{"id":289099,"date":"2025-03-03T12:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T12:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=289099"},"modified":"2025-03-03T09:09:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T09:09:41","slug":"peace-disruptions-the-hidden-contexts-of-assassinations-of-robert-f-kennedy-and-martin-luther-king-jr-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2025\/03\/peace-disruptions-the-hidden-contexts-of-assassinations-of-robert-f-kennedy-and-martin-luther-king-jr-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Peace Disruptions:  The Hidden Contexts of Assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Please note that this publication contains graphic images which may be disturbing to some readers.\u00a0 Reader discretion is advised. Parental guidance is recommended for minors, who may use this publication as a project, resource material.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">********************<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u00a0\u201cThe 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century is typified by the global community experiencing unbridled violations of civil rights, especially by the guardians of the so-called free spirit of democracy. This erosion of civil rights is witnessed in freedom of speech rhetoric and religious association, regularly, with no substantive progress in remedying the malady.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_289103\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-AMBASSADOR-HOTEL.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-289103\" class=\"wp-image-289103\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-AMBASSADOR-HOTEL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-AMBASSADOR-HOTEL.jpg 338w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-AMBASSADOR-HOTEL-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-289103\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Senator Robert F Kennedy lying on the floor of the pantry of the hotel where he was shot, shortly after midnight, on\u00a05 Jun 1968, in Los Angeles. He was shot in the head after declaring victory in the California Democratic presidential primary.\u00a0Photo Credit:<br \/>https:\/\/www.bing.com\/search<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>2 Mar 2025 &#8211; <\/em>This publication, first of a 2-part, follows on the statement made by President Donald Trump, subsequent to his inauguration as the 47<sup>th<\/sup> president of the United States that he will release the classified files, on the assassination investigation of two prominent community leaders; The Reverend, Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator, former Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy.\u00a0 While this was a long wait of 58 years for the world to know the government investigation details, the release itself has run into controversy with the Kennedy family requesting that the files be first released to the family and they must be privy to the classified information, prior to its release, globally.\u00a0 Furthermore, the Kennedy family must make the decision to release the files or not, justifiably and rightly so.<\/p>\n<p>The publication delves into the sad assassinations making a contextual analysis of the matter at the time, their commonalities, and the question of a potential governmental agency conspiracy, necessitating the need of a foundation for a deeper exploration of the topic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Martin Luther King Jr.<\/strong>: Assassinated on April 4, 1968, Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Robert F. Kennedy<\/strong>: Assassinated on June 5, 1968, in Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n<p>These assassinations took place against the complex background context of the late 1960s, namely: Civil rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests, and political upheaval. The author proposes that both assassinations share striking commonalities, including timing, motives, and lingering questions about potential conspiracies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commonalities Between the Assassinations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. Timing and Context<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Both assassinations occurred in 1968, a year of profound social and political turmoil in the U.S.<\/li>\n<li>Both men were seen as leaders of progressive change, challenging the status quo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. Motives<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>MLK: Targeted for his leadership in the civil rights movement and opposition to the Vietnam War.<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Targeted as a presidential candidate advocating for racial equality, economic justice, and an end to the Vietnam War.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Impact on the Nation<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Both deaths deepened divisions in American society and marked a turning point in U.S. history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>4. Official Narratives vs. Public Scepticism<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Both assassinations were officially attributed to lone gunmen (James Earl Ray for MLK, Sirhan Sirhan for RFK), but public skepticism about lone gunmen theories persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Questions of Conspiracy<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. CIA Involvement<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Speculation about CIA involvement stems from the agency\u2019s history of covert operations, including surveillance of civil rights leaders and political figures.<\/li>\n<li>MLK: The CIA\u2019s COINTELPRO program targeted civil rights leaders, including MLK, for surveillance and disruption.<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Questions about whether the CIA or other intelligence agencies sought to prevent his election due to his anti-war stance and progressive policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. Inconsistencies in Evidence<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>MLK: Discrepancies in the ballistics evidence and Ray\u2019s claims of being a patsy.<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Questions about the number of shots fired and Sirhan\u2019s ability to fire the fatal shot given his position.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Witness Testimonies and Alternate Theories<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Both cases have witness accounts suggesting multiple shooters or additional conspirators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>4. Government Investigations<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>MLK: The House Select Committee on Assassinations (1979) concluded there was likely a conspiracy.