Did Rev. King ever make a public statement about abortion?

[DerekG]

The Left has claimed King as one of its spiritual leaders; and rightly so, for--in the last three years of his life--Martin became quite radicalized, his ethos verging on a kind of Christian socialism.

I certainly know what his thoughts were on militarism, poverty, and racism (and how these aforementioned evils preserve capitalism). But what of the issue of reproductive rights, which has since moved to the forefront of the progressive agenda?

True, his murder predated the Roe v. Wade decision, but King certainly would have had something to say about abortion. Would he have favored its decriminalization, or would he have taken the same position as other Christian radicals (Dorothy Day, the Berrigan brothers, the Seamless Garment organization)--and been uncompromisingly pro-life even as he criticized the economic system that encouraged the practice?

Any King scholars lurking about?

[northzax]

1. why do you say he 'certainly' would have had something to say?

it simply was not as big of a public issue at the time. He'd probalby have something to say now, but why would he have commented publically then on something that wasn't a public issue of great interest? He probably never said anything aobut gay rights either. although there were certainly gay people then.

[DerekG]

3. The decriminalization of abortion wasn't discussed?

Roe v. Wade was a landmark case--I find it rather hard to believe that the religious community was mum about it.

On edit: The third paragraph in the OP was more of a query as to what King would have said had he lived into the 1970's. My apologies.

[genius]

2. A lot of religious people have mixed feelings. He would have probably

not taken a stand, figuring there were more important battles for him to fight and leaving that one to others.

[DemDogs]

4. His niece is not quoting him

His niece is preaching against abortion and says her uncle would have been against it, but the fact that she is not quoting him is pretty good evidence he never said anything against abortion.