The first time the marchers were at the bridge, they were brutally beaten by police. As a result of this, a judge was planning on a court order that kept police from interfering with a protest if it happens to be peaceful (which is what MLK’s was). However, until the court order took effect, there was a restraining order placed on marching the week leading up to the court order. Thus, MLK decided not to march in order to not violate the restraining order.