17/01/2022
Today many people will be celebrating Martin Luther King day around the world.
As a UK based organisation with strong ties to the US, both from a business and personal perspective (two Verbatim Pharma members are both dual UK/ US citizens), we wanted to highlight the importance of this day to our UK/ EU contacts, who may not be as aware of it’s significance, particularly in the US.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr became one of the most influential speakers and leaders during the Civil Rights movement in the US. He worked hard to end racial segregation on public transport, schools and workplaces.
His commitment to standing up against racism and inequality was so great that he was willing to put his own life at risk, campaigning tirelessly towards this. He participated in and led marches for African Americans’ basic human rights, as well as rights to vote, desegregation and labor rights.
His peaceful struggle against racial discrimination garnered national attention in 1955 when he led a boycott protesting segregation on buses. He was jailed and physically attacked for his vocalness on the issue, and his house was even bombed. He continued to receive threats on his and his family's lives throughout this ordeal. King was sent to jail 29 times but never faltered in his mission to stand up for what was right and fair.
It wasn't until 1956 that the Supreme Court deemed such segregationist laws unconstitutional.
In 1963, King delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech to a crowd of over 250,000 on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
In October 1964, he became the youngest man, at age 35, to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to achieving racial equality.
He was sadly assassinated on April 4th, 1968, to which activists led the charge in making his birthday a national holiday to honour him.
We commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr for his achievements and commitment to equality and human rights!