Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer and activist. Known as the “King of Calypso,” he was an adamant supporter of the campaign for desegregation in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. He helped Dr. King and the other organizers raise funds so that the movement could bail protestors out of jail after they got arrested. He also put Dr. King in touch with many influential people in New York City, thus helping spread news of the movement to important figures in the North.
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Harry Belafonte Character Timeline in Why We Can’t Wait
The timeline below shows where the character Harry Belafonte appears in Why We Can’t Wait. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3: Bull Connor’s Birmingham
...campaign began in Birmingham, so they held a meeting in the apartment of the singer Harry Belafonte , who was an ardent supporter of the SCLC. He gathered 75 people to hear...
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In addition to the meeting at Harry Belafonte ’s apartment, the movement received support from multiple organizations. The NAACP even raised $75,000. Dr....
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Chapter 4: New Day in Birmingham
On Easter Sunday, Dr. King learned that Harry Belafonte had raised $50,000 for bail. Dr. King was overwhelmed with gratitude, feeling as if he...
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