<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Official investigations upheld the lone gunman theory, but independent researchers have challenged this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Avenues Explored in Investigations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. MLK Assassination<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>FBI\u2019s role in surveilling and harassing MLK.<\/li>\n<li>James Earl Ray\u2019s background and possible ties to larger networks.<\/li>\n<li>The role of Memphis police and potential collusion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. RFK Assassination<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Sirhan Sirhan\u2019s motives and psychological state.<\/li>\n<li>The possibility of a second shooter in the Ambassador Hotel pantry.<\/li>\n<li>Connections to anti-RFK factions within the U.S. government or intelligence community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Broader Implications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. Erosion of Trust in Institutions<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Both assassinations contributed to a growing distrust of government and law enforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. Impact on Social Movements<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>The deaths of MLK and RFK dealt significant blows to the civil rights and anti-war movements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Legacy of Conspiracy Theories<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>The unresolved questions surrounding both assassinations have fueled enduring conspiracy theories and shaped public perceptions of U.S. history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>Civil Rights Movement<\/strong>\u00a0in the United States <a href=\"#_edn1\" name=\"_ednref1\">[1]<\/a>was a pivotal struggle for social justice that spanned mainly from the\u00a0<strong>1950s to the 1960s<\/strong>. Its primary goal was to secure equal rights for\u00a0<strong>Black Americans<\/strong>\u00a0under the law. Let\u2019s explore its origins, key events, and significance:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Roots of the Civil Rights Movement<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The movement\u2019s roots trace back to centuries of efforts by enslaved Africans and their descendants to abolish slavery and resist racial oppression.<\/li>\n<li>Despite the abolition of slavery after the\u00a0<strong>Civil War<\/strong><a href=\"#_edn2\" name=\"_ednref2\">[2]<\/a>, discrimination against Black people persisted, especially in the\u00a0<strong>South<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Jim Crow Laws and Segregation<\/strong><a href=\"#_edn3\" name=\"_ednref3\">[3]<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In the late 19th century, the\u00a0<strong>Jim Crow<\/strong>\u00a0laws were established in the South. These laws enforced racial segregation, preventing Black people from using the same facilities as white people.<\/li>\n<li>Black Americans faced discrimination in jobs, housing, education, and voting rights. Even in northern states, they encountered prejudice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>World War II and Executive Order 8802<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn4\" name=\"_ednref4\">[4]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>During World War II, Black Americans worked in low-wage jobs and faced segregation and discrimination.<\/li>\n<li>In response to demands for equal employment rights,\u00a0<strong>President Franklin D. Roosevelt<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"#_edn5\" name=\"_ednref5\">[5]<\/a>issued\u00a0<strong>Executive Order 8802<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0<strong>1941<\/strong>, opening national defence jobs to all Americans, regardless of race.<\/li>\n<li>Black men and women served heroically in the war, despite the challenges they faced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Civil Rights Movement Milestones<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn6\" name=\"_ednref6\">[6]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Brown v. Board of Education<\/strong>\u00a0(1954)<a href=\"#_edn7\" name=\"_ednref7\">[7]<\/a>: The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Montgomery Bus Boycott<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"#_edn8\" name=\"_ednref8\">[8]<\/a>(1955-1956): Rosa Parks\u2019s refusal to give up her bus seat sparked a year-long boycott, leading to desegregation of buses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>March on Washington<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"#_edn9\" name=\"_ednref9\">[9]<\/a>(1963): Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic \u201c<strong>I Have a Dream<\/strong>\u201d <a href=\"#_edn10\" name=\"_ednref10\">[10]<\/a>speech, advocating for equality and justice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Civil Rights Act of 1964<a href=\"#_edn11\" name=\"_ednref11\">[11]<\/a><\/strong>: Banned discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Voting Rights Act of 1965<\/strong><a href=\"#_edn12\" name=\"_ednref12\">[12]<\/a>: Aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for Black Americans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Legacy and Ongoing Struggle<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant victories, but the struggle for equality continues.<\/li>\n<li>It inspired future movements for women\u2019s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Civil Rights Movement Day<\/strong>\u00a0is not an official holiday, but\u00a0<strong>Martin Luther King Jr. Day<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"#_edn13\" name=\"_ednref13\">[13]<\/a>(observed on the third Monday of January) honours Dr. King\u2019s contributions to the movement. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and equality<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_289100\" style=\"width: 424px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/I-HAD-A-DREAM-MLK-1.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-289100\" class=\"size-full wp-image-289100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/I-HAD-A-DREAM-MLK-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"414\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/I-HAD-A-DREAM-MLK-1.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/I-HAD-A-DREAM-MLK-1-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-289100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Martin Luther King Jr. Washington. \u201cI had a dream\u201d<br \/>It was a speech that the world cannot forget. On August 28, 1963, an estimated 250,000 people marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington where they heard Martin Luther King Jr. give a speech destined to resonate through the ages.