USA: Files on the murder of Martin Luther King released
The Trump administration has unveiled over 230,000 pages of previously classified documents related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King. This move comes despite objections from the family of the renowned civil and political rights leader for African-Americans.
On January 23, the former Republican president signed an executive order to declassify thousands of government documents pertaining to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, his brother Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King in 1968.
In March, the National Archives made public previously classified documents about President Kennedy’s assassination, an event that shocked the US and the world, giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories.
Similarly, in April, classified documents relating to the murder of Bobby Kennedy, father of Robert Kennedy Jr., the Health Secretary in the Trump administration, and Attorney General to the assassinated Democratic president, were also released.
The bulk of the 230,000 pages of records released on Monday are drawn from the FBI investigation into Martin Luther King’s alleged assassin’s overseas travels, including the testimony of a fellow inmate, as stated by US intelligence coordinator (DNI), Talsi Gabbard.
Gabbard emphasized that the current US administration is committed to ensuring full transparency regarding this tragic and pivotal chapter in the nation’s history.
Martin Luther King: His Children’s Concern Over Document Misuse
However, the children of the iconic civil rights activist have expressed concern that these documents could be used to tarnish their father’s legacy and undermine the accomplishments of the movement he led. In a joint statement, they reminded the public of the disinformation and surveillance campaign against Dr. King, orchestrated by then-FBI Director J Edgar Hoover, aimed at damaging his reputation and discrediting the civil rights movement.
They also reiterated their longstanding disbelief in the guilt of James Earl Ray, a white segregationist, who was convicted for the murder of Dr. King on April 4, 1968, at a motel in Memphis, where King was supporting striking garbage collection workers. James Earl Ray passed away in prison in 1998.
