Despite Accounts Otherwise George Romney did March with Martin Luther King Jr.
Despite rampant reports around the internet saying otherwise, Governor George Romney of Michigan did March with Martin Luther King Jr. His record on Civil Rights is impeccable. Here’s the facts:
GOV. GEORGE ROMNEY AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
FACT: In The Summer Of 1963, Governor Romney Participated In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Freedom Marches” In Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
In 1963, George Romney Gave The Keynote Address At The Conference That Sparked The Martin Luther King “Freedom Marches” In Detroit. “The establishment of these human relations groups came in the wake of several major events (besides the embarrassing racist practices of such suburbs as Dearborn), which took place in 1963 and helped galvanize interracial support and cooperation for integrated housing. The first event was the Metropolitan Conference on Open Occupancy held in Detroit in January 1963. The second event was the Martin Luther King ‘Freedom’ March in June of the same year, the spinoffs of which were several Detroit NAACP-sponsored interracial marches into Detroit suburbs to dramatize the need for black housing. … Governor George Romney gave the keynote speech at this conference, in which he pledged to use the power of the state to achieve housing equality in Michigan.” (Joe T. Darden, Detroit, Race And Uneven Development, 1987, p. 132)
Governor Romney Marched In July 1963 In An NAACP-Sponsored March Through Grosse Pointe. “The next couple of NAACP marches into the suburbs were more pleasant. Both Grosse Pointe and Royal Oak Township welcomed the interracial marchers. Close to 500 black and white marchers, including many Grosse Pointers, marched in ‘the Pointes’ that July. Governor George Romney made a surprise appearance in his shirt sleeves and joined the parade leaders.” (Joe T. Darden, Detroit, Race And Uneven Development, 1987, p. 132)
- Detroit Free Press: “With Gov. Romney a surprise arrival and marching in the front row, more than 500 Negroes and whites staged a peaceful anti-discrimination parade up Grosse Pointe’s Kercheval Avenue Saturday. … ‘the elimination of human inequalities and injustices is our urgent and critical domestic problem,’ the governor said. … [Detroit NAACP President Edward M.] Turner told reporters, ‘I think it is very significant that Governor Romney is here. We are very surprised.’ Romney said, ‘If they want me to lead the parade, I’ll be glad to.’” (”Romney Joins Protest March Of 500 In Grosse Pointe,” Detroit Free Press, 6/29/63)
- In Their 1967 Book, Stephen Hess And David Broder Wrote That George Romney “Marched With Martin Luther King Through The Exclusive Grosse Point Suburb Of Detroit.” “He has marched with Martin Luther King through the exclusive Grosse Pointe suburb of Detroit and he is on record in support of full-coverage Federal open-housing legislation.” (Stephen Hess And David Broder, The Republican Establishment: The Present And Future Of The G.O.P., 1967, p. 107)
FACT: As Governor Of Michigan, George Romney Fought For Civil Rights And Marched In Support Of Martin Luther King Jr.
George Romney Was A Strong Proponent Of Civil Rights And Created Michigan’s First Civil Rights Commission. “The governor’s record was one of supporting civil rights. He helped create the state’s first civil rights commission and marched at the head of a protest parade in Detroit days after violence against civil rights marchers in Selma, Ala., in 1965.” (Todd Sprangler, “Romney Fields Questions On King,” Detroit Free Press, 12/20/07)
In 1967, George Romney Was Praised At A National Civil Rights Rally For His Leadership. “Michigan Gov. George Romney walked into a Negro Civil Rights rally in the heart of Atlanta to the chants of ‘We Want Romney’ and to hear protests from Negroes about city schools. ‘They had invited me to come and I was interested in hearing things that would give me an insight into Atlanta,’ the Michigan Republican said. Led by Hosea Williams, a top aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the all-Negro rally broke into shouts and song when Romney arrived. ‘We’re tired of Lyndon Baines Johnson,’ Williams said from a pulpit in the Flipper Temple AME Church as Romney sat in a front row pew. ‘Johnson is sending black boys to Vietnam to die for a freedom that never existed,’ Williams said. Pointing to Romney, Williams brought the crowd of 200 to its feet when he said, ‘He may be the fella with a little backbone.’ Williams said Romney could be ‘the next President if he acts right.’ The potential GOP presidential nominee left the rally before it ended.” (”Romney Praised At Civil Rights Rally In Atlanta,” The Chicago Defender, 9/30/67)
Photograph: “Dr. Martin Luther King speaking to graduate student Laura L. Leichliter (center) and Michigan’s First Lady Mrs. Lenore Romney in February 1965.” (Instructional Media Center Collection At Michigan State University Archives And Historical Collections)
George Romney Fought Discrimination In Housing. “President Nixon tapped then Governor of Michigan, George Romney, for the post of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. While serving as Governor, Secretary Romney had successfully campaigned for ratification of a state constitutional provision that prohibited discrimination in housing.” (U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development Official Web Site, www.hud.gov, Accessed 12/19/07)
Photograph: “More than 100 angry white protesters balked at efforts by then-Housing Secretary George Romney, in car, to open their new neighborhoods to blacks.” (Gordon Trowbridge and Oralandar Brand-Williams, “A Policy Of Exclusion,” Detroit News, 1/14/02)
FACT: In 1965, George Romney Led A March In Michigan To Protest Selma.
