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MLK Jr. on Civil Disobedience in “Why We Can’t Wait”

“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that ‘an unjust law is no law at all.'” p.93

“An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself. This is difference made legal … A just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself. This is sameness made legal.” p.94

“One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.” p.95

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