Violence
Because of his stance as a negotiator, Gaston often faced challenges by proponents from both sides of the civil rights issue.
On May 12, 1963, unknown persons attempted to blow up the part of the Gaston motel where King and Abernathy were staying. Later that day, Alabama State Police dispatched to clear Kelly Ingram Park invaded the motel, clubbing those who could not escape. Unidentified persons later threw firebombs at Gaston's house, a day after he and his wife had attended a state dinner at the White House with President John F. Kennedy.
Gaston remained disaffected from Dr. King, urging him to stay away, in a statement released in September, 1963, after Dr. King announced plans to return to Birmingham to resume demonstrations. As it turns out, Dr. King did revive the campaign.
On the night of January 24, 1976, Gaston and his wife were attacked and beaten by an intruder and Gaston was abducted in his own car; police officers found him two hours later, bound in the back seat of the car.
Read more about this topic: A. G. Gaston
Famous quotes containing the word violence:
“If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.”
—Malcolm X (1925–1965)
“A man who lives with nature is used to violence and is companionable with death. There is more violence in an English hedgerow than in the meanest streets of a great city.”
—P.D. (Phyllis Dorothy)
“Fortune blinds men when she does not wish them to withstand the violence of her onslaughts.”
—Titus Livius (Livy)