In 1965, George Romney Led A Protest Parade Of Some 10,000 People In Detroit. “Rarely has public opinion reacted so spontaneously and with such fury. In Detroit, Mayor Jerome Cavanaugh and Michigan’s Governor George Romney led a protest parade of 10,000 people.” (”Civil Rights – The Central Point,” Time Magazine, www.time.com, 10/5/83)
- The Days Of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “In Detroit, Governor George Romney and Mayor Jerome Cavanaugh called for a march to protest what had happened in Selma.” (Jim Bishop, The Days Of Martin Luther King, Jr., 1971, p. 385)
FACT: Martin Luther King Jr. “Spoke Positively” About The Possible Presidential Candidacy Of George Romney.
In His Pulitzer-Prize Winning Biography Of Dr. King, David Garrow Notes That King “Spoke Positively” About The Possible Presidential Candidacy Of George Romney. “King spoke positively about the possible candidacies of republicans George Romney, Charles Percy, and Nelson Rockefeller. He also stressed the need for greater Afro-American unity, including reaching out to segments of the black community that were not committed to nonviolence.” (David J. Garrow, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, 2006, p. 575)
FACT: George Romney Attended King’s Funeral In 1968.
George Romney Attended King’s Funeral In 1968. “Vice President Hubert Humphrey represented the White House. Senator and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy; Mrs. John F. Kennedy; Governor and Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller of New York; the mayor of New York City, John V Lindsay; and Michigan’s governor, George Romney, were present.” (Octavia Vivian, Coretta: The Story of Coretta Scott King, 2006, p. 99)
- George Romney Joined Other Prominent Americans In Attending King’s Funeral. “Inside was the greatest galaxy of prominent national figures there had ever been in Atlanta at one time: Robert Kennedy, George Romney, Mayor Carl Stokes of Cleveland, Nixon, Rockefeller, Harry Belafonte, and an endless array of others equally as famous. Coretta Scott King, sitting with her family front and center in front of the casket, looked lovely and courageous and dignified in a black mourning veil.” (Franklin Miller Garrett, Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events, 1987, p. 517)
- After King’s Assassination, George Romney Declared An Official Period Of Mourning, Ordered All Flags To Be Flown At Half Staff And Said King’s Death Was “A Great National Tragedy.” “On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stood on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tenn., where he had gone to lead a civil rights march. The following day, Michigan Gov. George Romney declared an official period of mourning for King. The period extended through King’s funeral. Romney ordered all flags on public buildings to be flown at half staff and asked that the same be done on private buildings. Gov. Romney, in an official statement, said: “The assassination of Martin Luther King is a great national tragedy. At a time when we need aggressive nonviolent leadership to peacefully achieve equal rights, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities for all, his leadership will be grievously missed.” (”Rearview Mirror: Detroit Reacts To King’s Assassination,” The Detroit News, 4/4/07)
December 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Ann: the title of your piece is “Despite Accounts Otherwise George Romney did March with Martin Luther King Jr.” Even the Romney campaign is saying that this may not be true. Governor Romney the Elder had an excellent track record on civil rights; however, you distort and sully that record by using an untruthful title. Govenor Romney did NOT March with MLK in Grosse Pointe. MLK was only in Grosse Pointe once, 3 weeks prior to his assassination. I grew up in Grosse Pointe, so I know what I am talking about.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
This is a great post Ann Marie.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I have to say it seems that they are coming out in full force with petty things again. While searching Google news this morning they are trying to resurect the “porn at Marriott so Mitt supports porn” story. That included with this enjoyable tid bit is about enough to make me want to puke. I don’t know what they are afraid of but coming up with these pointless stories that do not reflect anything on Mitt is very pathetic and sad.
