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Martin Luther King aide in Galway on JFK 50th

Rev Harcourt Klinefelter worked with King for two years before his death in 1968

Rev Martin Luther King jnr acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, DC, on August 28th, 1963. Photograph: AP
Rev Martin Luther King jnr acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, DC, on August 28th, 1963. Photograph: AP
Declan Rooney
Sat Nov 23 2013 - 01:00

A former aide to Dr Martin Luther King jnr said John F Kennedy had a profound effect on the US civil rights movement, during a speech in Galway to mark the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death.

Rev Harcourt Klinefelter, who worked with Dr King for two years before his death in 1968, said the former US president left a huge imprint on the civil rights battle and that the passing of the Civil Rights Bill shortly after his death was a testament to his work.

Kennedy is often accused of being a president who failed to back up his words with actions, but according to Rev Klinefelter the Bill was driven by Kennedy and merely edged across the line by his successor Lyndon B Johnson.

“There are so many things that can be said to honour this great statesman that was assassinated 50 years ago,” said Rev Klinefelter.

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“President Kennedy was a president whose words inspired a nation. He called for the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Bill in a speech on June 11th, 1963. He asked for legislation for all Americans to have the right to be served in all facilities: hotels, restaurants, theatres and similar establishments.

Also included was the protection of the right to vote in the Bill. “He called the leaders to the White House in late October 1963 to line up the necessary votes in the House to pass the Bill. The assassination of John F Kennedy changed the political situation.”