MLK, Jr.'s assassination

Martin Luther King Jr. & Andy Young, 1966 Montgomery AL airport. Martin Luther King Jr. extremely weary and smoking. (Stanford, Bob Fitch: Fair Use)

Have you ever wondered why Martin Luther King, Jr. was standing on the balcony when he was assassinated? King was a peaceful reformer, and this great man actively fought for civil rights by staging dozens of peaceful protests and giving dozens of speeches.

However, what most people don't know is that he was a chain smoker, often smoking more than a pack a day. King kept this habit from most of his family, children, and media as he didn't want his children to follow his example. King's wife, Coretta hated the habit and often checked his pockets when he got home to see if he was carrying any cigarettes. MLK's solution- have his driver hold his cigarettes so his wife wouldn't find them. The reason King was on the balcony when he got shot was because he was smoking, and his friend removed the pack off his body before the police and media arrived. Very few photos exist showing King smoking, however, multiple close sources have verified the fact. (Including the above photographic evidence)

We don’t share this post as a way to be divisive. Martin Luther King, Jr. made great advancements during the Civil Rights Era. He is the reason many laws are in place. He was a great reformer and great man to those around him. This post is merely to show a side of him you may not have known. It is in no way trying to belittle the life or work of Dr. King and we hope our followers will read it in the light it is given. His accomplishments have made him a respected hero across the nation and many are grateful for all he did.



Written by Josh Yohe

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