Lot 229

MLK on "need of Negro groups to come out with a strong cry of justice for the Indian"

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MLK on "need of Negro groups to come out with a strong cry of justice for the Indian"

Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000

Current Bid: $4,000

(2 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Atlanta, GA, April 27, 1964
MLK on "need of Negro groups to come out with a strong cry of justice for the Indian"
TLS

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968). Typed letter signed, "Martin L King Jr," 1p, on Southern Christian Leadership Conference letterhead, 8.5" x 11", Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 1964. To Clifton M. Weihe, and with a copy of Weihe's letter to King. Docketing at lower left recto. Expected transmittal folds and creases. A tiny bit of separation at edges of folds. Even block of toning and scattered foxing. In very near fine condition and boldly signed.

On "Easter, 1964," Rev. Clifton M. Weihe wrote a letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with his thoughts on "justice for the Indian." Drawing on his own experience with discrimination and his work in church social missions, he urges collaboration and advocacy to address Native American needs, while acknowledging the complexity of the issue. His "Easter Day message" is a suggestion that "one or more Negro groups...come out with a cry for justice for the Indian...to meet their most crying needs" such as "education in some places" and "a 'ramp' from reservation to the city in others." Weihe concludes his letter on a more personal level, as he discloses that he is "the son of German-speaking parents" and "after World War I" he felt the prejudices of those "who selected us as 'targets' for calumny just because of our ancestry..."

As president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King returns a brief, polite reply to Weihe with appreciation for his concern and outreach.

In full:

"This is to acknowledge receipt of your very kind letter of recent date. I think your suggestion for need of Negro groups to come out with a strong cry for justice for the Indian is timely indeed. Such a move would be creative democracy, morally sound and strategically wise.

I will be keeping your suggestion in mind and I will also be very happy to talk to some of the other Negro leaders about it. Thank you very much for writing and we are deeply grateful to you for your concern."

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vocal supporter of Native American rights, viewing the struggles of Black and Indigenous communities as interconnected against a common history of racism and oppression. He actively supported broader indigenous rights, including tribal sovereignty, land protection, and economic justice. The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed in July 1964, provided a shared legal basis for fighting discrimination for both groups in public accommodations and employment.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: TLS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000