<br \/>In what became known as the \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech, King gave impassioned voice to the demands of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement \u2014 equal rights for all citizens, regardless of the color of their skin.<br \/>Some historians maintain that King\u2019s speech, delivered at one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in U.S. history, was one of those rare moments that changed a nation \u2014 paving the way for a transformation of American law and life.<br \/>\u201cIt was a very peaceful day. A sea of white as well as black faces enveloped the Mall,\u201d the late Dorothy Height, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), wrote in 2005. Height, one of the march\u2019s organizers, sat behind King on the platform. \u201cI think it was a decisive moment not only in U.S. civil rights history, but also in American history. It resulted in a new determination to move toward equality, freedom and greater employment for people of color.\u201d<br \/>According to Height, \u201cThe real significance of the march, and the speech, was that it changed attitudes. Righteous indignation against racial discrimination became widespread after the march. It led to a time so full of promise and achievement. You could feel it.\u201d<br \/>Less than a year after the march, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which banned discrimination in public facilities, such as hotels and restaurants, and also prohibited employment discrimination. The following year, passage of the Voting Rights Act ensured African Americans could freely exercise their franchise.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>South Africa<\/strong>\u00a0holds the distinction of being one of the\u00a0<strong>first countries<\/strong>\u00a0to officially observe\u00a0<strong>Human Rights Day<\/strong>\u00a0as a\u00a0<strong>public holiday<\/strong>. This significant day commemorates the struggle against apartheid, the sacrifices made by activists, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality for all. South Africa has certainly changed since the end of apartheid and has undergone significant transformations across various aspects of society. Here are\u00a0<strong>ten key changes<\/strong>\u00a0that have occurred:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_289102\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/NEWSPRINT-MLK-1.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-289102\" class=\"wp-image-289102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/NEWSPRINT-MLK-1-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/NEWSPRINT-MLK-1-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/NEWSPRINT-MLK-1.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-289102\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The iconic and fateful newsprint that captures the racism in the United States and oppression of the minority, Blacks. The Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was the victim of such deep seated anti Black sentiments and his spirit of rebellion against the discriminatory laws.<br \/>Photo Credit: Record American<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Ongoing Police Brutality in the United States against people of Colour in the 21<sup>st<\/sup> century<a href=\"#_edn14\" name=\"_ednref14\">[14]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The struggle against racial injustice and police brutality is not unique to South Africa; it has also deeply affected the United States. Here are some notable cases of brutality against Black people in the U.S.:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric Garner (July 2014)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn15\" name=\"_ednref15\">[15]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eric Garner died after being wrestled to the ground by a New York police officer on suspicion of illegally selling cigarettes.<\/li>\n<li>While in a chokehold, Garner repeatedly said, \u201cI can\u2019t breathe.\u201d His death led to widespread protests and calls for justice.<\/li>\n<li>The police officer involved was fired but never prosecuted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Michael Brown (August 2014)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn16\" name=\"_ednref16\">[16]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Michael Brown, an 18-year-old, was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.<\/li>\n<li>The officer, Darren Wilson, shot Brown during an altercation. The incident\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 sparked violent protests and civil unrest.<\/li>\n<li>Although the officer was cleared of wrongdoing, a Department of Justice report highlighted systemic problems in the Ferguson police force.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tamir Rice (November 2014)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn17\" name=\"_ednref17\">[17]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy, was shot dead in Cleveland, Ohio, by a police officer.<\/li>\n<li>The police responded to reports of a male pointing a toy gun at passers-by. Rice was shot seconds after their arrival.<\/li>\n<li>The officer who fired the fatal shots was later fired for lying on his job application, but no federal charges were filed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Walter Scott (April 2015)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn18\" name=\"_ednref18\">[18]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walter Scott was shot in the back five times by a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina.<\/li>\n<li>Scott had been pulled over for a defective car light.\u00a0The officer was eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>George Floyd (May 2020)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn19\" name=\"_ednref19\">[19]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>George Floyd\u2019s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ignited global outrage.<\/li>\n<li>A police officer knelt on Floyd\u2019s neck for over nine minutes, despite his pleas that he couldn\u2019t breathe.<\/li>\n<li>Floyd\u2019s death led to massive protests, renewed calls for police reform, and a focus on systemic racism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ongoing Patterns<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Despite increased awareness and activism, data from\u00a0<strong>2021<\/strong>\u00a0show that Black people are still disproportionately killed by police.<\/li>\n<li>Black people, who make up\u00a0<strong>13%<\/strong>\u00a0of the U.S.