I must close now. But before closing I am impelled to mention one other point in your statement that troubled me profoundly. You warmly commended the Birmingham police force for keeping "order" and
"preventing violence." I don't
believe you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had
seen its angry violent dogs literally biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I don't believe you would so
quickly commend the policemen if you Yvould observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negroes
here in the city jail; if you would watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if
you would see them slap and kick old Negro men and young boys, if you would observe them, as they
did on two occasions, refusing to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together. I'm sorry
that I can't join you in your praise for the police department.

Does this except address issues that are still relevant today? What do you think has changed or hasn't
changed about police departments since the time King wrote this? Write at least three sentences.