There is now ample information available in the public space that speaks to the maniacal zeal in which the FBI investigated Martin Luther King Jr's activities as a civil rights leader in the 60's. A steady stream of information is now being released that gives a clearer picture of the tactics deployed by the FBI to discredit MLK and the ethical guideposts that prevailed at the "Bureau" at the time.
Considering that no laws were found to have been violated by MLK, the tactics used to try to destroy his character and to limit his influence seemed disproportionate and a violation of his constitutional rights, not the least of which was the apparent infliction of “cruel and unusual punishment" outside the criminal-justice system. In a report (SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILED STAFF REPORTS ON INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND THE RIGHTS OF AMERICANS) published in 1976, William Sullivan, Head of Domestic Intelligence at the time, testified:
No holds were barred. We have used (similar) techniques against Soviet agents. (The same methods were) brought home against any organization against which we were targeted. We did not differentiate. This is rough, tough business.
We spent the day pouring through much of the information available on the world wide web and decided to prepare a report and publish it on April 4, 2011 - the anniversary of his assassination. We believe that his work in the area of civil rights is something that we have inherited. So, on the day that commemorates his birthday, we salute the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for his courage, passion and his work to advance the rights of all Americans. His work endures and must continue.