\u00a0population, accounted for\u00a0<strong>27%<\/strong>\u00a0of those fatally shot by police officers<a href=\"#_edn20\" name=\"_ednref20\">[20]<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These cases highlight the urgent need for systemic change, accountability, and justice. The fight against racial injustice continues, both in the U.S. and globally.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_289101\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-289101\" class=\"wp-image-289101\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1-1024x693.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1-1024x693.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1-768x519.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MLK-FUNERAL-1.jpg 1165w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-289101\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The funeral of\u00a0 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The family is seen here paying last respects to the great activist.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Spectre of Systemic Racism, Globally<a href=\"#_edn21\" name=\"_ednref21\">[21]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Systemic racism<\/strong>\u00a0is a pervasive and deeply ingrained phenomenon that systematically puts\u00a0<strong>Black people<\/strong>, Indigenous people, and other people of colour at compounded disadvantage within a society. It operates across various domains, including institutions, policies, and individual interactions. A definition and some major historical cases are pertinent:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Definition of Systemic Racism<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Systemic racism<\/strong>\u00a0occurs when racially unequal opportunities and outcomes are\u00a0<strong>inbuilt or intrinsic<\/strong>\u00a0to the operation of a society\u2019s structures.<\/li>\n<li>It refers to the processes and outcomes of\u00a0<strong>racial inequality and inequity<\/strong>\u00a0in life opportunities, treatment, and access to resources.<\/li>\n<li>Systemic racism can operate\u00a0<strong>with or without intention<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>with or without awareness<\/strong>\u00a0but has profound effects on marginalized communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Major Cases of Systemic Racism<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Slavery (17th to 19th Century)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn22\" name=\"_ednref22\">[22]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The transatlantic slave trade forcibly brought millions of Africans to the Americas as slaves.<\/li>\n<li>Slavery was a deeply entrenched system of racial oppression, with Black people subjected to brutal conditions, violence, and dehumanisation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Jim Crow Laws (Late 19th to Mid-20th Century)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn23\" name=\"_ednref23\">[23]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After the abolition of slavery, the\u00a0<strong>Jim Crow laws<\/strong>\u00a0enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.<\/li>\n<li>Black Americans faced discrimination in education, transportation, housing, and voting rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Redlining (20th Century)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn24\" name=\"_ednref24\">[24]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Redlining<\/strong>\u00a0was a discriminatory practice by which banks and government agencies denied loans and services to Black neighbourhoods.<\/li>\n<li>This led to racial segregation, limited economic opportunities, and disinvestment in Black communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Mass Incarceration (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0<strong>War on Drugs<\/strong>\u00a0disproportionately targeted Black communities, resulting in high incarceration rates.<\/li>\n<li>Mandatory minimum sentences and biased policing contributed to systemic racism within the criminal justice system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Educational Disparities (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unequal funding, resource allocation, and discriminatory policies have perpetuated educational disparities.<\/li>\n<li>Black students often attend underfunded schools with fewer opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Healthcare Inequities (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Black Americans face disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>Historical mistreatment, bias, and socioeconomic factors contribute to systemic health inequities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Housing Discrimination (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Racially segregated housing policies persist, limiting Black Americans\u2019 access to safe neighbourhoods and homeownership.<\/li>\n<li>Redlining\u2019s legacy continues to shape housing opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Police Brutality and Racial Profiling (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incidents like the\u00a0<strong>Rodney King beating<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Eric Garner\u2019s death<\/strong>, and the\u00a0<strong>killing of George Floyd<\/strong>\u00a0highlight systemic racism within law enforcement.<\/li>\n<li>Racial profiling and excessive use of force disproportionately affect Black communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Voter Suppression (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historical and contemporary efforts to disenfranchise Black voters persist.<\/li>\n<li>Voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and limited polling locations disproportionately affect Black voters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Economic Disparities (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Black Americans face wage gaps, limited access to capital, and barriers to economic mobility.<\/li>\n<li>Systemic racism perpetuates economic inequality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Environmental Racism (20th Century to Present)<\/strong>:<a href=\"#_edn25\" name=\"_ednref25\">[25]<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Toxic waste sites, pollution, and lack of environmental protections disproportionately affect Black neighbourhoods.<\/li>\n<li>Environmental justice remains a critical issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These cases illustrate how systemic racism has shaped the lives of Black people over centuries, impacting their opportunities, health, education, and overall well-being. Acknowledging and dismantling these systems is essential for achieving true equality and justice.