the conscience of this nation. his demonstrations have been designed to call attention to injustice, designed to provoke change, designed to stir reform. he has called upon us to make good the promise of america. and who among us can say that we would have made the same progress were it not for his persistent bravery, and his faith in american democracy.

for at the real heart of battle for equality is a deep seated belief in the democratic process. equality depends not on the force of arms or tear gas but depends upon the force of moral right; not on recourse to violence but on respect for law and order.

and there have been many pressures upon your president and there will be others as the days come and go. but i pledge you tonight that we intend to fight this battle where it should be fought -- in the courts, and in the congress, and in the hearts of men.

we must preserve the right of free speech and the right of free assembly. but the right of free speech does not carry with it, as has been said, the right to holler fire in a crowded theater. we must preserve the right to free assembly. but free assembly does not carry with it the right to block public thoroughfares to traffic.

we do have a right to protest, and a right to march under conditions that do not infringe the constitutional rights of our neighbors. and i intend to protect all those rights as long as i am

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