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separations, numerous arrests, threatened lynchings , and even a couple of fire bombings. Their public crusade against racism had been deeply felt on both of their parts. Like her husband, Coretta believed in nonviolence and in the right of blacks and all Americans to live in dignity and peace. Her deep religious faith had helped her face many ordeals during the struggle for civil rights. Coretta knew that justice could be won, and she understood that sacrifices were necessary to achieve it. Now her husband’s life was one of those sacrifices. MOURNING WITH THE NATION She began to make arrangements for her husband’s funeral. Four years earlier, Dr. King had won the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to nonviolence and his belief in the equality of all people. Coretta wanted Martin’s memorial service to pay homage to his spiritual strength and moral courage. Harry Belafonte suggested that Coretta make some sort of public statement to both comfort Dr. King’s followers and answer questions from the press. He also requested her help in leading the protest march for the garbage collectors in Memphis—as her husband had intended to do—which was still scheduled for Monday, April 8. Belafonte urged Coretta to participate, telling her it would mean a lot to the movement and to the nation if she would come. Coretta knew that there was a chance of violence at the march. Her husband’s death was strong evidence that deep racial hatred still existed in America. In fact, enemies of the civil rights movement had already warned the SCLC that they would disrupt the protest march. SCLC members also worried that the demonstration would be stopped by a federal injunction. Coretta was not afraid. She agreed to go because she believed it was her duty to talk to the people and march with them. She also knew her husband would have wanted it no other way.

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