<\/p>\n<p>A question often raised is, was South Africa involved in these assassinations of these anti-apartheid activists? There is <strong>no direct, publicly available evidence<\/strong> linking South Africa\u2019s apartheid government to the assassinations of <strong>Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) or Robert F. Kennedy (RFK)<\/strong>. However, given the apartheid regime\u2019s intelligence operations and its collaborations with Western intelligence agencies, it\u2019s worth exploring potential indirect connections. However, there is the possibility of influence of South Africa in these assassinations, which would have helped South Africa, secondarily.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Possible South African Involvement or Influence<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> South Africa and MLK\u2019s Assassination (1968)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>MLK\u2019s stance on apartheid:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>MLK was a vocal critic of South Africa\u2019s apartheid system.<\/li>\n<li>He publicly condemned apartheid and called for <strong>economic sanctions<\/strong> against South Africa.<\/li>\n<li>He was <strong>planning a visit to South Africa<\/strong> in the mid-1960s, but the apartheid government <strong>denied him a visa<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>South African Intelligence (BOSS) &amp; U.S. Cooperation:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The Bureau of State Security (<strong>BOSS<\/strong>), South Africa\u2019s secret intelligence agency, was closely aligned with <strong>the CIA and FBI<\/strong>, especially under J. Edgar Hoover.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>FBI&#8217;s COINTELPRO program<\/strong> targeted MLK as a national security threat, labeling him a communist sympathizer.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s plausible that South Africa\u2019s intelligence agencies exchanged information with the FBI regarding MLK, as both saw him as a destabilizing figure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The South African government may have benefited from his elimination<\/strong>, as it removed a key global voice against apartheid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> South Africa and RFK\u2019s Assassination (1968)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>RFK\u2019s opposition to apartheid:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>RFK was one of the <strong>most outspoken U.S. politicians against apartheid<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>He <strong>visited South Africa in 1966<\/strong>, delivering his famous <strong>\u201cRipple of Hope\u201d<\/strong> speech in Cape Town, directly challenging apartheid policies.<\/li>\n<li>His visit <strong>inspired the anti-apartheid movement<\/strong> and made him an enemy of the regime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>South Africa\u2019s Links to U.S. Intelligence Agencies:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CIA and apartheid government ties:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The CIA and South African intelligence collaborated on anti-communist operations.<\/li>\n<li>The CIA allegedly played a role in <strong>Nelson Mandela\u2019s 1962 arrest<\/strong>, showing the extent of cooperation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>If <strong>the CIA was involved<\/strong> in RFK\u2019s assassination (as some theories suggest), the South African government may have been aware or tacitly supportive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Palestinian Connection to Sirhan Sirhan:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Sirhan Sirhan, RFK\u2019s assassin, was a Palestinian nationalist angered by RFK\u2019s support for Israel.<\/li>\n<li>South Africa had close ties with Israel at the time (military and nuclear cooperation).<\/li>\n<li>Some conspiracy theories suggest <strong>Sirhan was manipulated<\/strong> (potentially by intelligence agencies), but no evidence links South Africa directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Apartheid Regime\u2019s Broader Role in Global Assassinations<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>South Africa\u2019s <strong>BOSS was involved in international assassinations<\/strong> (e.g., anti-apartheid activists abroad).<\/li>\n<li>It worked with <strong>CIA, MI6, and Mossad<\/strong> in Cold War intelligence-sharing.<\/li>\n<li>If the <strong>CIA or FBI had a role in MLK or RFK\u2019s assassinations<\/strong>, South African intelligence <strong>may have had knowledge or offered assistance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While there is no <strong>direct evidence<\/strong> linking South Africa\u2019s apartheid government to MLK or RFK\u2019s assassinations, the <strong>apartheid regime benefited from both deaths<\/strong> and had strong ties with <strong>Western intelligence agencies<\/strong>. Given the <strong>covert nature of intelligence operations<\/strong>, a <strong>classified role cannot be ruled out<\/strong>. The regime\u2019s history of targeting political opponents, both at home and abroad, suggests at least a potential <strong>interest or tacit support<\/strong> in neutralizing figures like MLK and RFK.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bottom Line in Erosion of Civil Rights<a href=\"#_edn26\" name=\"_ednref26\">[26]<\/a>,<a href=\"#_edn27\" name=\"_ednref27\">[27]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To examine and appreciate the essence of Civil Rights and its impact on sectors of marginalized citizenry, by overt or covert government discrimination as it was legislated in the pre-liberation 1994, in South Africa and presently in Palestine, by Zionist occupying forces, which no country apart from South Africa has raised the matter officially in the International Court of Justice on 29<sup>th<\/sup> December 2023, much to the dismay of the United States as well as some European countries. In fact United States, under the Biden Administration is complicit in the genocide of Palestinians and crimes against humanity, by aiding and supporting the Zionist state of Israel., in its War On Gaza. leading to the ruthless annihilation of over 47,540 Palestinians since the 07<sup>th<\/sup> October 2023.