Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Speech in Grosse Pointe

In front of Grosse Pointe South High School on Fisher Road sits a historic plaque marking the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the school. Nearly 3000 people packed the school's gymnasium as King delivered his "The Other Americas" speech. ​Diana Hicks was working and living in Grosse Pointe at the time and recalls Dr. King's visit. She said the Alabama preacher wasn't welcomed into the predominantly white suburb with completely open arms. ​"I remember the controversy. There [were] those who were extremely upset because Grosse Pointe is kind of a private community and people don't want to be focused on," she said. ​The city of Detroit had just gone through the Summer Race Riots of 1967. Houses, cars, and businesses were burning to the ground and the National Guard was called in to help restore law and order. ​ Around the same time, the Grosse Pointe Human Rights Council voted 5-2 in favor of bringing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Grosse Point. The school board then secured a $1 million insurance policy on Grosse Pointe South High School to have the speech held there.