Similar to Henry David Thoreau, Martin Luther King Jr. was a firm believer in nonviolence. While protesting against the treatment of the black population, MLK was arrested and sent to the Birmingham Jail. After he was released he wrote a famous letter in regards to those who did not agree with his nonviolent protests. He is even passive in his letter by acknowledging the people's "genuine goodwill" and understanding their side and concern. Ultimately, the letter discusses the injustice and immorality occurring in Birmingham and in the world itself. He agrees that civil disobedience is a patriotic response to these situations and like many early Christians, MLK believes he must take the call to action.
I believe MLK Jr. read "Civil Disobedience" and most likely other works of Thoreau. MLK was very educated and knowledgeable about what he was speaking and protesting against. Therefore, it is very likely that he read "Civil Disobedience" and that gave him inspiration to rebel against the white man but keep things civil and nonviolent. Thoreau had a lot of similar ideas in that he believed to oppose and stand up against immorality and especially the corruption of the government. He did so by refusing to pay taxes, and MLK rebelled with peaceful protests. Ultimately, I believe MLK followed in Thoreau's footsteps by standing against the oppression brought by the government and the white population and following through with nonviolence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRIrqiwkdYs
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