Not that I wasn’t expecting this to happen. I believe that after Mitt wins the primaries that it will ramp up to a whole new level from the left. Hang on folks, it’s gonna be a wild and fun ride.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
It sure is hard to argue with a preponderance of evidence. We appreciate your legwork and research to debunk the naysayers. Very useful…
December 20th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Thank you for this article. Now if only we could get the media to do some research of their own? Mitt Romney is the real deal, and this attack is simply stupid. Romney will over come this attack just like he has the other. He has my vote! Go Mitt!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
This does not state that Gov. Romney “marched” with King as previously stated by Romney.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Marching in support of is not the same as marching with, to say that they are is wrong. It is a game with words and everyone knows it, that’s stooping low to claim otherwise. It doesn’t matter what some journalist wrote, do you wish to be as poor at it as he was?
December 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that George Romney was a powerful and inspired civil rights activist. Nor is there any question that he led and participated in many protest marches in Michigan, including ones organized by Dr. King and the NAACP. So, at least “in spirit” he and Dr. King walked shoulder to shoulder and saw eye-to-eye on civil rights matters. However, I do not recall that they actually marched together, side-by-side, as your report claims without providing specific supporting evidence that they marched together. I would guess it was the march he led after Selma that caused Mitt to overstate slightly. The photo of that event in TIME was extraordinarily powerful: a sweating George Romney in shirtsleeves, the sole white face in a sea of smiling black faces. But thank you for giving us a rundown of some of the things George Romney did to support Dr. King in life and in death.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Where is the picture of George Romney with king? I would think you would have a real picture from the state archives if this was true, also his son would exploit the picture if this was the case. I know of the late George Romney and his son Mitt Romney and they don’t even have an interest in black folk. If Mitt Romney had any character, he would have shown up for the PBS Republican debates addressing Black America’s issues and concerns. We know where he stands, like the black community of Massachusetts know’s where he stands. He sure did not stand with the African American communities of Massachusetts he stood against them. Check out his history with the black community, in Boston’s Bay State Banner (black newspaper) archives.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Fact: Mitt never saw his dad march with MLK, as he asserted in the Texas speech and on Meet the Press.
If the campaign wants to say he was speaking figuratively, why are they still trying to prove it literally true?
Losing cause, all around.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
There’s no question that George Romney supported the Civil Rights movement. The honor he brought to the family with that principled stand has been sullied by his son’s attempt to exaggerate it for political gain.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Good job. I couldn’t believe the media jumped so quickly on a story that was flying around on blogs that hate Romney. Now it is clear that Romney did march with MLK.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
FALSE!
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid53200.aspx
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/NEWS07/712200442
Please don’t patronize us. I want facts, not “figurative” facts.
You did not do 1/3 the research these two publications did.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I’m 64 years old and for some reason I recall seeing George Romney and Doctor Martin Luther King marching together on television. I don’t know where the march was but my recollection is that in was in the south. It stayed in my memory because it seemed unusual, at the time, to see any white political leader joining in the cause in such a dramatic fashion.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
FYI, my dad used to work for Donnelly printing company in Chicago during that time. He worked the presses, printing out Time magazine. He distinctly remembers reading the news stories of Romney and MLK marching together. Maybe “Time” archives would be the place to look for photographic evidence, but he is 100% sure he read that coverage. He was very involved with the civil rights movement himself, so it rang a bell when he read about this issue this morning. He’s 74 yrs old now, and must have been in his early 30’s then.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
This is one of the most critical issues of our time — what happened in 1963 is crucial to the well-being of the nation.
Our current President has boldly taken a stance to reverse the misguided decision of the 1960s to allow people of color to freely participate in elections. In Flordia and Ohio, the Rove Justice Department looked away as the state officials disenfranchised tens of thousands of Negros. We must thank the Lord that Karl Rove and George W. Bush have taken steps to rectify the errors of the past.
God Bless George W. Bush.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Have you not noticed that your headline does not match your body copy, unless you have some alternative definition of “march” or “with” that I am not familiar with?
December 21st, 2007 at 12:41 am
Anderson Cooper of the Clinton News Network lies like a rug!! To say that George Romney never marched with Martin Luther King is pure fabrication. CNN better prove their accusation. This is stooping to new lows if you can get any lower than the CNN/Youtube Debate.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:08 am
Anyone who says Mitt Romney lied when saying he “saw” his dad march with MLK should go look up “see” in the dictionary.
see1 /si/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[see] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, saw, seen, see·ing.
–verb (used with object) 1. to perceive with the eyes; look at.
2. to view; visit or attend as a spectator: to see a play.
3. to perceive by means of computer vision.
4. to scan or view, esp. by electronic means: The satellite can see the entire southern half of the country.