<a href=\"#_edn28\" name=\"_ednref28\">[28]<\/a>, <a href=\"#_edn29\" name=\"_ednref29\">[29]<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In summary:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Date and Location:<\/strong> April 4, 1968, Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee<\/li>\n<li><strong>Official Narrative:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Shot by a sniper (single bullet)<\/li>\n<li><strong>James Earl Ray<\/strong> arrested and convicted<\/li>\n<li>Pleaded guilty but later recanted, claiming he was set up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Controversies &amp; Conspiracy Theories:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Allegations of FBI and CIA involvement<\/li>\n<li><strong>King family skepticism:<\/strong> Civil trial (1999) found evidence of a conspiracy<\/li>\n<li>Possible government surveillance (COINTELPRO)<\/li>\n<li>Involvement of organized crime or military intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Date and Location:<\/strong> June 5, 1968, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California<\/li>\n<li><strong>Official Narrative:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Shot multiple times in a hotel kitchen after a speech<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sirhan Sirhan<\/strong>, a Palestinian immigrant, arrested and convicted<\/li>\n<li>Claimed amnesia regarding the event<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Controversies &amp; Conspiracy Theories:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Multiple gunmen theory (forensic inconsistencies)<\/li>\n<li>CIA involvement (possible links to <strong>MKUltra mind control<\/strong> experiments on Sirhan)<\/li>\n<li>RFK\u2019s opposition to the Vietnam War and potential presidency as a motive for elimination<\/li>\n<li>Witnesses and forensic evidence contradicting the lone-gunman theory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong> Commonalities Between the Assassinations<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Both were influential progressive leaders:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>MLK: Civil Rights, Anti-Vietnam War<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Anti-war, pro-civil rights, and anti-establishment politics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Both were under government surveillance:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>FBI\u2019s COINTELPRO targeted MLK (wiretaps, blackmail, psychological warfare)<\/li>\n<li>RFK&#8217;s history with the CIA (as Attorney General) and his opposition to the agency\u2019s covert operations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Both assassinations had disputed official narratives:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Lone gunmen theories with counter-evidence pointing to broader conspiracies<\/li>\n<li>Eyewitness contradictions, forensic inconsistencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Both were assassinated in 1968, a year of major political upheaval in the U.S.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong> CIA Involvement \u2013 Explored Theories<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>COINTELPRO &amp; MLK:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>FBI saw MLK as a radical threat<\/li>\n<li>Hoover&#8217;s FBI sought to &#8220;neutralize&#8221; King<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>CIA &amp; RFK:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Possible connections between Sirhan Sirhan and MKUltra (hypnotic programming theories)<\/li>\n<li>RFK\u2019s knowledge of CIA covert operations and potential threats to agency power<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Overlap with Organized Crime &amp; Intelligence Agencies:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Both figures were seen as threats to the establishment<\/li>\n<li>Possible deep-state involvement, including rogue elements in intelligence agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><strong> Investigations and Legal Challenges<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>MLK: <strong>1999 Civil Trial<\/strong> concluded U.S. government involvement in King\u2019s assassination<\/li>\n<li>RFK: Calls for <strong>reinvestigation<\/strong> due to forensic anomalies and witness accounts<\/li>\n<li>FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests revealing previously classified documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><strong> Conclusion<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Ongoing debates over the official narratives<\/li>\n<li>The lasting impact of their deaths on American politics<\/li>\n<li>The need for further investigation and historical transparency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_289104\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-FUNERAL-1.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-289104\" class=\"wp-image-289104 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-FUNERAL-1-300x295.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-FUNERAL-1-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-FUNERAL-1-768x756.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/RFK-FUNERAL-1.jpg 936w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-289104\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Attorney General and subsequent Senator Robert Kennedy, brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, was killed on June 5th,1968,\u00a0 after winning the Democratic primary for the presidency in California. Kennedy was killed by a lone gunman, Sirhan Sirhan, in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel, in Los Angeles. As he left through the hotel kitchen Sirhan Sirhan and 24-year-old Palestinian shot Kennedy three times. Kennedy died in the hospital the next morning. He was 42 years old. <br \/>Photo Credit: https:\/\/www.historycentral.com\/sixty\/60\/rfk.jpg<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Key Questions which need further exploration when the classified files are released <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What evidence supports or refutes the lone gunman theories in both cases?<\/li>\n<li>How did the CIA\u2019s activities during the Cold War era influence public perceptions of these assassinations?<\/li>\n<li>What role did media coverage play in shaping the narratives around these events?