King sentenced to hard labor

The sentencing of Martin Luther King Jr. to hard labor by Judge J. Oscar Mitchell garnered widespread attention across the nation. King received a four-month sentence and was transported to Georgia State Prison shortly after the ruling. This event raised significant concerns regarding King's safety, as he was placed among inmates convicted of violent crimes, many of whom were hostile to his civil rights activism. The political climate at the time was tense, with both major political parties vying for the support of Southern whites and their leaders, including Georgia's Governor Vandiver. The situation prompted a response from presidential candidates, highlighting the intersection of civil rights and politics during this period. Nixon, who had previously maintained a closer relationship with King, chose not to intervene despite a request from Jackie Robinson. In contrast, John F. Kennedy took a more proactive approach by contacting Governor Vandiver and enlisting his brother Robert to apply pressure on state