The riots that occurred after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 were the most extensive wave of civil unrest in the United States since the Civil War. Many people, especially in African American communities, saw the assassination of King as a devastating blow and a symbolic representation of the injustices and inequalities they faced daily. The riots that followed were an expression of anger, frustration, and desperation that had built up over years of racial discrimination, poverty, and police brutality.
However, whether the riots were justified or not is a matter of debate, and opinions on this issue vary widely. Some argue that the riots were a legitimate form of protest against a system that had long denied African Americans their basic rights and freedoms. They believe that the violence was a necessary response to the violence and oppression that African Americans had experienced for centuries.
Others argue that the riots were counterproductive and harmful to the cause of civil rights. They believe that the violence and destruction that occurred only served to reinforce negative stereotypes about African Americans and alienate potential allies. They also argue that the riots diverted attention away from the peaceful and nonviolent tactics that had been successful in the civil rights movement up to that point.
Ultimately, the question of whether the riots that occurred after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination were justified is a complex and contentious issue. While some argue that the violence was a legitimate response to systemic injustice and oppression, others believe that it only served to perpetuate a cycle of violence and harm the cause of civil rights.