Martin Luther King III, the son of the late civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., along with his wife Andrea Waters King, have called on Kenyans to practice peaceful methods during protests.
The couple emphasized the importance of non-violent demonstrations in upholding justice and fostering positive change.
Their appeal comes in the wake of escalating anti-finance bill protests that began on June 18, which have since resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
The King’s family sent a plea to Kenyans urging them to return to the principles of peaceful demonstrations and harness its profound power.
Speaking on the same note, Andrea, called on Kenyan citizens as well as the authorities to incorporate the power of holding non-violent protests.
“As Kenyans take to the streets to make your voices heard in protests, we implore you to remember the profound power of non-violent protests, none-violence is not merely a tactic it is a profound expression of moral courage,” she said.
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Consequently, Martin quoted his father saying, “Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and nobles the man who wields it.”
Andrea expressed remorse for the lives lost during the protests, the violence and burning of parliament building, further imploring the protesters and security forces to practice non-violent tactics.
Martin Luther King Jr. Tactics for Peaceful Protests
Martin recalled the non-violent tactics used by his father during the passing of the civil right act of 1964.
The civil right act law ended the legal separation of people by race in public places. The act also banned job discrimination based on race, color, religion and national origin.
“The greatest legislative strides my dad and his team were able to make such as the passing of the civil right act were realized through non-violent tactics,” martin shared.
In addition, Andrea also quoted one of her late stepfather’s famous quotes saying, “In the non-violent struggle, there is room for everyone. There is no distinction of color, no requirement other than a steadfast commitment to justice, courage and love.”
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She added that the protests should be carried out in testament of Kenya’s dignity and discipline.
Martin Luther King’s son further encouraged Kenyans and the security forces to show the world their voices whilst not in anger but in a harmonious call of justice.
“Dad said, at the center of non-violence, stands the principle of love. Love for your country, love for your fellow citizens and love for a future where justice prevails,” Martin and Andrea King voiced, recalling Martin Luther King’s words.
The couple ended with a notion to Kenyans to protest with love in their hearts.
“We will continue to strengthen the quest for love and promote a more just society envisioned by my parents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King,” Martin advocated.
Anti-Finance Bill Protests
Kenyans took to the streets in demonstrations led by Generation Z protesting the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
The protests which began on June 18, 2024, and spread across the weeks led to destruction and even loss of lives after protesters invaded parliament building, setting a section on fire forcing MPs who passed the bill to flee for safety.
In the fracas, several youth were shot dead.
However, President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 26 withdrew the bill. But, despite the withdrawal of the Finance bill, Kenyans youth have vowed to still hold protests in various parts of the country, citing that the issue at hand was no longer the finance bill but the rejection of President William Ruto’s administration as a whole.
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