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:
“Men are rewarded for learning the practice of violence in virtually any sphere of activity by money, admiration, recognition, respect, and the genuflection of others honoring their sacred and proven masculinity. In male culture, police are heroic and so are outlaws; males who enforce standards are heroic and so are those who violate them.”
—Andrea Dworkin (b. 1946)
“Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)