5. to perceive (things) mentally; discern; understand: to see the point of an argument.
6. to construct a mental image of; visualize: He still saw his father as he was 25 years ago.
7. to accept or imagine or suppose as acceptable: I can’t see him as president.
8. to be cognizant of; recognize: to see the good in others; to see where the mistake is.
9. to foresee: He could see war ahead.
10. to ascertain, learn, or find out: See who is at the door.
11. to have knowledge or experience of: to see service in the foreign corps.
12. to make sure: See that the work is done.
13. to meet and converse with: Are you seeing her at lunch today?
14. to receive as a visitor: The ambassador finally saw him.
15. to visit: He’s gone to see his aunt.
16. to court, keep company with, or date frequently: They’ve been seeing each other for a long time.
17. to provide aid or assistance to; take care of: He’s seeing his brother through college.
18. to attend or escort: to see someone home.
19. Cards. to match (a bet) or match the bet of (a bettor) by staking an equal sum; call: I’ll see your five and raise you five more.
20. to prefer (someone or something) to be as indicated (usually used as a mild oath): I’ll see you in hell before I sell you this house. He’ll see the business fail before he admits he’s wrong.
21. to read or read about: I saw it in the newspaper.
–verb (used without object) 22. to have the power of sight.
23. to be capable of perceiving by means of computer vision.
24. to understand intellectually or spiritually; have insight: Philosophy teaches us to see.
25. to give attention or care: See, there it goes.
26. to find out; make inquiry: Go and see for yourself.
27. to consider; think; deliberate: Let me see, how does that song go?
28. to look about; observe: They heard the noise and came out to see.
—Verb phrases29. see about, a. to investigate; inquire about.
b. to turn one’s attention to; take care of: He said he would see about getting the license plates.
30. see after, to attend to; take care of: Will you please see after my plants while I’m away?
31. see off, to take leave of someone setting out on a journey; accompany to the place of departure: I went to the airport to see them off.
32. see out, to remain with (a task, project, etc.) until its completion: We decided to see it out, even if it meant another year.
33. see through, a. to penetrate to the true nature of; comprehend; detect: He quickly saw through my story.
b. to stay with to the end or until completion; persevere: to see a difficult situation through.
34. see to, to take care of; be responsible for: I’ll see to the theater tickets.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:29 am
OK, Eric… I’ll bite
So you brilliant defense there, would it hold up anywhere?
“Well your honor, when I said under oath that I ’saw’ that man rape that woman, I was telling the truth… I ‘visualized’ him doing it”
“Officer, when I said I had my driver’s license ‘with’ me, I merely meant I carried it spiritually. It was definitely on my mind as I was driving”
December 21st, 2007 at 5:21 am
If Mitt wanted to march with Black Americans and their leadership and asked to…they’d likely deny him. However, there are those in the African American communities that would love to march and stand hand-in-hand with Mitt Romney today.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:42 am
Wow Ann Marie..you have me beat…most of my work was for nothing…but I was able to find three other books that say that MLK and George Romney marched together…
see…http://www.occidentalvalues.blogspot.com/
December 21st, 2007 at 9:26 am
Thanks for this post, it soothed my soul. After work yesterday I drove home ticked off, asking “how could Mitt be so stupid?” Fortunately, he wasn’t. I blogged this article on my site: http://mydryfly.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/the-romneys-mlk-and-2008/
December 21st, 2007 at 11:03 am
So, let me see if I understand the criticism here. Those pushing this criticism admit that George Romney was a firm, long time supporter of Martin Luther King. He marched in many civil rights demonstrations throughout his life. MLK himself once proclaimed that Romney Sr. would make an excellent President. Romney Sr. even attended MLK’s funeral. Mitt Romney saw his father do all of these things and yet because George was not physically standing next to MLK at a single, specific rally, Mitt Romney is a liar. Wow. The opposition is not only desperate but venal and petty.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:38 pm
The anti-Mitt responders on here are a joke. It reminds me of 3rd grade. If this is truly the only things you’ve got then I’d like to be the first to congratulate Mr. President Mitt Romney into the White House. The best thing about it is watching the depression come over these nitpickers that really hate Romney for their own petty reasons. Mitt has the track-record and resume of a top American. The negative people on here probably work in government jobs and have amounted to jack-squat in their lives so they hide in the shadows and try to pull others down.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
But Romney has been his worst enemy in this other well run campaign with several odd statements from his claim to being a hunter to now seeing his father march with Dr. King. Romney has backtracked from his statements, but he needs to be better rooted in the responses he gives to questions and stop trying to give the perfect answer or the answer that will clear him of anything less than perfection. This is a minor controversy, but its a minor one that is going to be blown up since game time is almost a week away. He has to be better in his statements in the future (if he is nominated) otherwise he is going to sink his own ship. Talk about taking a page from his father!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Eric,
So did you nitpick over what “the definition of ‘is’ is” when Clinton was on trial? Or is it only nitpicking when it is against your guy?
