The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, was a huge loss for the Civil Rights Movement.

Immediate Reactions:

• People all over the country were shocked and sad.
• Protests and riots erupted in more than 100 cities.
• Supporters felt lost without his leadership, which caused a lot of anger and frustration.

Impact on Activism:

• King’s death motivated many activists.
• Some became more extreme, wanting quick changes through stronger actions.
• Groups like the Black Panther Party grew larger as younger activists wanted to honor King's memory while also fighting against unfairness in a more direct way.

Legislative Changes:

• After his death, there was a new push to pass laws that protected civil rights.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was approved soon after.
• King’s example inspired many people to keep working for equality, even though the movement changed without him.

In short, King's death brought both chaos and motivation. It greatly influenced how civil rights activism would move forward.