<\/li>\n<li>How will subsequent investigations and declassified documents alter our understanding of these assassinations? This will be presented in Part 2 of this publication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>References:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref1\" name=\"_edn1\">[1]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/humanities\/us-history\/postwarera\/civil-rights-movement\/a\/introduction-to-the-civil-rights-movement#:~:text=Overview,period%20from%201946%20to%201968\" >https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/humanities\/us-history\/postwarera\/civil-rights-movement\/a\/introduction-to-the-civil-rights-movement#:~:text=Overview,period%20from%201946%20to%201968<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref2\" name=\"_edn2\">[2]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/slavery-abolished#:~:text=On%20December%2018%2C%201865%2C%20the,people%2C%20from%20Kentucky%20to%20Delaware\" >https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/slavery-abolished#:~:text=On%20December%2018%2C%201865%2C%20the,people%2C%20from%20Kentucky%20to%20Delaware<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref3\" name=\"_edn3\">[3]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jim_Crow_laws#:~:text=Such%20continuing%20racial%20segregation%20was,others%2C%20beginning%20in%20the%201870s\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jim_Crow_laws#:~:text=Such%20continuing%20racial%20segregation%20was,others%2C%20beginning%20in%20the%201870s<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref4\" name=\"_edn4\">[4]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/milestone-documents\/executive-order-8802#:~:text=In%20June%20of%201941%2C%20President,engaged%20in%20war%2Drelated%20work\" >https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/milestone-documents\/executive-order-8802#:~:text=In%20June%20of%201941%2C%20President,engaged%20in%20war%2Drelated%20work<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref5\" name=\"_edn5\">[5]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/about-the-white-house\/presidents\/franklin-d-roosevelt\/\" >https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/about-the-white-house\/presidents\/franklin-d-roosevelt\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref6\" name=\"_edn6\">[6]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wgbh\/americanexperience\/features\/eyesontheprize-milestones-civil-rights-movement\/\" >https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wgbh\/americanexperience\/features\/eyesontheprize-milestones-civil-rights-movement\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref7\" name=\"_edn7\">[7]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/milestone-documents\/brown-v-board-of-education#:~:text=On%20May%2017%2C%201954%2C%20U.S.,amendment%20and%20was%20therefore%20unconstitutional\" >https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/milestone-documents\/brown-v-board-of-education#:~:text=On%20May%2017%2C%201954%2C%20U.S.,amendment%20and%20was%20therefore%20unconstitutional<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref8\" name=\"_edn8\">[8]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/kinginstitute.stanford.edu\/montgomery-bus-boycott\" >https:\/\/kinginstitute.stanford.edu\/montgomery-bus-boycott<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref9\" name=\"_edn9\">[9]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/March-on-Washington#:~:text=March%20on%20Washington%2C%20political%20demonstration,that%20was%20pending%20in%20Congress\" >https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/March-on-Washington#:~:text=March%20on%20Washington%2C%20political%20demonstration,that%20was%20pending%20in%20Congress<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref10\" name=\"_edn10\">[10]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanrhetoric.com\/speeches\/mlkihaveadream.htm\" >https:\/\/www.americanrhetoric.com\/speeches\/mlkihaveadream.htm<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref11\" name=\"_edn11\">[11]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/oasam\/civil-rights-center\/statutes\/civil-rights-act-of-1964#:~:text=In%201964%2C%20Congress%20passed%20Public,hiring%2C%20promoting%2C%20and%20firing\" >https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/oasam\/civil-rights-center\/statutes\/civil-rights-act-of-1964#:~:text=In%201964%2C%20Congress%20passed%20Public,hiring%2C%20promoting%2C%20and%20firing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref12\" name=\"_edn12\">[12]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Voting_Rights_Act_of_1965#:~:text=The%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20of,law%20by%20President%20Lyndon%20B\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Voting_Rights_Act_of_1965#:~:text=The%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20of,law%20by%20President%20Lyndon%20B<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref13\" name=\"_edn13\">[13]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parents.com\/holiday\/martin-luther-king-jr-day-primer\/#:~:text=by%20Karen%20Cilli-,Martin%20Luther%20King%20Jr.,holiday%20devoted%20to%20one%20man\" >https:\/\/www.parents.com\/holiday\/martin-luther-king-jr-day-primer\/#:~:text=by%20Karen%20Cilli-,Martin%20Luther%20King%20Jr.,holiday%20devoted%20to%20one%20man<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref14\" name=\"_edn14\">[14]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7331505\/#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%20996,population%20as%20of%20June%202020.%E2%80%9D\" >https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7331505\/#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%20996,population%20as%20of%20June%202020.%E2%80%9D<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref15\" name=\"_edn15\">[15]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Eric_Garner#:~:text=On%20July%2017%2C%202014%2C%20Eric,prohibited%20chokehold%20while%20arresting%20him\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Eric_Garner#:~:text=On%20July%2017%2C%202014%2C%20Eric,prohibited%20chokehold%20while%20arresting%20him<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref16\" name=\"_edn16\">[16]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Michael_Brown\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Michael_Brown<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref17\" name=\"_edn17\">[17]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandralaw.com\/files\/blog\/Rice-Wobrock-Preliminary-Repor.pdf\" >https:\/\/www.chandralaw.com\/files\/blog\/Rice-Wobrock-Preliminary-Repor.