I stand here struggling for the rights of my people to be full citizens in this country. They are not-in Mississippi. They are not-in Montgomery. That is why I am here today. . . . You want to shut up every colored person who wants to fight for the rights of his people!.

You want to shut up every Negro who has the courage to stand up and fight for the rights of his people, for the rights of workers, and I have been on many a picket line for the steelworkers too.

I am being tried for fighting for the right of my people, who are still second-class citizens in this United States of America.

Freedom is a hard-bought thing and millions are in chains, but they strain toward the new day drawing near.

My future depends mostly upon myself.

As Americans, preserving the best of our traditions, we have the right- nay the duty-to fight for participation in the forward march of humanity

The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic but to end the injustice.