MLK Jr.'s Niece Extols Slain Civil Rights Leader's Values, Pro-life Stance

Alveda King, the niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., says he would encourage the nation to get along if he were alive today.

In an exclusive interview with Newsmax in advance of the federal holiday today honoring the slain civil rights leader, she quoted a line from a speech her uncle made in St. Louis in 1964.

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,” said King, herself a minister and conservative pro-life activist.

“In the 21st century, I would say we need to be one human race loving each other even where we have faults,” she said.

King also talked about the pro-life stance of MLK Jr., who would have been 83 years old on his birthday Sunday but was assassinated nearly 44 years ago.

“I believe if my uncle were here, he would be encouraging the president to turn to the pro-life platform. My uncle was very pro-life. And certainly if he did not do that, my uncle would be praying for him, and perhaps giving his vote to other candidates.”

King told Newsmax that she supported businessman Herman Cain during his candidacy for president until he suspended his campaign. But now, she said, she supports any candidate who is pro-life. One stands out in her mind, and another hasn’t yet convinced her that he is truly pro-life, she said.

“I don’t mind telling you I like Rick Santorum. I like what he is saying, and so I would love to see him on that ticket.

“I’m not convinced that Mitt Romney is pro-life. I’m a little concerned. And that may be a question of me having to write in a candidate, including Mr. Santorum,” King said.