king is speaking to his clergymen they are the audience because they felt kngs actions were unwise and untimely and he didnt want to loose their support. King writes them to explain why he decided to take direct action in the form of peaceful protest.These clergymen have also been highly critical of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "revolutionary" ideas. He writes to them in hope of reminding them that they have a moral obligation and duty to persuade them to joining his efforts.