King has referred to this campaign as the "Washington Spring Project" and the "Poor People's March," which is reportedly being staged to pressure Congress into passing legislation favorable to the Negro. It is King's contention that the Government of the United States does not move until it is confronted dramatically. To add to the dramatic confrontation, King has boasted he and his entourage are coming to Washington to stay; that his followers will conduct sit-ins, camp-ins, and sleep-ins at every Government facility available, including the lawn of the White House. He has bragged that he will fill up the jails of Washington and surrounding towns.
Black Nationalist Terror
One serious danger in the confrontation lies in the proposed action of the black nationalist groups, which plan to attempt to seize the initiative and escalate the nonviolent demonstrations into violence.
King has met with black nationalists and attempted to solicit their support. Stokely Carmichael of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an extremist Black Nationalist organization, has conferred with King. Carmichael endorses the objectives of King and advises he will not oppose or interfere with the "Washington Spring Project's" plans for nonviolence. However, he also states his role will be governed by what SNCC decides.
King is aware of the possibility of violence because one of his aides proclaimed recently to the press, "Jail will be the safest place in Washington this spring." However, in spite of this potentially explosive situation, King continues his plans. He adroitly uses this possibility as a lever to attempt to pressure Congress into action by warning that the "Washington Spring Project" may be the last chance in this country for peaceful change with respect to civil rights needs.