December 21st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Today we learn that not only did Mitt tell an untruth about seeing his father marching with MLK, but that he also told the Boston Globe that he himself marched with MLK. I look forward to seeing you all parse that phrase in such as way as to suggest it is true.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:40 pm
SouthernStyle
You wrote, “If Mitt wanted to march with Black Americans and their leadership and asked to…they’d likely deny him. However, there are those in the African American communities that would love to march and stand hand-in-hand with Mitt Romney today.”
Has was asked to numerous times in Massachusetts he refused. He was asked to come to Baltimore with PBS and Tavis Smiley he refused. Let’s not go there unless you are willing to back it up.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:02 pm
POSTED AT THE PHOENIX and emailed to the Ronmey election website.
TIME FOR A RETRACTION FROM THE PHOENIX! Harper’s Magazine 1967 article by William V. Shannon. pg 60. http://www.harpers.org/media/pages/1967/02/pdf/HarpersMagazine-1967-02-0015313.pdf “When the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King marched in Detroit three years ago, Romney marched with him. He is proud that he helped write a state constitution that has the most comprehensive civil-rights guarantees in the nation, including open occupancy in housing.” Clearly, Mitt may be remembering what his father told him: unless you think this is a family conspiracy.
POSTED BY anonymousguy AT 12/21/07 3:38 PM
Your assertion: “the Phoenix can find no evidence that the senior Romney actually marched with King, nor anything in the public record suggesting that he ever claimed to do so. ” is PROVEN wrong- based on the Harper’s Article.
POSTED BY anonymousguy AT 12/21/07 4:04 PM
December 21st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
You need to look up the credentials of Tavis Smiley if you think that would be an acceptable forum. Like a Daniel in the Lion’s Den, I don’t know if Romney would have come out unscathed.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:35 pm
2007 was quite a year. We saw Giuliani get lambasted by critics, we saw people support Huckabee because he claimed to be the Christian candidate. We saw Romney get criticized because of his use of the word “saw”. (I actually didn’t see any of specific ocurrences with my own eyes–I wouldn’t call those lies or exaggerations).
But just in case, here are some living eyewitness accounts:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7524.html#commentsform
By the way, Romney is a public figure so a libel suit like someone suggested would be next to impossible to win.
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:14 am
He didn’t march with MLK jr. He just imagined he did. Even MLK jr., who admired George Romney, stated that Romney had not been there. Check the facts:
http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid53414.aspx
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:36 am
African American Political Pundit
I stand corrected–thanks.
I was thinking more in terms of a presidential Candidate…do you think anyone would ask Mitt now as he aims for the POTUS?
Did Gov. Romney explain why he didn’t/couldn’t march while he was the Gov?
What was the specific reason(s) or purpose of the marching during the Gov’s term?
Were there any special issues tha Gov stood against that related to the Marching Mass.?
Thanks again.
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Time magazine’s “The Page” blog provides similar research of contemporaneous reports:
They conclude:
“FACT: In The Summer Of 1963, Governor Romney Participated In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Freedom Marches” In Grosse Pointe, Michigan.”
“In 1963, George Romney Gave The Keynote Address At The Conference That Sparked The Martin Luther King ‘Freedom Marches’”
and:
FACT: As Governor Of Michigan, George Romney Fought For Civil Rights And Marched In Support Of Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1967, George Romney Was Praised At A National Civil Rights Rally For His Leadership. “Michigan Gov. George Romney walked into a Negro Civil Rights rally in the heart of Atlanta to the chants of ‘We Want Romney’”
Read it:
http://thepage.time.com/romney-campaign-on-george-romney-and-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
This tempest provides Mitt Romney with an inoculation and the blow back will provide a sympathetic response.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Romney would make a great president. Unlike the Democrats, who are tearing each other apart, the Republican candidates have been reasonably sane.
As for Hillary’s recent MLK comments, it was a careless choice of words, at best.
For those who have not yet heard this song on the radio, I’ll share it with you here.
If you need a song to put you in the right spirit for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, may I suggest this one?
It Only Hurts When I Cry:
A Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr BLT
http://www.drblt.net/music/ItOnlyDemo2.mp3