at Hamford Primary Academy
Lower Key Stage Two
Luther King Class
Our Class is named after the famous American civil right campaigner, Martin Luther King Jr, who was famous for the pivotal role he played in ending legal segregation of African-American citizens.
In his first major civil rights action, Martin Luther King Jr. led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This started when Rosa Parks refused to move to give up her seat on a bus to a white man (for more information on Rosa Parks, see Class Parks information page). As a result, Martin led a boycott of the public transportation system. The boycott lasted for over a year. Martin was arrested and his house was bombed, but in the end he prevailed and segregation on the Montgomery buses ended.
In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to organise the famous March on Washington. Over 250,000 people attended this march in an effort to show the importance of civil rights legislation. Some of the issues the march hoped to accomplish included an end to segregation in public schools, protection from police abuse, and to get laws preventing discrimination in employment. It was at this march where Martin gave his "I have a Dream" speech. This speech has become one of the most famous speeches in history. The march and Martin's speech were a success. The Civil Rights Act was passed a year later in 1964.
Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 in recognition of his great work. Unfortunately he was assassinated in April 1968 but continues to be remembered as one of the most influential leaders in American history.
So it is easy to see why we choose to name our class after this great man!
Mrs. Cains, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Clarke