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref18\" name=\"_edn18\">[18]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Walter_Scott\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Killing_of_Walter_Scott<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref19\" name=\"_edn19\">[19]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/05\/29\/us\/minneapolis-george-floyd-friday\/index.html\" >https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/05\/29\/us\/minneapolis-george-floyd-friday\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref20\" name=\"_edn20\">[20]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6080222\/\" >https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6080222\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref21\" name=\"_edn21\">[21]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/hardcover\/9780691177137\/the-spectre-of-race\" >https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/hardcover\/9780691177137\/the-spectre-of-race<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref22\" name=\"_edn22\">[22]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/education\/resources\/slavery\/#:~:text=As%20European%20settlement%20grew%2C%20so,the%20mid%2D17th%20century%20onwards\" >https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/education\/resources\/slavery\/#:~:text=As%20European%20settlement%20grew%2C%20so,the%20mid%2D17th%20century%20onwards<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref23\" name=\"_edn23\">[23]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/early-20th-century-us\/jim-crow-laws\" >https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/early-20th-century-us\/jim-crow-laws<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref24\" name=\"_edn24\">[24]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalreservehistory.org\/essays\/redlining#:~:text=The%20FHA%20began%20redlining%20at,20%2Dyear%20loans%20they%20were\" >https:\/\/www.federalreservehistory.org\/essays\/redlining#:~:text=The%20FHA%20began%20redlining%20at,20%2Dyear%20loans%20they%20were<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref25\" name=\"_edn25\">[25]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Environmental_racism#:~:text=edit%5D-,Environmental%20racism%20is%20a%20form%20of%20institutional%20racism%2C%20which%20has,and%20oil%20or%20gas%20extraction\" >https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Environmental_racism#:~:text=edit%5D-,Environmental%20racism%20is%20a%20form%20of%20institutional%20racism%2C%20which%20has,and%20oil%20or%20gas%20extraction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref26\" name=\"_edn26\">[26]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2017\/03\/08\/erosion-human-rights-protection-systems\" >https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2017\/03\/08\/erosion-human-rights-protection-systems<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref27\" name=\"_edn27\">[27]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2021\/06\/endogenous-racism-against-people-of-african-origins-tulsa-and-sharpeville-parallels-in-history-part-2\/\" >https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2021\/06\/endogenous-racism-against-people-of-african-origins-tulsa-and-sharpeville-parallels-in-history-part-2\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ednref28\" name=\"_edn28\">[28]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/ck\/a?!&amp;&amp;p=5a3afc4f2745254eac1461f1ddb75fb7bc610b9a8c130a5f3cc1193f761a0051JmltdHM9MTc0MDc4NzIwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=19bf7366-9926-65b9-0269-601d982664b6&amp;psq=how+many+palestinian+have+been+killled+since+oct+7+2023&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3RhdGlzdGEuY29tL3N0YXRpc3RpY3MvMTQyMjMwOC9wYWxlc3Rpbmlhbi10ZXJyaXRvcmllcy1pc3JhZWwtbnVtYmVyLWZhdGFsaXRpZXMtYW5kLWluanVyaWVzLWNhdXNlZC1ieS10aGUtaXNyYWVsLWFuZC1oYW1hcy13YXIvIzp-OnRleHQ9U2luY2UlMjB0aGUlMjB0ZXJyb3Jpc3QlMjBvcmdhbml6YXRpb24lMjBIYW1hcyUyMGxhdW5jaGVkJTIwaXRzJTIwYXR0YWNrcyw0NyUyQzU0MCUyMFBhbGVzdGluaWFucyUyMHdlcmUlMjBraWxsZWQlMkMlMjBhbmQlMjAxMTElMkM2MTglMjB3ZXJlJTIwaW5qdXJlZC4&amp;ntb=1\" >https:\/\/www.bing.com\/ck\/a?!&amp;&amp;p=5a3afc4f2745254eac1461f1ddb75fb7bc610b9a8c130a5f3cc1193f761a0051JmltdHM9MTc0MDc4NzIwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=19bf7366-9926-65b9-0269-601d982664b6&amp;psq=how+many+palestinian+have+been+killled+since+oct+7+2023&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3RhdGlzdGEuY29tL3N0YXRpc3RpY3MvMTQyMjMwOC9wYWxlc3Rpbmlhbi10ZXJyaXRvcmllcy1pc3JhZWwtbnVtYmVyLWZhdGFsaXRpZXMtYW5kLWluanVyaWVzLWNhdXNlZC1ieS10aGUtaXNyYWVsLWFuZC1oYW1hcy13YXIvIzp-OnRleHQ9U2luY2UlMjB0aGUlMjB0ZXJyb3Jpc3QlMjBvcmdhbml6YXRpb24lMjBIYW1hcyUyMGxhdW5jaGVkJTIwaXRzJTIwYXR0YWNrcyw0NyUyQzU0MCUyMFBhbGVzdGluaWFucyUyMHdlcmUlMjBraWxsZWQlMkMlMjBhbmQlMjAxMTElMkM2MTglMjB3ZXJlJTIwaW5qdXJlZC4&amp;ntb=1<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref29\" name=\"_edn29\">[29]<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2023\/05\/peace-disruption-part-1-palestines-killing-fields-ignominious-beginnings\/\" >https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2023\/05\/peace-disruption-part-1-palestines-killing-fields-ignominious-beginnings\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>______________________________________________<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Hoosen-Vawda-e1618716350456.jpeg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-183185\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Hoosen-Vawda-e1618716350456.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" \/><\/a>Professor G. Hoosen M. Vawda (Bsc; MBChB; PhD.Wits) is a member of the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/\" ><em>TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment<\/em><\/a><em>.<br \/>\n<strong>Director<\/strong>: Glastonbury Medical Research Centre; Community Health and Indigent Programme Services; Body Donor Foundation SA.<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Principal Investigator<\/em><\/strong><em>: Multinational Clinical Trials<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Consultant<\/em><\/strong><em>: Medical and General Research Ethics; Internal Medicine and Clinical Psychiatry:UKZN, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Executive Member<\/em><\/strong><em>: Inter Religious Council KZN SA<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Public Liaison<\/em><\/strong><em>: Medical Misadventures<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Activism<\/em><\/strong><em>: Justice for All<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>Email<\/em><\/strong><em>: <\/em><a href=\"mailto:vawda@ukzn.ac.za\"><em>vawda@ukzn.ac.za<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0\u201cThe 21st Century is typified by the global community experiencing unbridled violations of civil rights, especially by the guardians of the so-called free spirit of democracy. This erosion of civil rights is witnessed in freedom of speech rhetoric and religious association, regularly, with no substantive progress in remedying the malady.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":183185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[260,2343,1780,1929,70],"class_list":["post-289099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transcend-members","tag-history","tag-john-f-kennedy","tag-martin-luther-king","tag-robert-f-kennedy-jr","tag-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=289099"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":289106,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289099\/revisions\/289106"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=289099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=289099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}